Although we haven’t attended Bottlerock for years we do enjoy the energy that both festivals bring to town. Plus the music can be heard very well from the river. Unfortunately, most local business, particularly during Memorial Day weekend when we would otherwise be very busy, suffer.
Several riverfront business closed at 6pm on Saturday during Bottlerock for example. I do not think La Onda (being on a non-holiday weekend) has as much of an effect per se but the hotels do fill up and guests do have single-track minds > attend the festival then back to the hotel. Maybe hit a bar after or do a little retail shopping? But for the most part the money is spent inside festival and in the hotel. Or, they jump on a bus and head home.
The normal, Memorial Day weekend traveler and weekend visitor to Napa stay home as a result. These are the guests who would otherwise spend a few hours on the river having dinner or paddling to connect with nature and get some fresh air to start the day in wine country.
It is a painful beginning to the busy season for many in Downtown particularly on the riverfront. Booze filled weekends & hangovers (not the wine-sipping kind of “ouch” ) do not translate well for outdoor recreation business, a category that would otherwise thrive on Memorial Day weekend.
We LOVE the energy and the people and the culture (and cultural contrasts between the 2 weekends, also inherent to the diverse Bottlerock crowd itself); however something must be done to compensate for this painful loss of business on an otherwise profitable “start to summer” on the river. In late May, small seasonal business could really use the revenue after a long, cold winter.
Now we have to deal with two weekends in a row.
Ps. Sorry to inject this dose of reality to the amazing energy & culture that fills Downtown … but business is business. Maybe ‘small businesses’ need a union of our own
Yes, business is business, but joy is joy. What a wonderfully written piece. I didn't attend, but I felt like I did.
We have to be able accommodate both. How can small businesses be incorporated into these festivals and be able to share in the bounty. I am confident that ceative minds can solve this daunting challenge. That's the Napa way.
Indeed this piece warmed my heart and joy was in the air, all over town. Happy to hear it will be returning next year, looking forward to being in attendance for the second annual
"a celebration of everything" absolutely made me grin from ear to ear. I am pleased to know that La Onda happened, and more pleased to hear it went well. I feel certain that there can be a way for these festivals to happen AND to have local businesses do well, also. I hope that much conversation about this will happen and that a way to make that happen will be found. Celebration of all aspects of life are so wonderful. Reading the article almost made me feel as though I had been present. All of the wonderful photos helped, too.
Sasha write exactly what I experienced being there. Joy- pure joy. Cultural safety to dress and sing and celebrate. I did not know any performers, nor am I Latino but I love Mexico and this knocked it out for a HOMERUN as in a place to celebrate our diversity at home in Napa.
Loved Sasha Paulsen's colorful description of La Onda. It is wonderful that the Spanish-speaking people of our community now are recognized, and have a music festival of their own. A friend, who immigrated from Mexico years ago, proudly showed me a photo of her grandson in one of the local youth bands, that was featured at La Onda.
Although we haven’t attended Bottlerock for years we do enjoy the energy that both festivals bring to town. Plus the music can be heard very well from the river. Unfortunately, most local business, particularly during Memorial Day weekend when we would otherwise be very busy, suffer.
Several riverfront business closed at 6pm on Saturday during Bottlerock for example. I do not think La Onda (being on a non-holiday weekend) has as much of an effect per se but the hotels do fill up and guests do have single-track minds > attend the festival then back to the hotel. Maybe hit a bar after or do a little retail shopping? But for the most part the money is spent inside festival and in the hotel. Or, they jump on a bus and head home.
The normal, Memorial Day weekend traveler and weekend visitor to Napa stay home as a result. These are the guests who would otherwise spend a few hours on the river having dinner or paddling to connect with nature and get some fresh air to start the day in wine country.
It is a painful beginning to the busy season for many in Downtown particularly on the riverfront. Booze filled weekends & hangovers (not the wine-sipping kind of “ouch” ) do not translate well for outdoor recreation business, a category that would otherwise thrive on Memorial Day weekend.
We LOVE the energy and the people and the culture (and cultural contrasts between the 2 weekends, also inherent to the diverse Bottlerock crowd itself); however something must be done to compensate for this painful loss of business on an otherwise profitable “start to summer” on the river. In late May, small seasonal business could really use the revenue after a long, cold winter.
Now we have to deal with two weekends in a row.
Ps. Sorry to inject this dose of reality to the amazing energy & culture that fills Downtown … but business is business. Maybe ‘small businesses’ need a union of our own
Super important to acknowledge this reality. That you for sharing. Will include in our thinking going forward.
Yes, business is business, but joy is joy. What a wonderfully written piece. I didn't attend, but I felt like I did.
We have to be able accommodate both. How can small businesses be incorporated into these festivals and be able to share in the bounty. I am confident that ceative minds can solve this daunting challenge. That's the Napa way.
Indeed this piece warmed my heart and joy was in the air, all over town. Happy to hear it will be returning next year, looking forward to being in attendance for the second annual
What a delightful read! I teared up at this part ⬇️ Thanks for moving me this morning.
"I began to feel like I was at a celebration of everything...And there was something nearly palpable in the air: joy."
"a celebration of everything" absolutely made me grin from ear to ear. I am pleased to know that La Onda happened, and more pleased to hear it went well. I feel certain that there can be a way for these festivals to happen AND to have local businesses do well, also. I hope that much conversation about this will happen and that a way to make that happen will be found. Celebration of all aspects of life are so wonderful. Reading the article almost made me feel as though I had been present. All of the wonderful photos helped, too.
Sasha write exactly what I experienced being there. Joy- pure joy. Cultural safety to dress and sing and celebrate. I did not know any performers, nor am I Latino but I love Mexico and this knocked it out for a HOMERUN as in a place to celebrate our diversity at home in Napa.
“May not know the secret to life, but I do know I’ve never been sad at a Mexican restaurant” Bravo !
Loved Sasha Paulsen's colorful description of La Onda. It is wonderful that the Spanish-speaking people of our community now are recognized, and have a music festival of their own. A friend, who immigrated from Mexico years ago, proudly showed me a photo of her grandson in one of the local youth bands, that was featured at La Onda.