I picked a fight with security at Celebrate Lincoln tonight. I probably should explain.
The Wilsons went down to Celebrate Lincoln for supper and a good time. Celebrate Lincoln isn't an inexpensive affair. Just getting in the door cost us $24. Nevertheless, we had some fun. And those spicy lentils and injera I got from the African stand? Delish. But I digress.
Right before we left my parents bought the kids some ice cream. The two youngest didn't finish theirs, so we put the lids on the handy plastic dishes and prepared to leave. That's where security comes into the picture.
As we approached the gate we noticed the security guard stopping the people in front of us from leaving. I didn't see why, but I soon found out because he stopped us for the same reason.
"Sorry kids, I can't let you leave with those," he said to my kids. He pointed to the ice cream containers they were carrying and added "No food or drinks can come in or go out".
That was news to me. "Wait," I said. "I understand not bringing food in, but you're saying we can't take this ice cream out?"
"That's right," the guard said.
"Is that in the rules?" I asked as I pointed to the list of rules posted a few feet away.
"I don't know," he replied.
I moved a bit to get a better view and I scanned over the list. You can see the rules for yourself. The rules mention not leaving with opened containers of alcohol (as is standard), but nothing about leaving with other food or beverages.
"Look for yourself. The posted rules don't say anything about it, therefore I didn't agree to those terms when I paid to get in. We're leaving with the ice cream."
"I can't let you do that," he replied as he took a defensive posture in front of the exit.
"Look," I said, "this is silly. What's going to happen if we leave with the ice cream?"
"I don't know, but you can ask my boss". He pointed behind me. I don't know if he meant to or not, but his finger pointed at two police officers. Perhaps his boss was standing behind them. Or perhaps he was trying to intimidate me. I don't know.
I looked back at the guard. "I'll tell you what. If your boss wants to talk to me, he's welcome to follow me outside for a chat." And with that I gathered up the family and we walked around the guard and through the exit. Nobody followed us, as far as I know. I've got the dog posted at the window to watch for the SWAT team.
I'm not sure what the moral of this story is. I hated to be obstinate with the guard -- who, I want to emphasize, was polite the entire time -- but I was in no mood to obey a stupid rule that I didn't agree to when I paid my 24 bucks to get in. And it really is a stupid rule. I've never been similarly barred from exiting Ribfest, or the State Fair, or any other event. Why shouldn't I be able to wander the streets of Lincoln with my ice cream, or hot dog, or bottle of Coke? I paid an inflated price for it -- plus admission! Ain't I entitled to take it home with me?
I'm curious if GoLincolnGo is aware that this rule was being enforced at their event. My guess -- my hope -- is not. I hope it was merely the misguided policy of a rogue security supervisor. Maybe he misread the rules. For example, maybe he took part of Rule 6, which covers booze, out of context (" Opened containers may not leave the festival site and we do not want to make our safety and compliance officers nervous.")
But if this was an official GoLincolnGo policy being carried out ... well, you won't find The Wilsons at one of their events any time soon.
Comments
See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.
I tried to go over Friday for lunch and left over the $6 cover. Remember Haymarket Haydays? When you could pay to see the band, but the rest was just good family wondering around… GoLincolnGo is the lamest thing I’ve ever heard. Congrats again on your stance!
Why let them choose their own title? They arrogate all that might be called “security” for themselves, leaving just fear/obey to those who attend the event.
Bully is the more appropriate term.
I liked the Flatwater Festival. Downhill ever since.
I think they should drop admission down to $2, even if that means an increase in food/drink prices. As it stands now, that admissions fee is enough to deter me from entering at all (outside of the free Friday lunch admission).
The most amazing thing in this story is that there is an entity that people are supposed to take seriously called GoLincolnGo. I remember hearing about that a couple years, ago, thinking it was an April Fool’s joke or something like that.
Comments like this are why we need a “Like” button.
If that was the case, I would have liked your comment.
Maybe this was a different event, but in the past didn’t they just make you buy $6 worth of tickets at the door, which you could then spend on food? $6 a person just to get in seems like an awful lot. (and is why I never go to these things.)
Formerly Updowntowners, I think.
Share your thoughts with the community.
Commenting is no longer permitted on this post.