Fair treatment of patrons by Spartanburg Parks and Recreation

Every year, the Parks and Recreation department "rents" out the public park for various concert and events. These events are paid events, with tickets ranging in price from twenty to thirty five dollars, usually held during the months of June through August.

The promotors of these events have not allowed patrons to bring umbrella's or any type of drinks. Recently a concert was held with temperatures holding at 100 degree's at 5pm. Many people brought bottled water. Patrons were searched and told there would be no admittance to the park unless the bottled water was thrown away.

In order to gain admittance people who paid dearly to enjoy the concert threw their water away. Upon entering the public park, vendors began price gouging, charging five dollars for bottled water and two dollars for a cup of ice! After spending dearly for gas and a ticket for entertainment, alot of the people had no money left for five dollar water, or a two dollar cup of ice! People were held hostage in 100 degree's many of whom have medical conditions. This was wrong!

A public park is for enjoyment and certainly one could have been allowed to bring their own bottled water! What if a person was thirsty for more than one bottle! People of this county deserve more than being thirsty, while the vendors dish out their greed while holding the public hostage in the one hundred degree heat! several people had to be taken out of the park by ambulance. Parks are for enjoyment!

It is time we take a stand against this unfair treatment at the hands of greedy promoters.