Italian festival moving to Akron

Being the first to leave a comment about this, I would have to say that it's disappointing to have seen this happen. This is one of the only festivals in the Falls that retains a 70% authenticity to the festival's name. There's a running joke, locally, that we could just name the festivals #1,#2,#3, etc., due to the fact of the same vendors always showing up, regardless of the festival name. To the credit of the Italian Festival, it was truer to its name than most other festivals in the Falls.

I've stated this once before, in another forum, that the Portage crossing is going to hinder future festivals, due to the lack of alcohol continuity from north side to the south side of any future festivals. I know the "usual groups" who will say this is a good thing, making it more family friendly, the bottom line is those exact people rarely come out to the festivals. Time is going to tell with this one.

With the (musical) decline of Rockin' On The River (ROTR), once again due to Lock 3 competition, and the 2009 economy, it's going to be interesting to see what will make it. I believe this is the beginning of a shift of festivals migrating from Cuyahoga Falls to the downtown Akron area.

Yet, a word to the new venue home coordinators. If you cannot keep the panhandlers in the downtown Akron area at bay, you may find yourself losing the newly acquired festivals back to the Falls. I would quickly pass legislation at city hall to designate the downtown area to be panhandling-free, issuing fines and jail time to those who violate the law.

Good idea, regarding the panhandlers. I don't know how enforeable that would be, but it might help.

Forget the panhandlers, worry about the saggy pants "bastards" that troll CrAkron. These vagabionds are enough reason to not go near downtown CrAkron. Last 4th of July was my last time to go near the downtown area. They had a police command bus, and mounted patrol. They were needed after the fireworks the crowd grew from 3-4 black youths to about 50 in no time. My wife and kids ran ahead of me as there was a breakout and police were everywhere, busting knuckleheads, and dispersing the crowds. That was the last straw. The ignorant Italians went for the money, the Don Plusquelly character gave them and now they will pay with a huge loss in numbers of attendees. They will go back to the Falls where everyone can feel safe and secure. Robard should make them pay to come back.

Tom_Action wrote:

its the blacks that ruin everything (@@) Weeeehooohaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations on registering. Also, congratulations on waiting until your second post to write something racist.(Of course, I haven't seen your first post so its only an assumption on my part that you waited until your second post.)

Francis wrote:

Forget the panhandlers, worry about the saggy pants "bastards" that troll CrAkron. These vagabionds are enough reason to not go near downtown CrAkron. Last 4th of July was my last time to go near the downtown area. They had a police command bus, and mounted patrol. They were needed after the fireworks the crowd grew from 3-4 black youths to about 50 in no time. My wife and kids ran ahead of me as there was a breakout and police were everywhere, busting knuckleheads, and dispersing the crowds. That was the last straw. The ignorant Italians went for the money, the Don Plusquelly character gave them and now they will pay with a huge loss in numbers of attendees. They will go back to the Falls where everyone can feel safe and secure. Robard should make them pay to come back.

Was their race that significant?

this is craptopix let this stupidass register under my name .i will be emailing them (right now !!!(@@)

Tom Action wrote:

this is craptopix let this stupidass register under my name .i will be emailing them (right now !!!(@@)

Your "imposter" charade is sad and pathetic.

wow..you have wop festivals in Akron?....in new york they call them "criminal court cases"....how interesting...

Francis wrote:

Forget the panhandlers, worry about the saggy pants "bastards" that troll CrAkron. These vagabionds are enough reason to not go near downtown CrAkron. Last 4th of July was my last time to go near the downtown area. They had a police command bus, and mounted patrol. They were needed after the fireworks the crowd grew from 3-4 black youths to about 50 in no time. My wife and kids ran ahead of me as there was a breakout and police were everywhere, busting knuckleheads, and dispersing the crowds. That was the last straw. The ignorant Italians went for the money, the Don Plusquelly character gave them and now they will pay with a huge loss in numbers of attendees. They will go back to the Falls where everyone can feel safe and secure. Robard should make them pay to come back.

While I appreciate your honesty in sharing your experience, let the facts just be the facts. Gangs are not always comprised with just one race of people. Evil people are always going to do evil things, regardless of their skin color.

Being that I live close to the festival area in the Falls, I can tell you that there's no difference between the cities regarding unruly youth. They're in all shapes, sizes, and races. Now to be fair, just like in the days when I would dress new wave or metal, the youth typically are trying to identify with a culture. That's fine with me. Some go the route of Trendy Wendy-style fashions where other dress to the extreme. It's what they like to wear.

