We went to the blackberry festival at the American Legion as well. Fortunately, we were able to thread our way (legally!) past the long lines of cars (from all directions!) waiting to get in to park and parked in a vacant lot across 466 from the facility. Easy in, easy out. No police presence to help with traffic flow when we arrived around 9:45 but the sheriff's crew was there in force helping to move things along when we left. All the blackberry-related items were inside the building. Sandy was able to get a blackberry cobbler which she said was very good but that's when they announced they'd run out of the blackberries and would have a new supply arriving around 11-11:30. It was confusing getting into the building but a lady working there did come out to tell the new people coming in which way to go/what line to get in for the various things they might be looking for.
JMHO - I think the American Legion were completely caught off-guard by the turnout as this was their first year for the event. Hopefully they'll work to invoke some improvements for their next iteration. I think the traffic tie-ups to get in and out of their parking area are going to be unavoidable, though, as there is only one lane going in and one lane going out.
Bill
