...K P F T news

Approximately 300,000 people are participating in today's BP Power of Freedom Festival. The event is sponsored by companies including British Petroleum, HEB and Bud Light. It has become part of a growing trend of charging Houstonians to attend events occurring on otherwise public property.

According to Susan Christian, the city's Director of Marketing and Special Events for Parks, Houston has had an Independence Day celebration along Buffalo Bayou since the eighties.

About eight years ago, the city began fencing the event area and charging admission.

"At one time it was a free event. About, oh probably, seven years ago, eight years ago, we fenced it, made it a much more secure event. We turned it more into a family event."

For the second year in a row, BP has acquired title sponsorship.

"I think by and large, the public understands that if we're going to continue to have these huge celebrations that every year go up in price, that if they have to pay a moderate fee, it's worth it."

Not all festival goers agree with the current trend of charging admission. Scott, from Spring Branch, was outside the gate finishing refreshments with friends and family before entering the festival.

"It used to be free, and now they charge you money, and it1s commercialized. They1ve got sponsorship. We don1t need that."

Scott's friend Debbie thought charging admission excludes certain parts of the community.

"This used to be a festival for the people, all the people, all generations, all nationalities, who were poor. And a little thing like this brings us all together."

Because of increased security concerns, people were searched thoroughly this year. Absolutely no one was able to bring in coolers. Before entering the festival, Javier Chavez had to wait with his family while his wife returned with the car to pick up the cooler.

"Well, we [are] waiting for my wife to get inside but they don't let us get in with the ice chest. So we can't get in until she get[s] here."

Mauryzia Wong and Brandon Moeller, KPFT, Houston.

E-mail Mauryzia Wong and Brandon Moeller at mw_houston@yahoo.com and brandonmoeller@hotmail.com respectively.