Poll: Do You Love or Hate HONfest?

Sharen VanDyk- Teal June 4, 2012 at 03:39 pm

I don't like the people dressing n acting like they are actual Hampden originals, maybe some are, I don't know. I don't like "fake". I am an original n real Hampden girl as is my side of the family n very proud of that.

P.Bane June 4, 2012 at 03:45 pm

No parking, trash/liquor bottles on front yards, a wasted weekend as we cannot get anything done. As a working woman, I do not feel honored by Honfest, just harrassed and annoyed. Do away with it!!!!!!!!!

What What June 4, 2012 at 04:49 pm

I've lived in Hampden for many years and I don't have a problem with it. It brings a lot of people to the area to spend money at the festival and at the shops and restaurants in the area, and those people need it so that they can stay in business and create jobs for people in the neighborhood. It's only two days. If you don't like it stay at home.

Cindy Ford June 4, 2012 at 05:12 pm

Growing up in Hampden, we had a much better venue call the May Fair. Went to Hon Fest one time, and will NEVER go to another one. Alcohol should not be sold and the "Hon" contest is a SLAP IN THE FACE to our mothers, sisters and aunts. who lived and grew up in Hampden. No one EVER dressed cartoonish like the contestants dress. I think Denise Whiting watched way toooo many John Waters movies

G B June 5, 2012 at 12:07 am

P.Bane .. I so agree .. I am a prisoner in my own home during that weekend .. can't leave the house cause I won't be able to park when I return ... One day would be More than enough for this event If we had to have it ... I would just like for EVERYTHING Cafe HON
(Denise Whiting) to just GO AWAY ...we do not need it or her ... she does not care about Hampden only the Money she can take /get from this Wonderful neighborhood .. I have lived here 56yrs and remember the Hampden May Fair ... Oh how I miss it ...Just saying

G B June 5, 2012 at 12:11 am

Hampden girl through & through ... we do not Need the wanna be ....the originals are oh so much better Hon

G B June 5, 2012 at 12:12 am

May Fair YES .....Hon fest NO ! ! ! !

CharmCityLights June 7, 2012 at 11:54 am

As a Hampden resident, I find the whole affair to be a pain in the neck. As has been mentioned, the neighborhood gets blanketed in trash, and parking is impossible. All of which would be fine, if the proceeds benefited the neighborhood. But why should we all be inconvenienced so that Denise can line her pockets? Furthermore, most of the area merchants maintain that it ends up being a pretty typical weekend for them. A few more people wander in, but a lot of regulars stay away. Apparently festival goers, by and large, aren't shopping for furniture or clothes, and most of them buy food from the vendors on the street. It seems to me, unless Denise starts to hand over at least half the profits to the neighborhood association (or some such), she shouldn't be allowed to monopolize Hampden for three days.

Amy Hornberger June 10, 2012 at 03:12 am

I more or less agree with the comments above, but it is another venue for my dance students to perform and show all the hard work they put into the choreography they learn. I don't know how much Denis Whiting does for the Hampden community, but I have given Hampen kids scholarships so I want those kids to be able to show their family and friends how deserving they are.