What Will They Whine About?

Every year, our small city plays host to a massive music festival - it is the only reason that some people even know where Sarnia is. The festival is Sarnia Bayfest - www.sarniabayfest.com.

I must admit that I'm not a big music fan - I listen to podcasts, read books, etc., but this has little to do with music.

In 2008, Sarnia Bayfest announced that Motley Crue would be performing - no big deal, right? Well, the "right" thought it was. Religidiots began to write letters to the paper, to our city hall, to city council, etc. One of our city councilors decided that he had to do something - he suggested that this charitable organization (Sarnia Bayfest is a Charity and supports a number of local charities) should have to get approval from the City of Sarnia on its entertainers.

And why? Because Motley Crue (the media whores they are), in an interview, said that they'd never had a "daughter/mother/grandmother foursome" before. (Let me state this - I dislike religion because it oppresses women/gays/etc. - I'm not suggesting that women should be objectified!) The religious in Sarnia took great offense to the possibility of people having sex.

Sarnia has seen its share of children (non consenting children) abused at the hands of clergy and, yet, they have the balls to suggest that somehow an act amongst CONSENTING adults is justification for BANNING Motley Crue from coming to our city!

Well, it is 2009 and another Bayfest is just around the corner. This morning they announced who would be attending for their rock portion of the festival. Counting Crows, KISS and Stone Temple Pilots.

The church will probably take offense to men wearing make-up (KISS) as it is their domain to have their men wearing dresses (Priests/Pastors). Or maybe they'll suggest that Scott Weiland(lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots)'s past use of illicit drugs means that he shouldn't be welcome in Sarnia (because Sarnia, you must know, has no drugs/drug users, otherwise)

Sarnia, with a population of 70,000 people, played host to, at 2008's festival alone, Bon Jovi, Fergie, Motley Crue, The Black Crowes, Rascal Flatts, Big & Rich and Emerson Drive. Previous years have seen The Tragically Hip, Three Doors Down, The Guess Who, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Nickelback, Toby Keith, Def Leppard, Keith Urban... and many more.

This festival, in 2008, probably drew in more people than the whole population of Sarnia - our local hotels and motels COMPLETELY packed (it is the only time of the year that discounts do not apply at our local hotels!!!) and our City was looking to shut it down?

In 10 years, the Sarnia Police have reported no major issues yet the religious almost garnered enough support to, for all intents and purposes, put an end to its #1 tourist event!

If you don't like the performers or you don't like the crowds, DON'T GO - but don't tell me or anyone else what I should or should not enjoy if it does not harm or injure others.

Want to come to Sarnia? Check out the festival - www.sarniabayfest.com - This year has the bands above as well as Tim McGraw and Brad Paisley.