Ironbridge River Festival review after complaints
Organisers of the Ironbridge River Festival say they will be reviewing the event after a number of people complained about parking problems and queues due to the large number of visitors.
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Russell Griffin, of Telford & Wrekin Council, said negative comments made online would be taken on board as part of an event evaluation which will include the company Walk the Plank which provided the evening river procession.
One of those unhappy with the event was Bethy Butler who travelled 27 miles to Ironbridge and said there were only eight bays for disabled badge holders.
She said: "There was a disabled viewing area with a steward who didn't really have a clue."
"The lights and pyrotechnics started after the boats had gone past us - nothing like the picture advertised at all. Then there was no crowd control at all."
Lisa Maltby said: "I was disappointed with the end, but did enjoy the fair and stalls. It needs a lot more organisation and for the amount of people that came out to support this event I feel an opportunity to impress was missed. I will not attend again in a rush."
Joanne Sprague said there were not enough stalls for the number of visitors.
She said: "It was a complete and utter disappointment from start to finish, nowhere near enough food stalls for the amount of people attending.
"Even the queues in the Co-op were horrendous as people desperately grabbed any food they could off the shelves.
"Then the flotilla and fireworks, well talk about false advertising. What a complete letdown for all the kids and families that came."
Positive comments were also included, such as from But Helen Degg said: "I had a nice little outing for free – fireworks, parking for free and loads to see for free if you walked through the town. There were morris dancers, brass band, karaoke man, balloon modelling, jester and unicycling juggler plus fun fair. Pubs had free entertainment on. What more do you want for a free event?"
