Monday, September 03, 2007

Hopping Mad

Sorry bit of a non story this from a 1st person report:

Now the Weasel is normally the leader in all things liquid, but for a number of reasons (including a raging hangover) he missed this years festival of yeast, barley and hop at the Irish Village.

Just as well by the sound of it: according to all who went the place descended to a near riot on Friday as thousands of people tried to force their way into a tent built for 500. 7 days quoted a couple of the organisers blithely blaming the punters for all the problems.

Last year there were large queues and while there was some rowdiness all seemed to pass off well but surely they could have anticipated a bigger turnout this year? I know Summer is always a gamble for a promoter but it is the first week of term now and most people were back in town, the Weasel would have laid cash that this was going to be a big event.

So whats the answer? Obvious is to sell tickets but this is Dubai and no-body buys tickets in advance, especially not just for a piss-up, they simply arrive. Bigger tents might help but space becomes an issue as does cooling etc

But really what we need is more things to do in summer, now that's radical, trying to convince promoters there are a lot of us still here despite the heat, might save this small furry mammal from tearing his hair out all summer.