Tips for attending Rhythm & Booms
May 19th, 2007, 09:25 AM
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Tips for attending Rhythm & Booms
I have wanted to watch Rhythm and Booms in Madison for years. I looked on the official web site and it seems parking might be difficult.
Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best places to park? What things are available to eat? Should I just bring a picnic? ( we will do the farmer's market in the morning so I could plan ahead for a picnic) What is the best time to go? Can I bring lawn chairs? We are a family of two adults, and two "children" (one teenager and one young adult "child").
Does anyone have any suggestions as to the best places to park? What things are available to eat? Should I just bring a picnic? ( we will do the farmer's market in the morning so I could plan ahead for a picnic) What is the best time to go? Can I bring lawn chairs? We are a family of two adults, and two "children" (one teenager and one young adult "child").
May 19th, 2007, 10:43 AM
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Rhythm and Boons is a blast!
Parking: It's a pain. There are buses to various lots, but I found the bus situation even more of a pain than parking near the park, especially if you're trying to keep a group together. I would park on a side street off Sherman ave. Make sure that when you park, your car is facing Sherman. It's a bit of a walk, but it makes getting out a breeze. Some of the main streets are rerouted/one way, so if you don't know the area, having a map might be handy.
Picnics are good, and regardless, definitely bring snacks! You can go to the farmer's market for stuff (like cheese curds!), but I'd also stop by a grocery store for drinks and other snacks. If you can't get to a grocery store conveniently, there's a Walgreens on the square that you will pass while at the farmer's market. Having a cooler is useful.
We always got to Warner Park around 3:00 p.m., though I know people go later, and those who go earlier. Once you get there you wander around and find a good spot. Lawn chairs are fine (especially the canvas fold out ones in a bag) but blankets are good for marking out a space, and for laying down to watch the fireworks. I always brought a pillow, too - it's great for early evening naps before the fireworks actually start.
There's a carnival and food and a beer tent, if that's up your alley. We always took turns having one or two people watch the stuff while other people wandered. Food is a little expensive, but not too bad.
Bring stuff to do - frisbees, cards, games, magazines, books. It can be a long wait, but it was always fun. We staked out a spot by a path so we could people watch.
If you have a small, battery operated radio, I'd bring it. We've gone with and without, but I always thought it enhanced the experience to have one.
Anyways, have fun. It's crowded, and there's lots of traffic, but it's great
Parking: It's a pain. There are buses to various lots, but I found the bus situation even more of a pain than parking near the park, especially if you're trying to keep a group together. I would park on a side street off Sherman ave. Make sure that when you park, your car is facing Sherman. It's a bit of a walk, but it makes getting out a breeze. Some of the main streets are rerouted/one way, so if you don't know the area, having a map might be handy.
Picnics are good, and regardless, definitely bring snacks! You can go to the farmer's market for stuff (like cheese curds!), but I'd also stop by a grocery store for drinks and other snacks. If you can't get to a grocery store conveniently, there's a Walgreens on the square that you will pass while at the farmer's market. Having a cooler is useful.
We always got to Warner Park around 3:00 p.m., though I know people go later, and those who go earlier. Once you get there you wander around and find a good spot. Lawn chairs are fine (especially the canvas fold out ones in a bag) but blankets are good for marking out a space, and for laying down to watch the fireworks. I always brought a pillow, too - it's great for early evening naps before the fireworks actually start.
There's a carnival and food and a beer tent, if that's up your alley. We always took turns having one or two people watch the stuff while other people wandered. Food is a little expensive, but not too bad.
Bring stuff to do - frisbees, cards, games, magazines, books. It can be a long wait, but it was always fun. We staked out a spot by a path so we could people watch.
If you have a small, battery operated radio, I'd bring it. We've gone with and without, but I always thought it enhanced the experience to have one.
Anyways, have fun. It's crowded, and there's lots of traffic, but it's great
Jun 25th, 2007, 08:00 AM
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As far as your picnic, make sure it is cold items only. Grills are prohibited that day, and yes parking is bad. You can bring lawn chairs/tents/awnings etc, but they all must be taken down before the show starts. Unless you are in a wheelchair you must sit on the ground during the show.
There is a carnival (rides, etc) during the day so if you like that sort of stuff. Food is typical carnie food pizza, burgers, hot dogs, subs, beer, soda.
I have been going since is started. If you want to try to get street parking get there VERY early. Since you have kids I would recommend parking at the MATC lot and taking a bus to and from the park. You don't have to get there super early that way. Don't be in a hurry to leave; the first several groups of busses will be very crowded and people are RUDE and shove alot.
