Rant about Skyfire disorganisation

We made the same mistake last year, but have learnt a lesson since. We no longer go to Regatta Point. We now go and sit in front of the National Gallery, much easier and safer with kids. We arrived at 8.10pm (fed and toiletted, hehe), enjoyed the fireworks and off we went. Regatta Point is just crazy – when we were there last year, there were 2 families having a fight and my kids learnt some new colourful vocabulary. The crowd in front of the NGA was much more civilized.

jasere said :

vg said :

You took your newborn to where fireworks and a low flying fighter jet were to be?

Way to go Parent of the Year

+1

Did I go to the same Skyfire? My Family and I had a great time at the National Museum and my son loved it Age 3 can’t stop talking about the F18. Picnic with friends no hassle getting out no drunk teens was a top night.

btw OP I’m no expert but why bring 3 kids out to an event like skyfire and not bring food/snacks for them maybe no room in the esky after the bundy and cokes parenting fail.

So, are you guys saying that because she’s had a baby and should be confined to the house? The other kids in her family just have to suck it up? I don’t understand the difference you are seeing between someone bringing a baby, and you bringing your toddler.

Did it occur to you that maybe with three kids (one of them a newborn) the OP may have been a bit pressed for time to prepare nutritious snacks, especially as she was expecting to be able to buy food there? Or possibly that she was using the event as a treat for the children, and allowed them to eat out? Of course it didn’t. You’re too busy puking hammers.

Back when we used to go to Skyfire, we expected huge crowds and planned accordingly, where to park the car, what to bring (everything). I guess the OP shows there’s a market for some kind of premium area, like those special seats at the movies with waiter service, for people who need to be treated like special people.

The Kaos Klan found this year to be a lot better than previous years. We parked the kaosmobile at the nat gallery, walked to a spot between the gallery and the high court right on the path with a grassy knoll behind, esky, chairs etc in tow, plenty of room for KaosKlan and friends and for kids to run around.

The gallery’s toilet block (behind and on the lake side of the galley) had no lines, male or female. Police were patrolling all night with two joining us for the big bangs, drunk teens were missing (probably all at regatta point). Highlight, that FA-18, brilliant flying. Fireworks were ok, better and longer than they have been for a while.

Walked back to the kaosmobile through the gallery garden paths, KaosLight assisted, packed the KaosMobile with esky, chairs, KaosKids etc. and left the carpark easily. Only encountered slight traiffic jam at heading on to the Monaro from fyshwick/kingston.

Lessons: Take food/drink and lots of it. Take chairs and rugs to sit on. Take warm jackets. Take glow sticks for kids (save paying $10 for something you can get for $2 in go-lo). Get there early, make an evening picnic of it with friends, have a good time.

Snave81 said :

Given that an estimated 130,000 people were at Skyfire, over a third of the population of the ACT, you can’t expect there to not be some queues. If you don’t like it then don’t go and stop whinging about it. Alternatively, don’t go to Regatta point, the most popular and crowded spot. There are plenty of other locations to watch the fireworks from. Did you consider taking your own food to the event? No lines and a lot cheaper.

No need for me to suggest this now, and well said.

Grumpy Old Fart said :

Skyfire what a great night of visual entertainment from my front deck in upper Chapman. No maddening crowds, food and beer on tap, no traffic and no Police. Ah living on the Southside we get it all. How was the view from Charny? Oh that’s right Belconnen is Gods country……

Haha, at least the view from the many vantage points in Turner/O’Connor/Lyneham don’t necessitate stealing a telescope from Mt Stromlo to actually see the action!

motleychick said :

georgesgenitals said :

gospeedygo said :

I still don’t get why people actually go to this thing.

Me either.

+2

I’ll go out on a limb here and guess that the 80,000 people that turned up did so because they thought they’d enjoy it! And judging by the relatively few complaints expressed here and small number of arrests made by ACT Policing I’d say the huge majority probably DID enjoy it and will probably go next year too.

vg said :

You took your newborn to where fireworks and a low flying fighter jet were to be?

