FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE IS BACK THIS SUMMER

[AQUAMAN]

Come one, come all. See the terrific events of the DDA's Friday Night Live activities. Yes, they're back again, and in full swing starting tonight. I did make a brief visit, at the westerly end for about 1/2 hour. The HOF ice cream truck was blowing it's semi horn for all to come get free ice cream, your choice free in pint boxes, butter pecan or vanilla. I chose the first, tasty, and managed to finish the pint due to the extreme heat today. Looking over my shoulder I noticed his Honor, John Henderson, taking advantage of the free samples of focaccia. Next he went for the ice cream, joined by CC Castonia and both wives. Such good calories, and such good fun. Even the Badger train was there taking kids on rides around the arena. So, if you're in town on Fridays for the next 5 weeks or so, don't forget the extravaganza of good times. I guess some bands were also ready to play later, but I didn't have time this day. Look for Heather and Nick too, they must be in the crowd somewhere.......lol.

[XLFD]

Enjoy the bacchanalia for the next three friday nights as well, all brought to you FREE by your local tax dollars.

Wonder whether there is a public payment out of the DDA funds for the ice cream this year?  Unlike the Freedom Festival, you really have to ask who's buying the free stuff at Friday Night Live.

Nice to hear that the Mayor is minding his calories, I downloaded the picture you took of him at the FNL.  Finally, he's changed out of that red shirt, LOL.

[AQUAMAN]

Forgot my camera in the excitement, actually, he was wearing the SOS Badger shirt, and tan shorts, complete with dirty socks and old shoes, police radio, microphone on the shoulder strap, sidearm, and tazer gun, looked like he was ready for a stalker attack....................lol. I'll try to get a shot next time around.

[Sweater Cows!]

Took my big black Myles down for some socialization and he managed to mooch two big spoonfuls of ice cream from a stranger on the street. A dog after my own heart, a pro food mooch like his mom. lol. And when we were standing in line for the balloon animals he kept creeping closer to the lady ahead of us and trying to nose at her bag of cherries she was holding.

 

Oh and the kid had fun in the bounce houses, although we didn't get any ice cream, I did hear due to the trash issue that HOF was not handing out ice cream at the parade and instead was at FNL.

 

I think FNL is pretty cool.

[Sweater Cows!]

[Sweater Cows!]

[Willy]

Lando

How does one post a photo on a comment such as the photos you posted here? I still haven't figured it out.

[Guidothesemipsuedocaptitalistpig]

Willie when you open a reply box the second icon at the top of the box if you hover your mouse over it says image. Click on this icon and it will ask you where the image is on your machine.

[Willy]

Thanks Guido

[XLFD]

Here's the problem with Friday Night Live, which is, as Lando points out, a cool event:  Friday Night Lie

As I said back then in the comments:  "There are a lot of people who do volunteer their time and property to make FNL successful, and I think the business community and the Ludington label may receive a benefit from FNL.  

My major points in this article is to ask:

1)  why we use taxpayer dollars to buy buns, water, soda pop, t-shirts, etc. when the proceeds from the sale of those products do not go back into the program?  Where does the money go?  Full financial records shows it gets lost somewhere.

2)  why doesn't City Hall ever tell the public how much this event costs them, and yet publicizes it as a free event, when it is far from it?

3)  why can't we adapt a privately-funded FNL to replace this poorly-fiscally-managed public affair?  If FNL is managed by the Jaycees or similar all-private group, we will find whether this expense is worth it."

 

Since that article has appeared, none of those questions have even tried to be answered.  But remember that 5% tax imposed on motels, inns, et. al. earlier this year in April, that increased the marketing budget for the Ludington Convention and Visitors Bureau by $230,000.  The following is from the Ludington DDA meeting for March. 

We have discussed that previously, in the forums  CVBs New 'Tax'.  If FNL is such a boon to the Ludington area, why can't just 5% of that marketing budget increase go to fund FNL, thus getting public funds out of the picture?  Perhaps because our political leaders cannot then claim credit for the event, which had been going on in Traverse City since 1992-- without public funding by all indications (though I am trying to confirm that fact).

[Willy]

Good points XLFD. I wonder why this event is held on Friday night. It would seem that Saturday evening would be a better choice. On Friday, many locals are winding down from the work week and cannot attend while many tourist may still be in transit or settling in after just arriving. A Saturday night live seems to be a more convenient day for this gathering and would bring in more participants.

[Sweater Cows!]

I think for a lot of people Saturday night is "bar/Date/Movie/Family night" and would have much less(or different crowd) of a turnout. Friday for FNL is an early thing to do without having to get dressed up, a person can go straight from work and get the kids out for some inexpensive and short lasted fun and home to bed relatively early.

A SAt. production would require it starting later and going much later and draw a different more 'out on the town' crowd.

[Willy]

Saturday night live can start anytime because most folks are not working and the tourist are looking for something to do. Those that go to a bar are mostly singles anyway. Friday night live is more of a family gathering so why see a movie when you can have "family night" on Saturday night live. I sure am curious as to how the folks that put Friday night live together decided on Friday night.