The carnival starts up again after the fireworks, so maybe plan to go there for an hour, even if it is just to walk through and have a hot dog.
The only thing that has turned me off during the past few years is the FORCED DONATION. When you go into the Beer/Food tent there are police officers standing out front, not just checking ID's which is ok with me, but making sure EVERYONE donates $5. Now if it is a donation shouldn't it be voluntary??? If it is required why call it a donation? Can I get a receipt for my taxes? ...Sorry for the rant but it just gets under my skin, there are lots of people at this event begging for donations, many using young children to do their work.
I think the website has a list of things to bring to the show that will help you out; sunscreen, water, radio etc. I haven't looked this year, but I thought it also gave locations to park for the busses. It is a fun time.
There is a carnival (rides, etc) during the day so if you like that sort of stuff. Food is typical carnie food pizza, burgers, hot dogs, subs, beer, soda.
I have been going since is started. If you want to try to get street parking get there VERY early. Since you have kids I would recommend parking at the MATC lot and taking a bus to and from the park. You don't have to get there super early that way. Don't be in a hurry to leave; the first several groups of busses will be very crowded and people are RUDE and shove alot.
The carnival starts up again after the fireworks, so maybe plan to go there for an hour, even if it is just to walk through and have a hot dog.
The only thing that has turned me off during the past few years is the FORCED DONATION. When you go into the Beer/Food tent there are police officers standing out front, not just checking ID's which is ok with me, but making sure EVERYONE donates $5. Now if it is a donation shouldn't it be voluntary??? If it is required why call it a donation? Can I get a receipt for my taxes? ...Sorry for the rant but it just gets under my skin, there are lots of people at this event begging for donations, many using young children to do their work.
I think the website has a list of things to bring to the show that will help you out; sunscreen, water, radio etc. I haven't looked this year, but I thought it also gave locations to park for the busses. It is a fun time.
Jun 25th, 2007, 09:52 AM
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I don't have any advice to add - you've already received plenty, but I wanted to thank you for bringing back some memories!
I grew up in Middleton, across the lake from Madison, and we watched most years from our rooftop (very thrilling for a kid, though I don't know how responsible it was of my parents!) The only drawback to that was we couldn't hear the music live - had to listen on the radio.
Have fun!
I grew up in Middleton, across the lake from Madison, and we watched most years from our rooftop (very thrilling for a kid, though I don't know how responsible it was of my parents!) The only drawback to that was we couldn't hear the music live - had to listen on the radio.
Have fun!
Jul 9th, 2007, 08:56 PM
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Thank you so much for all your advice. Yes we went and had a great time. We actually were in Madison for a wedding so we were busy for most of the day and couldn't get to Warner Park until later. So we ended up watching it from Gov. Nelson State Park. I guess we were just a little afraid of all the traffic and walking at Warner Park.
We had no problem parking close to the beach at Nelson Park. We took our chairs, blanket, picnic dinner (including cheese and black raspberries from the farmers market) and a radio-- actually I think there were at least a 1000 people watching from Nelson State Park too. Many had grills and take out food. We sat close to the lake edge and enjoyed a great view of the capitol as we waited for the sun to set. It was easy to get out onto the highway and back to our hotel when the event was over. The only thing I wish I would have taken was a flashlight, as it was kind of hard to see to get back to the car.
The show was FANTASTIC. The planes flew right over our heads. I have never seen fireworks shaped like that-- spirals, faces and hearts and so many bursting at one time.
BUT, the whole family kind of regretted that we were not right underneath all those big bursts of light. SO, next year we will break down...... face the traffic .....and WATCH it at Warner Park! I can't wait to see it again. And now we know a little more of what to expect. It is the BEST fireworks display I have ever seen.
We had no problem parking close to the beach at Nelson Park. We took our chairs, blanket, picnic dinner (including cheese and black raspberries from the farmers market) and a radio-- actually I think there were at least a 1000 people watching from Nelson State Park too. Many had grills and take out food. We sat close to the lake edge and enjoyed a great view of the capitol as we waited for the sun to set. It was easy to get out onto the highway and back to our hotel when the event was over. The only thing I wish I would have taken was a flashlight, as it was kind of hard to see to get back to the car.
The show was FANTASTIC. The planes flew right over our heads. I have never seen fireworks shaped like that-- spirals, faces and hearts and so many bursting at one time.
BUT, the whole family kind of regretted that we were not right underneath all those big bursts of light. SO, next year we will break down...... face the traffic .....and WATCH it at Warner Park! I can't wait to see it again. And now we know a little more of what to expect. It is the BEST fireworks display I have ever seen.
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dwoodliff
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