Comments on: 2011 Tulip Fest booze restrictions draw ire of some, but is it justified?

By: Albany native

Albany native — Sat, 07 May 2011 02:16:30 +0000

Maybe it’s my advanced age, but Tulip Fest was around a lot longer than the excess consumption of beer/booze that has happened in the last few decades. The 70’s were known for excess everything, but the Tulip Fest, and the Kinderkermis (sp?),just for the kiddies, made it much more family friendly than it has been, recently. This festival has been around for a long time. Before Center Square rose up and became a great address. Way back, everything along Lark St was a poverty address. The bars were dives (except for the Lark Tavern). I’m glad they’re reigning it in. Hey, I did my share of partying in the 70’s, but Tulip Fest was always for families. I was sad to have seen it change to a drunken bash, like most festivals, now, in the city. I was at the first several Lark Fests, too, and realized it had changed when a drunk person threw another drunk person through a plate glass window around 7 years after the first one. We’ve got to get a handle on Lark Fest, now, if only for our city’s reputation.

Ok, I know I sound old, but old brings wisdom, sometimes! Tulip Fest needs to be taken back by people who don’t look forward to getting as polluted as one can get in the shortest amount of time. Let’s get the kids back, bring back the Kinderkermis and let’s have a great time.

By: jakester

jakester — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 19:01:37 +0000

Bob, well said, exactly. Some of the crap goes wit hliving in a city, especially in that area of this city… doen’t mean any of the conduct is right.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 15:13:25 +0000

I don’t drink. I don’t have a problem with people who do. I do have a problem with people who feel the need to get wasted whenever they go out.

TulipFest is supposed to be a celebration of Spring, not a frat party. Going to TulipFest to get drunk is idiotic. Those who do it are a disgrace to their family, town, state and country.

In regards to those who live around the park, I sympathize but it’s a double edged sword. Yes – you should be able to live there without the neighborhood getting trashed. People should be civilized enough to put trash in its place and not destroy the area.

On the other hand – you chose to live there. Bitching about it is silly. You’re a stone’s throw from one of the worst areas in Albany to boot.

By: Alison Coleman

Alison Coleman — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:53:51 +0000

As President of the Washington Square Neighborhood Association in Albany, I speak for many who dread the big Washington Park events that result in damaged trees, piles of garbage, people relieving themselves in our alleys and flowerpots and various other drunken behavior. It’s like clockwork here…Tulipfest and Lark Festival…times to stay home and guard the house. Cleanup takes days and is not provided by the City. We support any limitations on alcohol use in public, open containers, out-of-control behavior by patrons leaving bars, etc. It is a challenge to make Albany an attractive enough place for people to want to stay in or move to.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:11:57 +0000

I think there will be more fights this year. As said earlier people with “pre-game” which is consuming large amounts of alcohol in short amount of time. Just as many people are going to go but won’t be relaxed and watching the band with a beer in hand. It’s a lot easier to throw a punch when you don’t have anything in your hand.

By: Roz

Roz — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 11:44:14 +0000

After reading this post and some of the comments, I wouldn’t go near Tulip Fest without either a major weapon or a couple of big men. I’ve gone to metal shows alone and had no trouble at all, too.

Alcohol. It brings out the a-hole in everyone. I completely concur with comment #14. Albany is an Alcoholic City.

By: Mickey

Mickey — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:45:02 +0000

Drunks in Albany. Just like William Kennedy’s Depression Era novels.
There’s nothing even remotely cool or romantic about it. It’s pathetic.

If Jennings had half a brain, he’d blanket the area with police pinching every single underage drinker and rowdy perp of disorderly conduct. I can think of about 100 better things to do on a weekend in May than hang with a crowd of derelicts passing tables with overpriced schlock for sale and gorging myself on wildly overpriced fast food carbo bombs and rotgut bathtub swill, but hey, perhaps I’m just an elitist. Civilize yourselves, Albany or the dollars will flee your sad little City faster than you can say “corruption”.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:20:17 +0000

I live in Center Square so for me, my wife and friends this isn’t such a big deal because we can just drink at home. I’m not going to boycott Tulip Fest but I’ll definitely spend less time (and less money on food, crafts, etc.) there. The concerts are just more enjoyable with a beer in hand. And the beer tent isn’t for me – I like to drink good, micro brews, not the crap beer they’ll be serving. $6 for a Coors Light? I’ll pass.

I’ve lived in Albany for a few years now and it always seems like it’s the underage kids throwing up, passing out and getting into fights. I know Tulip Fest is a huge event and it’s probably a logistical nightmare (not to mention the man power issues), but isn’t there some way to restrict the alcohol intake of the younger kids and leave the rest of us alone? Couldn’t they just set up “alcohol” check points at a few entrances to the park? If you to bring in beer, you’re ID’d and given a wrist band. Anyone caught drinking without the band gets a ticket. Seems simple enough but maybe I’m wrong.

By: LM

LM — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:11:09 +0000

I don’t see any problem with drinking in a restricted area. People have to do that when they go to bars. It sounds like a happy medium.

By: jakester

jakester — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:43:37 +0000

They had to do the same thing in Troy for Uncle Sam Day… limit booze to one area. It’s gotten to the point wher eif you don’t, it’s an excuse for the drunks to ruin the day for just about everyone else.

I think that’s the hook for some of these events, public intoxication is allowed for the day. I remember one of the first Tulip Fests I took my kids to years ago… parts of it were very nice and parts were pretty nasty/scarry. Pit bulls with their gang member looking owners and drunks out numbered the regular people in some areas.
Haven’t been back since…