Way to go Parent of the Year

+1

Did I go to the same Skyfire? My Family and I had a great time at the National Museum and my son loved it Age 3 can’t stop talking about the F18. Picnic with friends no hassle getting out no drunk teens was a top night.

btw OP I’m no expert but why bring 3 kids out to an event like skyfire and not bring food/snacks for them maybe no room in the esky after the bundy and cokes parenting fail.

Given that an estimated 130,000 people were at Skyfire, over a third of the population of the ACT, you can’t expect there to not be some queues. If you don’t like it then don’t go and stop whinging about it. Alternatively, don’t go to Regatta point, the most popular and crowded spot. There are plenty of other locations to watch the fireworks from. Did you consider taking your own food to the event? No lines and a lot cheaper.

For mine, was glad to be organized when it came to food with the tribe all bringing our own stuff, with me delegated to salad duties.

Could see a great many Canberrans were similarly minded when heading in to Coles in the early afternoon found them sold out of Roast Chickens, the staff commenting on the roaring trade in that regard.

Still jealous of the guy I saw setting up his little gas burner in the car parks next to us though. Well played sir, well played.

Gourmetmumma – next year, scout out a spot that has more than one toilet beforehand?

georgesgenitals said :

gospeedygo said :

I still don’t get why people actually go to this thing.

Me either.

+2

I headed into civic with MrsP1 for a spur of the moment meal out. Had hoped that hitting town as the fireworks were in the air would mean no problem getting into a restaurant, but they were still mostly full.

There were about 8 or 10 portaloos on the northern side of the bridge between regatta point building and the road.

suemac said :

I went to the enlighten concert and it was great. The only complaint was the no alcohol, cans/bottles of drink allowed into the venue, this would have been okay if it had been advertised. A small glass of wine $5.50 – poor quality.
The Security Guards were their normal selves overly zealous when it came to checking bags, some of them probably could get a job in customs. (I know just doing their job)
Skyfire was terrific, I applaud 104.7 for a great show and hey it was free. Spoke to many people from interstate and their only complaint was why were the Enlighten Concerts and the amazing light shows on Old Parliament House and National Library not publicised outside the ACT, they only knew about it from friends in Canberra.

All in all a great show I will be back next year.

Maybe as a thought for all of the Community Groups out there approach 104.7 about setting up Hot Dog Stalls or Sausage Sizzle stands scattered throughout Commonwealth Park and surrounds, I think it would be a very profitable night.

And for Gourmetmumma – I would have thought as a Mum you would have been very organised with food/drinks etc

http://enlightencanberra.com/about/faq

Patrons are not permitted to bring the following items into the ENLIGHTEN site:

* Flares, fireworks, knives, weapons or any device that has the potential to cause injury or public nuisance
* BYO alcohol or any prohibited substance
* BYO soft drinks
* Commercially prepared meals
etc

I noticed that this list was updated regularly…. it did prohibit umbrellas at one stage.

You have never been allowed to bring alcohol into licenced events/premises. Why would this be any different?
We thoroughly enjoyed George Benson & Frankie Valli. Yes, the wine & beer was s***, but the food was pretty good.
The toilet que’s were fairly quick & we had a lakeside viewing of Skyfire!

We also received great entertainment watching Mr & Mrs “Special Canberran” turn up 15 minutes before the main act starts, walk to the front of the seating, and show great surprise that there weren’t spare seats waiting just for them!
Dozens of these people at both concerts. Very funny.

I have to say that skyfire was fantastic.

My only two rants is:

Not enough toilets

And why on earth would the Govt hold an event in the same area at the same time as Skyfire. I sat on the library side which has always been pretty good. But this year was a mega fail.

I hope next year the ACT Govt can get its act together and talk to 104.7 and not have so much organised on one weekend.

Brindabella said :

georgesgenitals said :

gospeedygo said :

I still don’t get why people actually go to this thing.

