By Andrea Swayne with photos by Allison Jarrell
Blues on the beach brought fans in droves to the 18th Doheny Blues Festival, May 16 and 17, at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point.
As is customary with the music-filled concert event, a wide variety of artists were featured throughout the two-day festival atop three stages—the small Backporch Stage, mid-sized Sailor Jerry Stage and the grandest of all, the Doheny Main Stage.
More than 25 artists/bands played—including Bonnie Raitt, Paul Rodgers, Boz Skaggs and Los Lobos—and the festival grounds included wine and micro-brew tastings, vendor booths and food. As in previous years, festival organizer Omega Events implemented several “green” practices to increase the festival’s sustainability and reduce its impact on the environment—a bike valet, recycling stations, the use of bio-diesel generators and helping to support the official nonprofit of the event, the Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association.
As a transportation specialist, ie. limo driver, I had many request to drop off handicapped attendee’s at the festival. Unfortunately, this was due to a lack of handicap parking slots in the park. Also, the park rangers were rude and disrespectful when I asked to drop off handicap persons at the closest entrance, and I was refused entrance to drop off disabled passengers. I asked a park rangers if they were aware of ADA rules, (American Disabilities Act), and regulations and they responded NO. The sponsors, the city, the park ranger staff and the state parks are all at risk for a major ADA lawsuit if this is not addressed. The Park Ranger staff needs training in both the ADA and personal conduct when dealing with a licensed professional who is trying to help handicap passengers….
I attended the festival with my significant other who justifiably qualifies for ADA privileges since having both shoulders and both hips replaced, along with several fused vertebrae. Day 1 at the festival we arrived around 1PM. With the entrance blocked with “Lot Full” signs, we opted to use the off-site lot at the high school. Unfortunately, the buses let their passengers off on Dana Pt Harbor Dr. There was no supplemental transportation offered or available to bring ADA attendees to the actual entrance (a substantial walk for him). When we finally reached the entry we asked the event staff personnel if there was any accommodation available to move ADA’s from the entry back to the pick up point for the bus. We were concerned about how it would go when it was time to leave. Each representative instructed us to arrive earlier and park in the ADA parking lot by the entrance that fills up quickly. Other than that, none had a clue. For our departure, we had a friend take the bus back to the parking lot and bring our vehicle back down to the venue to pick us up. Overall it took us over 90 min to get home from the event and we were staying with friends who live within a mile of the venue. Suffice it to say, the event organizers need to get more organized when it comes to ADA access for those who actually need it.