The Observation Deck

For the last two years, our organization has participated in the Lakewood Arts Festival.

The first year we sold frozen push pops, it went well -but when some of us walked around the festival we noticed there was not a lot a kid could do.

So last year we decided to offer a free children’s craft.
We put up our awning and banner, had small tables and chairs, tons of foam and paper stickers, markers, and had a Make-Your-Own Bookmark for free to all the kids. It was a great success- we went through 250 bookmarks.

Last year, a group that was participating for the first time was next to us. They had a card table and the street bench turned around with their draped their banner over the back of it. The table was full of political brochures, bumper stickers, candidate signup sheets and a handwritten sign-Water $1.

This year we are both banned from participating in the Lakewood Arts Festival because of complaints about the other group. The two groups had one thing in common- both were political organizations.
We were very diligent and respectful of the rules and were assured by the city and a board member that we were not the reason for the ban- but none the less are not allowed to participate.

We are a civic organization, made up of Lakewood citizens

How is this different than Kiwanis, church groups, etc?

The Board members aren't listed any where I can find.

This is a great event and I was looking forward to it but...
Should one bad apple spoil the bunch?

Oh so are you denying that you had a huge Ryan Patrick Demro sign at your booth?

I talked to 5 people that worked in the booth that day and no one remembers there being a RPD sign in the booth at some point but it is not impossible. If there was a banner or a yard sign it could not have been huge and it couldn't be bigger than our banner. I am looking into my pictures that were on our old website to verify.

The facts remain- There was not one piece of anything for a candidate for any office from '06-from which the number was around 23. All of which I had in my car and could have brought out at any time...which I did not. I have more respect for the event and the organization than that. To my knowledge no one from the Arts committee or an event volunteer asked anyone to take anything down which would have rectified the situation immediately, as to not ruin the tone of the event.

Colleenn - I saw it and saw Ryan bringing it in.

As you looked at your booth from the street it was hangiing on the left hand side.

It was there, I saw, I discussed with some people and knew there was going to be denial.

And see, I was right.

I worked the booth that day. I was helping kids make bookmarks, I was not handing out political fliers. I don't remember the banner, but perhaps it was there. Big deal! He was/is a councilman and he was not running for office. It was an off year. The Lakewood Democrats were handing out literature and were not respecting the rules of the Art Festival. It is unfortunate that because they choose to disregard the rules, all political groups are now suffering. Say what you want about the LRO, we followed the rules!!! The same cannot be said for the Lakewood Democratic Club, perhaps if you want to point fingers you should be looking at them.

Danielle - I did not start this thread Colleen did.

I'm not saying you all did anything bad, I didn't say that you distributed literature, I said that a big Ryan Demro sign was hanging in your booth.

Wow.

Sharon,

So you say both booths...how would you compare the two?

Colleen

I'm not saying you all did anything bad, I didn't say that you distributed literature, I said that a big Ryan Demro sign was hanging in your booth.

Then what exactly is your point? You are correct the LRO followed the rules, the Lakewood Democratic Club did not. Whether or not their was a Demro sign really is a moot point. I'd just like a little clarification of why exactly that comment was made.

l. It is unfortunate that because they choose to disregard the rules, all political groups are now suffering.

that's the way it works. I had to find out the hard way when a select few hoodlems (I use that word because this will be about wearing hoodies) wore hoodies in school and ran off from the guards, and now everyone at LHS and the Middle Schools can't wear hoodies at all.

the other side of the situation is that if you stop the democratic club from passing out literature and let you, Demro supporters, pass out literature then it's not fair to the Dems.

So it was smart to just ban anything that has to do with city politics. It takes away from the artists as well.

My guess is that most people are there to see the wonderful paintings, graffiti, photos, glass work, sculptures, etc. and not the Red Army marching through like before the 4th of July Parade.

the other side of the situation is that if you stop the democratic club from passing out literature and let you, Demro supporters, pass out literature then it's not fair to the Dems.

No literature was passed out by the LRO. He wasn't running for anything so there was nothing to pass out.

We let kids make free bookmarks. The kids had a blast.

Once again so that everyone understands we weren't handing out literature. It's really unfortunate that some people feel they are above rules and ruin it for those that choose to follow the rules and it's obviously okay by many. I'll leave it at that.

It's my understanding that community arts festivals like Lakewood's are in a competitive environment in their own right. They compete for quality participants and I believe there is even a sort of judging or accreditation, is there not?

If the line between an arts festival and a county fair begins to get blurred by too many non-arts-related exhibitors, it hurts the entire enterprise. Velvet Elvises would have the same effect. Or so Im told. Could that be a reason why the board has been so touchy about things like political (or politicians) participating?

My dissappointment stems from the fact that we are a community driven civic organization who's intent was to positively contribute to the event and participate in our Lakewood community.

I just wish the situation had been nipped in the bud that morning.

We were not notified by the Board that we would not be able to participate until I called to ask.

If there were Elvis velvets or whatever, does the committee have an inspector for the booths to make sure they are complying with their application?

Colleen

For what it is worth, we have been shut out, and we give to Starry Night, and the Arts Festival.

Dead Horse Gallery was shut out from letting kids paint.

So you are not alone.

There are other venues nearly as large and much more fun.

I can think of one with two stages and 12 bands playing on Madison, August 18.

.

I contacted the Arts Festival in March, interested in possibly showing my photos, and no one ever contacted me...

David/Colleen

I have spoken with one of the principles in the Arts Festival. She made it clear that while she had no problem with the Republican Booth, she did with the Democracts. Pat Majeski does a wonderful job putting on this event, Standing ovation from me to her for her and her groups hard and very successful work.

Realizing that it was indeed a slippery slope, and a hard one to police, she went back to no political material at an arts festival.

David, there is a selection process, as there is limited space. You take great photos, but I fear you might be late. Try applying now for next year.

As I mentioned, The Observer has not been able to get a booth. The Sun Papers have been a long time supporter of the event, and they have a booth. We thank them for their support of this Lakewood event, and understand, and accept the policy.

The third largest event in Lakewood has booth space available, and who knows this year, it miight be the second largest event.

1) Fireworks
2) Arts Festival
3) Lakewood Car Show on Madison Avenue

.