Me either.

Let me guess – you are both about 89 years old right?

Nope, mid 30’s with kids. I’d rather go for a drive somewhere for the youngsters to see the lights, without the crowds and drunk teens.

I’ve been there for the past few years in a row (didnt go this year due to other commitments) but yes i agree with your analysis. limited police and well watered trees.

I went to the enlighten concert and it was great. The only complaint was the no alcohol, cans/bottles of drink allowed into the venue, this would have been okay if it had been advertised. A small glass of wine $5.50 – poor quality.
The Security Guards were their normal selves overly zealous when it came to checking bags, some of them probably could get a job in customs. (I know just doing their job)
Skyfire was terrific, I applaud 104.7 for a great show and hey it was free. Spoke to many people from interstate and their only complaint was why were the Enlighten Concerts and the amazing light shows on Old Parliament House and National Library not publicised outside the ACT, they only knew about it from friends in Canberra.

All in all a great show I will be back next year.

Maybe as a thought for all of the Community Groups out there approach 104.7 about setting up Hot Dog Stalls or Sausage Sizzle stands scattered throughout Commonwealth Park and surrounds, I think it would be a very profitable night.

And for Gourmetmumma – I would have thought as a Mum you would have been very organised with food/drinks etc

Skyfire what a great night of visual entertainment from my front deck in upper Chapman. No maddening crowds, food and beer on tap, no traffic and no Police. Ah living on the Southside we get it all. How was the view from Charny? Oh that’s right Belconnen is Gods country……

gourmetmumma said :

Yay it’s vg the tool again who loves getting on here making snide remarks to parents – you got me once before but not again. I won’t stoop down to your pathetic level.

For the constructive feedback – sounds like we were in the wrong area and Anzac pde would have been better. This was our first visit to skyfire and being from QLD our Brisbane equivalent of riverfire I took for granted at how well I felt it to be organized. We’ll definitely go back next year with food and torches in tow.
I agree with all that was said about the number of police vs the number of people and judging by the reports they seemed to do a great job of keeping most of the drunk morons at bay so the rest could enjoy the night.
I’m glad many of you had fun…hindsight is a wonderful thing!

I am parent Einstein……just a responsible one. You may not be familiar with that.

And you just did ‘stoop’, shown by your reply

For the sanity and safety of the biggest audience – young families – spare a thought!

I thought the biggest audience was drunk 14 year olds?

georgesgenitals said :

gospeedygo said :

I still don’t get why people actually go to this thing.

Me either.

Let me guess – you are both about 89 years old right?

Skyfire is skyfire it’s always going to attract large amounts of people, we too were caught out by lack of food, toilets and long lines at regatta point, we normally take our own but had spent the day in hospital with a family member so toughed it out. I too was surprised we didn’t see more Police we attend Aust. day event and they were in high presences. The long walk back to the car encountered a problem at the on ramp to commonwealth Av where a large group of intoxicated teens started a fight with bottles being thrown at cars people hell even he teens pushing each other in the large crowd of people walking some kids were highly distressed the police in car were approx 10 cars down comm. Av when approach by the crowd they had moved closer approx 5 cars but traffic wasn’t moving they turn the siren on sending teenage running pushing more people out of the way we were pushed over the bridge with the crowd and having younger ones in toe didn’t want to hang around but as far as we could see lights and siren was all the action we saw and they continued on down Comm. Av. As for a debate on whether it should be an alcohol free event my vote is NO. Just because a small majority (mostly teens) drink to much shouldn’t mean that the rest of the responsible drinkers should miss out.

Am I the only one who noticed a complete lack of synchronisation between the fireworks and music? It may have been syncronised to the PA system at Regatta Point, but there was no correlation to my radio from the NMA peninsula.

It was also clear to see that there was a lack of big boomers in the fireworks department. We had trouble seeing the majority of crackers for the trees. No doubt this was a cost-saving decision, and I’m not going to complain about an event that is provided free of charge.

gourmetmumma said :

Yay it’s vg the tool again who loves getting on here making snide remarks to parents – you got me once before but not again. I won’t stoop down to your pathetic level.

