waterpark event

[unabashednudist1]

As a Fresno resident, I saw on tv, on all three major local channels, the newscast about INA's plans to host an event at Wild Water Parks! I think it is a great idea and hope for the best of success! However, the TV coverage was slightly different on each channel. Based upon the TV coverage and other events of recent, INA's public announcement, perhaps was too early. One channel contacted the park and confirmed that "no contract had been signed", another TV station has contacted residents who are voicing concern and disapproval. Another station is conducting a poll of residents to determine their feelings about the proposed event.

Perhaps INA's timing could have been better. A major story in Fresno is also playing out at the same time. A former local TV and Radio broadcaster has been charged with molesting children and showing pictures of naked people to minors.

At this point, if I were the owners of the Water Park, I would now decline the event. No contract has been signed. Because Fresno is very conservative, you will see a large public backlash about this event. INA should have had the contract signed, the reservations in hand and announced it, publicly, closer to the event date.

I would suggest that INA hire a public relations firm for advice next time!

Nevertheless, I hope I am wrong and the event goes off as planned!

[Corky]

We did not contact the press at all. Airline tickets usually have to be purchased very early and events this large need to be planned and announced as early as possible. Most of the people will be from out of the area anyway. We don't need local advertising or press. We signed a contract so we can start selling tickets and advertising in nudist circles only so nudists from all over the world can start making plans for the dates. The response is very positive so far from nudists all over the world. But the local Fresno community might be a problem.

[JustRobert]

I think its great that all the hoopla is out now. By the time September roles around it will be forgotten old news.I compliment Corky and all for attempting this huge feat.

[Nude Eric]

I bought my tickets online already. I hope that all goes well for INA. I agree with the previous post, you have to be careful how
this event is recieved by the media or It could be a non-event.

Another suggestion would be to make it closed to the general public to avoid lookie-loos and gawkers. I don't agree that it should be a c/o event. I think it should be nude to discourage would be posers and gawkers.

That's my opinion. I hope that the details can be worked out.
It sounds like (if done right) it will be alot of fun. This could be an annual event.

Eric

[sawdust]

I understand that this water park, two day nudist event has been called off due to local public preasure. Is this correct? I had planned to attend as well but and on hold with making any plans until I am positive it will actually take place. Sawdust

[Corky]

I will re-post this in this thread:

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCMENT:

We are very sorry to say that Freedom Days 2004 has been canceled. Club Freedom, INA and Wild Water Adventures have jointly agreed to not have the event. We thank Wild Water Adventures for all of their support and acceptance. We have sold admissions tickets from all over the world, Japan, Australia, UK, Croatia, etc. We will give full refunds Monday, 5-24-2004.

Local churches and citizens said they will boycott the water park if we rent it from them. See ABC News story here: http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/news/052...ild_water.html Pastor G. L. Johnson from People's Church in Fresno said on CBS's Channel 47 he would contact all the churches in the valley to boycott the water park if our event happened. See response from a pastor here: http://naturistevents.com/pastorletter.html . We have never had problems like this before at any of our events. The potential business for hotels, restaurants, rental cars, etc. would have helped the local economy.

A poll on Channel 47 says 78% of people support Wild Water Adventures' decision to make its facility available to us. But Channel 47's website calling our event "Girls Gone Wild" on the front page didn't help. Our events are family oriented and not associated in any way with "Girls Gone Wild".

Many of our members are Christian and believe in the bible's statement about being naked an unashamed. Strong family and naturist values promote body acceptance and a good self image for all ages. The more people see non-sexual nudity, the less they associate it with lust.

We do not force our values on others, we highly respect the values of others but if we can't congregate and rent private property out of public view without a few stopping us and forcing their ways on us, we are not living in a very free society.

We did sign a contract that allowed the park to back out if there was a negative community response.

[Guest]

But AANR doesn't have huge numbers. Matter of fact, they have been losing members these last few years.

It is estimated that only about 1 or 2% of nudists actually belong to AANR.

[Trailscout]

Cyndiann, how healthy is TNS? What are their numbers?

Don't you think that in view of the widespread animosity and ignorance about nudism that we need some kind of national organization to educate, communicate with the press, help young people, and provide some behavioral accountability for resorts and naturist parks?

[WacoTX]

Maybe the INA staff should get together with the Park owner and the Chamber of Commerce and try again at a later date. Enlisting the help of community leaders and promoting the monetary gains might overcome the objections of the few.

[Naturist Mark]

quote:

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Originally posted by WacoTX:
[qb] Maybe the INA staff should get together with the Park owner and the Chamber of Commerce and try again at a later date. Enlisting the help of community leaders and promoting the monetary gains might overcome the objections of the few. [/qb]

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Or maybe they should hire a lawyer. There may be a cause of action against the two churches and public officials who made untrue statements about the character and behavior of law-abiding social nudists.

In particular the causes of action include:
Libel
Interference with Business Opportunities
Violations of California's Unfair Trade Practices Act by making misrepresentations in order to scuttle the deal between the Water Park and INA.

The mere discussion of such a lawsuit might have a sobering effect on those who think that law-abiding social nudists are fair game for libel, character assasination, and actions taken based only on uninformed prejudice.

-Mark

[Guest]

quote:

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Originally posted by Trailscout:
[qb] Cyndiann, how healthy is TNS? What are their numbers?

Don't you think that in view of the widespread animosity and ignorance about nudism that we need some kind of national organization to educate, communicate with the press, help young people, and provide some behavioral accountability for resorts and naturist parks? [/qb]

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Last I heard TNS has about 16,000-20,000 members. Do we need an organization that educates, etc? We already have two. TNS has NEF for education and AANR has programs for that too. However, because of the small amount of people that actually belong to them they really don't have the funds to do anything major. And AANR is for all intents and purposes run by the clubs so don't count on accountability.

[nacktman]

Sorry to hear about the demise of a great idea, due to closed mindedness interfering with a truly money printing license for the local businesses. I well know the options faced by said businesses... large... maybe annual... influx of income and the possibility of less than avarage incomes because of it throughout the year...turns into a no brainer. It is a tragic result brought on by tragic people. I had hope it would be an annual event and maybe being able to attend in future years...this year I am concentrating my efforts into getting our new landed club off the ground and have it up and running for years to come. And, to touch on the TNS numbers our club includes membership in TNS with our membership so we are trying to help there in our own little way. We also are going to support INA as well and advise our members to become INA members. We are reluctant to associate with AANR but will most likely do so.
Keep up the ideas guys they will come to fruition, just takes longer than we hoped sometimes.

[NakedGary]

California has twenty other water parks, some that would probably be pleased to host such an event.

Here is a central link for information on those parks:
http://themeparks.about.com/cs/water...waterparks.htm

I say go ahead with plans for the event, and schedule or arrange it in another area that is more tolerant, doesn?t mind people being au natural at private events, and is use to or can handle public or private ridicule, & media coverage, and would appreciate the revenue and tax dollars generated by such an event.

The State Capitol area or San Francisco Bay area would be a good central area for the event, have good transportation and facilities for those traveling from out of the area, then on to one of the several landed or non landed nudist clubs in the area, or destinations like San Francisco, Wine areas, historic gold rush areas, and Lake Tahoe.

[Zorro]

quote:

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Originally posted by NakedGary:
[qb] California has twenty other water parks, some that would probably be pleased to host such an event.[/qb]

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Now, that is certainly something to think about.

[WacoTX]

Maybe TNS, AANR, and INA should hold a summit and discuss how they could coordinate their publicity and recruiting.