Now, the problem comes when the youth think that they have to uphold a certain attitude with the style of clothing. In the extreme case of the Trendy Wendys, credit cards are going to be maxxed out at the local malls. In the case of the the extreme, you can encounter what you did in Downtown Akron with your family. In each instance, it's a group mentality that is more the issue. And to be fair, enter Chapel Hill mall on any given day and you'll see the mixture of the different cultures.

I guess what I'm trying to get down to is that it's a choice for us to attend events. And if this type of problem remains with the events, you're going to send a bigger signal to the organizers by not going and spending your money there. Money talks, always! Bad publicity will follow.

I'm going to give Akron a chance to prove that they can create a friendlier downtown. If they cannot, then there's no festival that will profit without people. Akron has its work cut out for them.

JimmMotyka wrote:

With the (musical) decline of Rockin' On The River (ROTR), once again due to Lock 3 competition, and the 2009 economy, it's going to be interesting to see what will make it. I believe this is the beginning of a shift of festivals migrating from Cuyahoga Falls to the downtown Akron area.

I have to disagree. I went to every ROtR this past summer and last year and the bands have gotten better! As for decline, I doubt you know what you are talking about because ROtR has been packed every Friday that it has been going on, especially since they moved it up to the present location a few years ago. Plus the crowd is a lot better than what you might get in downtown Akron on any given day.

So I guess I'm from Mentor today? It was Cleveland yesterday. Far cry from Barberton!!! My IP address moves around more than my ex-girlfriends!

I'll give the Italian festival a try downtown. I did enjoy it in the Falls though, they have a nice location there.

You know, every time I think I might be getting a little too sensitive about racism, the people of Akron come to my rescue.

In this thread, I myself have been referred to as ignorant, criminal and a wop (that one several times). To call an Italian-American a wop is patently offensive.

And I see that Francis just couldn't wait to stir the pot with that nonsense about black gangs at the fireworks last year. It was just kids being kids, Franny. Black kids are allowed to be loud and obnoxious too.

So now you've ensured that I'm not going to just shut up about the racism here. I'm going to keep pointing it out and shaming you and annoying you until it stops.

RU Kiddingme wrote:

You know, every time I think I might be getting a little too sensitive about racism, the people of Akron come to my rescue.
In this thread, I myself have been referred to as ignorant, criminal and a wop (that one several times). To call an Italian-American a wop is patently offensive.
And I see that Francis just couldn't wait to stir the pot with that nonsense about black gangs at the fireworks last year. It was just kids being kids, Franny. Black kids are allowed to be loud and obnoxious too.
So now you've ensured that I'm not going to just shut up about the racism here. I'm going to keep pointing it out and shaming you and annoying you until it stops.

I'm with you on the "wop" comments, not cool.

However, I saw some of the shenanigans downtown on July 4th. There was some real gang violence, not just "kids being kids."

ok ok..wop is passe'..how about guenea?

RU Kiddingme wrote:

You know, every time I think I might be getting a little too sensitive about racism, the people of Akron come to my rescue.
In this thread, I myself have been referred to as ignorant, criminal and a wop (that one several times). To call an Italian-American a wop is patently offensive.
And I see that Francis just couldn't wait to stir the pot with that nonsense about black gangs at the fireworks last year. It was just kids being kids, Franny. Black kids are allowed to be loud and obnoxious too.
So now you've ensured that I'm not going to just shut up about the racism here. I'm going to keep pointing it out and shaming you and annoying you until it stops.

Now let the posts begin saying that anytime you disagree with someone you cry "racism." Its the classic defense for the racists: Say something patently offensive and then when called on it scream "There you go again 'playing the race card.'" Karl Rove has absolutely destroyed civil discourse in this country.

Daniel in Hobbs wrote:

ok ok..wop is passe'..how about guenea?

Have the decency to spell your pejoratives correctly. The "guineas" deserve at least that much respect.

watch it Hobbs theya mighta bomba youa housa (@@)

Tom Action wrote:

watch it Hobbs theya mighta bomba youa housa (@@)

Its no wonder you are such good friends with Starry.

Norm Deplume wrote:

<quoted text>
Now let the posts begin saying that anytime you disagree with someone you cry "racism." Its the classic defense for the racists: Say something patently offensive and then when called on it scream "There you go again 'playing the race card.'" Karl Rove has absolutely destroyed civil discourse in this country.

Good one! How about when someone states FACTS that the race card gets used? I've seen that scenario go around many times, especially when someone mentions "thugs" ruining the streets of Akron......I expect the race card to come flying out soon on this post too.