* A new ordinance, #5510, passed by the Board of Directors, City of Hot Springs, Arkansas, virtually eliminates vendors for rallies and other events by restricting their location and requiring a minimum fee of $300 per vendor. Click HERE to view or download a copy of the entire ordinance.

* The liability issue. An uninsured or underinsured event presents numerous potential financial hazards.

* The Clarion has some changes and new requests.

Certain people weren't happy with me promoting Mojo's to see Mike Stanley on Thursday, even though he could not have performed at Classics with similar conditions.

 

It was recommended that Classics serve Barbeque Pork instead of the amazingly good Pig Roast from Hogg's.

 

Other charges and fees proposed by the Clarion in association with the event diminishes my desire to continue it.

 

* The two Weekend @ Bernie's in 2005 and 2006 cost me about $1500.00. Although I did hope to at least break even, losing $750.00 a year adds up.

 

I think the Hot Springs city fathers are misguided in their blind desire to promote the Convention Center and neighboring businesses to the detriment of those facilities not located nearby.  

I understand that the Clarion needs to be profitable but I was hoping that the event could grow into a mutually profitable venture. That being said, I would probably have negotiated with the hotel on numerous items if the Vendor Ordinance wasn't in place.

Since the days of the ISRA rallies, the Clarion staff has been made up of the most pleasant and helpful people I could imagine. Weekend @ Bernie's would certainly not have occurred if not for Jackie and Gerry. Everyone I encountered went out of their way to make things work and I want to thank all of them. This includes, but is not limited to, Nancy, Tasha, Mark, Marsha, Ginger, Jan, Sheena, Jeff, Phyllis, Randy, Sarah, Hallee, Nina, Jimmy, (Leslie, Kim, Joni, Lewis), Zito and all of the others that I have missed for lack of memory.

If the Clarion hadn't been the host hotel for ISRA back in 2000, I would not have met and become friends with so many wonderful people that worked at the hotel, ran a business like Dave at Magic Bus, or rode motorcycles and shared my passion.

Finally, thank you to my fellow Ark-La-Tex Star Riders that took the time and effort to attend. Special thanks to Neil, Janice, Jimmy for your work and help with the event. I don't type fast enough to thank you properly.