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Home > Blogs > Things to do in Butler County > Archives > 2010 > September > 29 > Entry
Is Middfest really THAT expensive?
It seems that whenever I write about Middfest, at least one person complains about one thing in particular - the price. People don’t seem to like the idea of paying to get into a festival.
On one level, I can understand that. For a lot of festivals, there is no admission charge. And it may seem like a gyp to pay money to get in the door and then spend more money.
Another factor at work here may be history. I’ve been covering Middfest for 11 years. To the best of my memory, Middfest always asked for a fee for an entry badge. But in recent years, it seems they’ve been more aggressive about enforcing it.
But let me play devil’s advocate here. Is $5 really THAT much money? Especially when that charge is only for adults? How is that different from paying to get into, say, the Ohio Challenge or the Renaissance Festival, both of which have an admission, or at least a parking fee? The $5 is also good for all three days, so if you come back, you don’t have to pay again. And there is a lot to see Middfest. Whether one WANTS to see it all depends on your point of view, but there’s still a lot to see there.
Or is it a question of Middfest itself? I’ve heard it said that Middfest is “about as exciting as an outdoor library.” To those people, Middfest may be a little too PBS for their taste. Is Middfest simply not fun enough?
Just asking …
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Middfest International
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By Booger
September 29, 2010 12:58 PM | Link to this
YES, it’s EXPENSIVE! The $5 entry fee is not the problem - it’s the gouging at the vendors’ booths.
By Paul H
September 29, 2010 1:33 PM | Link to this
It used to be free. Then they started asking for a voluntary fee. Then they made it manditory and started blocking off streets. Just do a little more digging and you’ll see. I don’t pay for Octoberfest, the Pork Festival, the Saurkraut festival, Apple Days at Hidden Valley, I could go on. Frankly, with all the constant publicity that the Journal gives Midfest, they don’t need to advertise. Add that to the fact that the few times I did suck it up and pay to get in, it was but a shadow of what it once was in the 90’s. It’s just sad overall.
By Race24
September 29, 2010 1:46 PM | Link to this
It was a blast in the 90’s. But like all thing the times have caught up with it, I think with Oct being a big month for fall festivals, people go to where they can get the most for their money. Also the food vendors at Midfest are pricy, also their is not much to choose from. Also i don’t thonk every member of the family enjoys it. People are going to go to more family rounded events.
By robert mahue
September 29, 2010 1:46 PM | Link to this
Hy Paul, Why don’t you quite complaining and volunteer to help. What a cheapskate you must be. Food vendors are expensive everywhere. Been to a Red’s game lately? Your probably a shadow of what you were in the 90’s. You should stay home and watch some football with a nice cold Bud-light. No thinking required.
By bwilson
September 29, 2010 1:53 PM | Link to this
What a bunch of Whiners. Been to a movie lately?
By Race24
September 29, 2010 2:11 PM | Link to this
Yeah i love it when whiners get on here and whine about other stuff people put on here because just don’t agree, it amazing how many ignorant people in middletown they are, and before anybody says it, im already planning on getting out of middletown.
By Daffy Duck
September 30, 2010 2:58 AM | Link to this
$5 is a small price to pay to see actual, wild botswanan meerkats carrying baskets on their heads as they do in their native wilds (according to the journal story.)
By po boy
September 30, 2010 4:31 PM | Link to this
a lot of families in and around middletown can not afford the $5.00 entry fee, myself included. that $5.00 could go into the gas tank or pay for a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk. its amazing to me that a lot of people think that since they can afford to go to festivals and movies, that all others can afford the same thing. our family does enjoy the free activities around the area, but i’m sorry, we can’t afford the ones that charge us to enter the gates.
By null
September 30, 2010 5:47 PM | Link to this
I do not think this is too much to ask to pay $5.00. The problem is that it just seems to be the same food vendors with the same food every year, thesame people in the big tent trying to sell the same (china made) items. I think it is great to meet the people from other places and learn about them, maybe change the other things!! Middletown should have a Applachian fest, have someone teach you how to skin a animal, sell soup beans, cornbread and roast a hog. I bet people would have the money to pay to get in then!!!!
By cheap
October 1, 2010 11:22 AM | Link to this
How much beer and fried dough do you buy at all those “free” festivals? They’ll get you one way or another, because all festivals have expenses that must be covered. You have no right to free entertainment. Hold back on the curly fries, and you’ll be able to pay the $5 admission.
By @ Cheap
October 1, 2010 11:55 AM | Link to this
Cheap, the free pork festival doesn’t serve beer. The free Kraut festival doesn’t serve beer either, hell the Kraut festival is even in a dry county.
By Politically Correct
October 1, 2010 2:47 PM | Link to this
Gyp, Really Eric. Why didn’t you just use any other term like Jew’d out of money… I guess some people still have no reservation for racism.
By Middie Mom
October 2, 2010 12:00 AM | Link to this
As long as they keep charging for people to go in look around and maybe spend some money I will not go, no matter what country is there.
By Walter Brewster
October 2, 2010 11:00 AM | Link to this
No matter where I look, I have yet to find the location of this event listed anywhere.
By Mark
October 2, 2010 4:06 PM | Link to this
They should change the name to Yawn-Fest. Who cares about Boatswanna. Give me an old fashioned October Fest and I’ll bet the streets would be lined with people. I went last night, what a joke. Maybe 700 people, 4 food booths ? Give me a break about Midfest, it has seen better days.
By TC
October 3, 2010 7:45 AM | Link to this
Since when has Warren County been a “DRY” county? Besides why does everyone think that you have to have beer to have a good time. I pity you all.
By JRZee
October 4, 2010 11:05 AM | Link to this
Middfest you don’t get what you pay for. 1. Food too expensive (maybe they have to charge a lot to pay Middfest the rent) 2. Scale the thing down. No need to fill out the plaza all the way to Manchester, not much going on. 3. MORE FOOD VENDORS 4. OFFER A VARIETY OF BEERS (check into Beerfest at Jungle Jim’s) 5. Keep the entertainment closer to the themed country. 6. Have more retail vendors that use products from the themed country. 7. Don’t charge $2 for ugh DIET RITE cola. Yes you pay more at the Renaissance Festival and Red’s game, but you get more as well. Truthfully though Middfest should stick a fork in itself, it is done.