By Pepper Parr
June 10th, 2106
BURLINGTON, ON
One of the pleasures of walking along Lakeshore Road is experiencing the breeze coming in off the lake, seeing the horizon stretch to the edge of the earth and from time to time see a ship heading for the canal and into Hamilton harbour or leaving the bay and heading for destinations unknown.
A stroll along Lakeshore Road offers a view of the pier and the lake and the ships that steam in and out of Hamilton harbour. But what is that bit of screening on the right hand side?
During the year there are various events that take place –Canada Day; the Rib Fest, Children’s Festival and the annual Sound of Music.
For those moving about the city and walking along Lakeshore road the music can be heard and one can, normally, look at the crowds and plan to drop in on what is for the most part a fee free event.
But things are changing with the Sound of Music – and there are now ticketed event. Sponsorships doesn’t appear to cover all the costs.
That’s business – the volunteers that make the Sound of Music happen each year have to manage the event as best they can.
Long stretches of screening block the view of Spencer Smith Park and the lake. What are people doing behind that screening – and why is it place ? The park and the lake are public – totally public.
But putting screen up so that people can’t see the lake because there is a ticketed event taking place? Where do they get permission to do that?
The view of the lake is public – who lets a screen go up.
There are fences to prevent entrance into ticketed events – that’s acceptable but a screen to block the view?
Exactly, let’s talk about how people come from all over and how over crowded the SOM is to the point of dangerous overcrowding where even the police get worried.
Oh come on. It’s temporary. Lots of ways to still see the lake. Can’t we instead talk about how people came from all over to experience our beautiful city last night, dined in our restaurants, shopped in our stores, and about how this ticketed concert helps keep the event next weekend free for everyone?
I don’t know where the writer has been, but the screening is nothing new. Probably 5 years now,at least that its been installed, prior to that it was sponsor signs.There are controlled access points for security.
Personally,I avoid the SoM fest, now. None of the bands interest me, sign of older age, I guess.The Lake will still be there afterwards.
Editor’s note:
That would be five years too long