Did anyone else feel like the Taylor Park amusements this year were significantly reduced vs. last year? Also, the ones they had were often times not functioning properly (e.g. - water slide water was coming from guys holding hoses and not the slide itself like last year? slip and slide barely had any water in it). No dunk tank either.
What's up with this - bad economy perhaps? Still, felt like a very bad value. My kids probably won't go next year - even a 6 year old noticed the difference!

Jen could probably confirm but I heard that the water issues were due to too low water pressure from the usual sources as a result of the high heat. So, they just could not get sufficient water. There were also set up and mechanical problems with other things. On the plus side they did leave the event open an hour longer than planned to try to make up for the issues. Problems happen (last year they had sequencing problems with the fireworks, this year they were spectacular) but a lot of work goes into this by volunteers and they are owed a lot of kudos.

Actually MOMSH it is a great value!! Where can you go for $12.00 and have unlimited rides? Maybe you haven't been to one of our great Strawberry Festivals in own town but I know in my school the unlimited band for rides was $40.00 and I heard in other schools they charged $50.00!! So Ibelieve you got a bargain. I also believe that they did not intend to have malfunctioning rides -these things happen. It was a great day put on by a great many volunteers - not by the town of Millburn.

Although I do not participate in putting the Taylor Park Fourth of July event together. This year, I was happy to help run the girls' all-star softball game in the morning at Taylor Park.

As you mentioned, I did notice that there were some mechanical difficulties with the rides in the beginning of the day but it should be noted that the event organizers saw teh problem and extended the closing time by one hour to offset any inconvenience. So, your single $12 ticket allowed you to ride the rides for a full 5 hours, from 11 am until 4 pm, and then gave you admission to the fireworks that night, which is a $5 entry fee by itself. I think the ticket prices are a bargain and I appreciate the work of the volunteers to keep prices so low, especially in these tough economic times. Many surrounding communities do not even offer daily events and in some cases no events at all,including fireworks.

One event that was not there this year was the dunk tank. In years past, the dunk tank was a source of injury for kids as well as dirty water and a slippery mud pile around the tank. I was happy to see it taken out. They did have a water bucket ride that let kids get wet and used clean water. That was a smart exchange of rides.
I have been going to the town's Fourth of July events since 1983,my wife since the early 70's and the day's activities are an important part of my family's endearing memories of growing up in Millburn. It is a wonderful day for our town
Coach Nick

All,
I was not trying to imply a lack of appreciation for those volunteering and coordinating the event. Rather, I was simply noticing a difference this year vs. last and wondering if that was due to increased costs this year or some other factor. Many others waiting in the long lines agreed with me. While the value (when compared to other such activities like a strawberry festival) is good, agreed, I do think the lines were unbearably long (at least for younger kids) and there were not enough water based rides. The inflatables, for example, became too hot to use.

I do think the fireworks were really great! I was only commenting on the daytime activities in Taylor Park. Again, I do appreciate all the volunteer effort that went into this, but after chatting with many other moms that day, do wonder what happened this year vs prior years in terms of quality, quantity, and usability of the amusements.

The dunk tank comments make a lot of sense. And, Coach Nick, I agree that the activities in the park do make for nice memories for my kids. I just wish this year's activities could have been more like last years, that's all.

P.S. one other comment on value.... In the end, my two kids only got to experience about 8 rides total (about 4 each) before the lines got too long to wait (we waited 1 hr for the harness trampoline one, e.g.) So, for $12 each, they got 4 rides. That's $3 per ride, which isn't bad, I suppose, but it took us from 11:30-2:30 to get those 4 rides each. That was my point on value.

Momsh,
I can see your point.Value performed by any service provider with any product is always perceived and as they say "perception becomes reality".

I just view this more as a doantion to a good cause than buying a service or product.
A donation i make with a smile.
Coach Nick