For the constructive feedback – sounds like we were in the wrong area and Anzac pde would have been better. This was our first visit to skyfire and being from QLD our Brisbane equivalent of riverfire I took for granted at how well I felt it to be organized. We’ll definitely go back next year with food and torches in tow.
I agree with all that was said about the number of police vs the number of people and judging by the reports they seemed to do a great job of keeping most of the drunk morons at bay so the rest could enjoy the night.
I’m glad many of you had fun…hindsight is a wonderful thing!

The family friendly areas are at the end of ANZAC parade and also across near Questacon/ National Library. It would be very useful if the organisers of the event actually put some thought into providing areas for different groups or suggested areas. I think for the Australia Day concert that the organisers produce a map with advertised areas.

Yay it’s vg the tool again who loves getting on here making snide remarks to parents – you got me once before but not again. I won’t stoop down to your pathetic level.

For the constructive feedback – sounds like we were in the wrong area and Anzac pde would have been better. This was our first visit to skyfire and being from QLD our Brisbane equivalent of riverfire I took for granted at how well I felt it to be organized. We’ll definitely go back next year with food and torches in tow.
I agree with all that was said about the number of police vs the number of people and judging by the reports they seemed to do a great job of keeping most of the drunk morons at bay so the rest could enjoy the night.
I’m glad many of you had fun…hindsight is a wonderful thing!

gospeedygo said :

I still don’t get why people actually go to this thing.

Me either.

Wow. Sorry you had a bad night gm, but I can’t say we experienced the same.

We were down near the Carillion, a few minutes walk from our park up near Parkes Way. We brought all our food, wine and cups of tea with us, and went to the bathroom beforehand. There was a fair queue for the loos near Blundells Cottage when I walked past at about 8:00 or so, but there were maybe 40-people queueing for 8 toilets – it wasn’t going to take too long. If the kids are little, pop them off behind a tree discreetly in the background – no-one’ll care, seriously.

We saw a couple of groups of police cruising while we were there. Apart from some questionable parking we saw no lawnorder issues the whole night. As BenMac has already said – bring a torch if you don’t think you can find your way back to your car in the dark. For me, the moonlight, muted as it was, was plenty to get around with.

Quite enjoyed the fireworks among the conversation with friends – the soundtrack where we were was measurably improved by the complete absence of any radios at all! The finale was certainly one of the more spectacular ones we’ve seen.

Try it again next year, but take with it a few lessons from this year – bring your own food, rugs and a torch or two and a bunch of friends and enjoy the free show!

(also after the show it was INCREDIBLY satisfying to see the knob in a 4WD who tried to shortcut across Parkes Way to turn eastbound from westbound get stopped by the new cable fence! If he’d stayed in the lane where he was rather than being an arrogant prat he’d have turned around less than 2 minutes later, like we did! As it was he had to wait for about 20 cars to go past before someone’d let him back in, hee hee)

You took your newborn to where fireworks and a low flying fighter jet were to be?

Way to go Parent of the Year

We too encountered a serious lack of an adequate number of toilets, although our situation wasn’t as dire as yours gourmetmumma.

We were on the Russell side between the Anzac Parade Red Gravel and the Carillion, which had a grand total of eight Portaloos and a line close to 30 metres long. At one point, several of them were rendered useless as they refused to flush due to being backed up too much, or had no supplies of toilet paper.

As for food, we bought plenty from home, with plenty of other families & groups having the same idea with their BBQs. The atmosphere was wonderful and the entertainment was great. We also stuck to our usual ritual of waiting almost an hour after the completion of the fireworks display to head home, specifically to avoid the traffic chaos that always follows.

Next year, here’s hoping they consider the volumes of people who converge on the lake for the event and ensure there are enough toilets, or plant plenty of lemon trees instead!

