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Luke said:
Not my favorite event...
https://www.flickr.com/gp/130821268@N03/4BvP16

[flickrset=72157653317950783]
I finally got to see some of your pictures since my computer finally decided to work Yay! lol. Very nice photos of a gaudy event.
 
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Went last Monday (June 29) and was disappointed by the 9pm closing. It's still light out. I miss the stroll through the park in the dark (when it isn't 40 degrees out like at Christmastown).
 
I want to know why the park insists on putting the glow stand in front of that unique piece of art (the compass/ sun tracker sculpture) when they built an extended platform for F&WF that is being used only by tables at the moment...
 
I just drove by multiple billboards for BGW advertising this summer event. Well, sort of. The billboard merely reads "Weekend Fireworks - Busch Gardens Williamsburg." It makes no mention of Star Spangled Nights, nor any of its other features.

That raises the question: is there any redeeming value in Star Spangled Nights' other features? The overall consensus seems to be that rest is superfluous and detracts from the park experience, so I had figured that the only use for the non-firework features of Star Spangled Nights was to advertise them together as an entire package event, not just a showing of fireworks.

But apparently even the marketing team has given up on advertising the other features of Star Spangled Nights- or rather, the event altogether.

So if the public only cares about the event for the fireworks, and apparently so does the park... what's the point of keeping the "event"?

If they're at the point where it's not even worth advertising the event, hopefully they're nearing the point where it's not even worth having the event at all.

"Weekend fireworks", all on its own, sounds damn fine to me.
 
While logical, Joe, your argument may assume more systematic thought than that which actually went into the park's "marketing strategy."

Just because the park doesn't market something, doesn't mean they don't care about it. Those two things seem somewhat disconnected of late to me.

Also, for me, fireworks: meh.
 
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Victory Canteen still looks like a trashy fireworks stand on the side of the highway in South Carolina and Tennessee. Well done, Busch.

I thought since this is round 2 of this event things would look a bit better this season, but nope nothing changed. I believe this is a good sign though due to nothing getting improved, investing no money into the event, and lack of advertising it I think all signs point towards the park giving up on it.

Like most of you all I don't really find a need for a summer event. However, if they're insistent on doing one there is a right way to do an event without plastering coo-coo clocks, rainbow garland, Christmas lights, or Americana decorations around a European themed park during the summer. Maybe if they keep an event going, attempt #3 won't be as hideous... I'm hoping for no event or a new event next year.
 
Nicole said:
While logical, Joe, your argument may assume more systematic thought than that which actually went into the park's "marketing strategy."

Just because the park doesn't market something, doesn't mean they don't care about it.  Those two things seem somewhat disconnected of late to me.

You're exactly right, Nicole. I actually wrote a paragraph in my above post addressing this, but deleted it because it felt out of context. So let me add this:

Even if the billboard advertising is nothing more than the result of a lazy or incompetent marketing team, the non-firework features of the event are still not made known to the general public. The casual park guest most likely walks into the park without any knowledge that the summer event consists of any more than fireworks. In other words, the other features of Star Spangled Nights aren't a selling point. They don't do anything to bolster the "event" or bring new bodies to the park. Without the public knowing about them, they're pointless.

So really, with not even a mention of the other features to drive visitors into the park, those features may as well not be there at all.
 
That might be a good excuse for them to not leave this decor up through September. I can only hope that they will find a way to continue with what they advertised and find a way to make a suitable transition to Howl-O-Scream.
 
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I think they are fine for 4th of July, but after that, the decorations make the park look lazy. Like they just forgot to take their 4th decorations down.(for two months.) The whole event is just plain half-ass lazy. I'm hoping that we see them come down early. Next time I'm there, I'll ask every supervisor that I see "why are the 4th decorations still up?"
 
^I tend to like the less crowded areas, although the downside is that you might barely hear the music. Decent, less crowded viewing areas include: in front of Roman Rapids, next to Das Festhaus (the entrance gate to Festhaus Park), and behind Das Festhaus (if available due to crowds). If crowds don't bother you, then the San Marco main circle is a good location. The park says you can view them in England and Ireland, but the trees and other obstructions only allow you to see the very high fireworks.

Basically any area that isn't blocked by trees is a good bet. If in doubt, ask an employee that works in that area. Team members stationed in outdoor locations are usually the most helpful in answering those questions.
 
^Yes, Josephine's is a good spot if you don't mind seeing roller coasters. I think they also added new speakers on the patio. Can anyone confirm if this is true? I think it is a terrible waste to watch the show if you can't hear the music. When I think about them shooting about ten grand up in the air, I like to at least see the work that went into the choreography.
 
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