BenMac said :

You should have sat down the end of ANZAC Parade near the red gravel. Arrived at 615pm just as the FA18 had just finished. There were still plenty of spots to sit, despite the majority of the area cleared for safety as the military guns were directly in front.

Food took about 10mins. Hot chips and hotdogs, along with plenty of other choices. Yes, it started to rain, but very lightly and for about 10mins on and off. I had a 2 y/o with me and it didn’t mind him one bit.

The fireworks were great, and the walk back to the car in the dark was aided by the use of a torch. Always come prepared. Easy to get out of the ANZAC Park East car park and head over the hill past ADFA to get onto Limestone Av. Going the other way with all the traffic would have taken much longer. All in all, a great night.

I do agree with the Police presence. I thought with ACT Policing being a “sponsor” there would have been more visible officers. I saw 4 walk past my position during the night. I was expecting police on bikes in high vis clothing, SRS, GD’s and some RBT’s set up for motorists on the way out. Unless there would more on the southside, there weren’t any on the northside that I saw.

I do agree with the facilities situation particularly the toilet issue as I did see ludicrous line ups and felt pretty sorry for the poor parents with child in toe ……

Some people really need to think in perspective instead of “why I didn’t see a police officer every 5 minutes” Did you take into account:

1. The sheer amount of area to patrol – the entire central basin on both sides of the lake and VAST surrounding areas…….
2. Still required police numbers to Police the rest of the ACT (Everywhere else doesn’t shut down for skyfire)
3. Busy civic district, being a Sat night in all …… using more Policing resources
4. Police attending/tied up with incidents at Skyfire during the evening/night
5. Doing RBT outside the skyfire precinct would have been traffic chaos (damned if they do, damned if they don’t once again)
6. The entire area is OPEN to the public which I would suggest makes policing a unique challenge, not like to an event that is within a stadium.

And the list could go on and on ……… The type and scope of Policing presence “some” people seem to expect, would have required the entire ACT Police presence in the Skyfire precinct, so there was a Police officer every 50 metres !!!!

There were quite a lot of GD’s, SRS, Water Pol, and bike patrols on that night. If you didn’t see them as “much” as you expected, well that’s unfortunate, but I think the above points need to be considered to bring things into perspective.

I can say that Skyfire was a massive drain on ALL emergency (and other) services, of which ALL did the very best that they could.

A question may need to be asked, should Skyfire be a alcohol free event ? I’m not saying it should or shouldn’t, but it is a question worth asking perhaps.

I still don’t get why people actually go to this thing.

You should have sat down the end of ANZAC Parade near the red gravel. Arrived at 615pm just as the FA18 had just finished. There were still plenty of spots to sit, despite the majority of the area cleared for safety as the military guns were directly in front.

Food took about 10mins. Hot chips and hotdogs, along with plenty of other choices. Yes, it started to rain, but very lightly and for about 10mins on and off. I had a 2 y/o with me and it didn’t mind him one bit.

The fireworks were great, and the walk back to the car in the dark was aided by the use of a torch. Always come prepared. Easy to get out of the ANZAC Park East car park and head over the hill past ADFA to get onto Limestone Av. Going the other way with all the traffic would have taken much longer. All in all, a great night.

I do agree with the Police presence. I thought with ACT Policing being a “sponsor” there would have been more visible officers. I saw 4 walk past my position during the night. I was expecting police on bikes in high vis clothing, SRS, GD’s and some RBT’s set up for motorists on the way out. Unless there would more on the southside, there weren’t any on the northside that I saw.

Sorry to hear what should have been a great night out for you and your kids was such a disappointment.
Many years ago, having waited in a very long line for the loo near the carillon only to find that the lights didn’t come on as it got darker, I rang the radio station to suggest that aspect could be done better. All I got was some enthusiastic young thing eagerly telling me how great it had been in the VIP marquee with catering and everything! No interest whatsoever in how it was outside for the rest of us. Sad that it seems the same attitude still prevails.