[Don’t miss out on my Instagram Stories! Be sure to follow me on Instagram to see the most updated stories. Enjoy my IG Story blog. ]
If you give me a good reason to dress up in pink or white and drink champagne or rose wine all day in, I’m all in. Pinknic celebrated its second year this past weekend and with it came a lot good but a whole lot of bad too. Pinknic is a 2-day all food, music, and rose wine festival that happens on Governor’s Island. There was a whole lot of rosé wine, rosé champagne, frosé, food from a local celebrity chef, live performances from bands and DJs, a pool, and plenty of “surprises”. One surprise for sure was when the two-day event became a one-day event due to weather issues preventing anyone on the grounds on Saturday due to flooding. Thankfully, your girl Narz had Sunday tickets planned so my plans weren’t foiled, but it still didn’t go as smooth as I would have hoped.
The Good
Ok Let’s start with what went right with Pinknic. First space it’s gorgeous! The entire marketing, promotion, decor, and ambiance of the place was calm, refreshing, and amazing. I paid a bit extra for VIP Le Parasol lounge which was well worth it. I sat on super comfy white couches under parasols on a platform separated from the general area. I went with my partner in crime, Jess, and we had ordered a pre-fix basket for 2 which included pulled pork, truffle quinoa, macaroons, strawberries, and tons of non-alcoholic drinks. After purchasing our own bottle of rose wine, we lounged and befriended some amazing people from all over the world! The atmosphere was just so loving and fun no one seemed to be in an awful mood.
After speaking with a lot of folks who had been at the first Pinknic, I learned that the previous year tickets were a quarter of the price. Our $350 VIP tickets were $90 last year and although I had an amazing time, for $350 there were something things I would have liked to have been made well aware of beforehand or at least gotten a bit more bang for my buck. The $350 VIP tickets included the following:
VIP ADMISSION TICKETS
- One-day access to the event, June 24 or June 25, from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Ferry tickets to and from Governors Island
- Priority boarding at Manhattan Ferry Dock
- Expedited VIP line at event entrance
- Seating in our VIP Gardens with partial shade, hammocks, and pillows
- Access to VIP Tents with additional Rosé Wine Bars
- Access to VIP Bathrooms
- Pinknic Blanket (one per guest)
- Pinknic Wine Glass (one per guest)
- Pinknic Ice Bags (one per bottle purchased)
- Access to Music Festival with live performances (access to front stage area)
- Access to Rosé Wine Bars and Frosé Bars (wine not included in ticket price)
- Access to Food Court
- Access to Pinknic Boutiques (summer fashions available for purchase)
- Access to Ferris Wheel (complimentary rides)
The majority of this grants access to someone to get to the event early via priority boarding, expedited line into the event, and VIP bathrooms. Seating in the VIP “gardens” could be a bit misleading as it was really a lounge area. Access to VIP tents seemed a little unnecessary since the lounge had a bar already and gave neither me nor anyone else any reason to actually leave to a tent. Access to the live performance front stage area was open to everyone at some point. It didn’t really matter if you were VIP or not.
Our entrance didn’t include a Wine glass or Ice bag. We paid for a bottle and received glassed upon purchase of a bottle. Access to the food court didn’t make sense for us either since we had already purchased a basket for two in advanced. Access to Pinknic Boutiques was also open to everyone, so why it was included in the price was a bit demoralizing. Lines to the Ferris Wheel were far too long and bothersome as people spilled drinks on seats and made it unenjoyable.
The Bad
Now bear with me when I say what I have to say. I know the event coordinators must have been scrambling after having to cancel Saturday, but shouldn’t that give them more an incentive to work hard for Sunday? As soon as we got off the ferry on Governor’s Island, signs were scarce where to go. What made it worse was how disorganized it seemed the day of the event. Locations of food, restrooms, and trolley services were just absent or obscure. Trolley service to the lawn from the ferry was an additional charge which again, package that with people’s tickets! Have information available for people to know what there is to do. Pamphlets, brochures, or guides are an additional expense sure, but by gosh I wish I was well informed of a trolley I could have gotten on instead of walking in heels to the place. It’s a long walk!
Also, do I wish that our $350 ticket got us our first bottle of drink for free? Um, YES?! Heck, If I pay that much It wouldn’t kill the location to offer even just a glass of rose. I’m here to feel fabulous and drink rose all day! At some point in my lovely day, I was aggressively harassed by a paramedic who saw my friend relaxing and sleeping as a bad sign. Even after confirming she was just tired and rudely and violently waking her up to confirm she was fine it baffled me how he threatened to take her to the hospital. Again, I get that this event must have produced a lot of individuals that may have gotten a little too inebriated, it gives no medical professional the right to aggressively assault or threaten me.. I have never in my life yelled at a paramedic before, but in this moment he was yelling at me and talking down to me as I had murdered his family. After that altercation, I made the decision to leave. I would not tolerate anyone giving me and my friend such disrespect. Whomever this dude was if you do not like your professional then find something else. If you are not happy, then cut what makes you feel miserable, but do not take your frustration and anger on people who paid a lot of money to unwind and relax.
The Fabulous
HIGH FIVE TO THE DECORATOR AND THE DESIGNER. The entire event was so magically beautiful and with the sun setting, it made me truly believe I was transported to another oasis far from work, depression, and negativity. If you don’t get what I mean, just look at all these fabulous pictures I took.
In conclusion, I would give the event one last shot, but don’t think I’ll pay more for the same. Oh, I also forgot to mention, whoever the dude at the fruit popsicle stand was needs to not get hired again for this event. It seemed so useless and was doing absolutely nothing while working the counter. He gave neither the right answers to the question nor sold popsicles. LOL. I mean he was good to look at it, but then strip him to his boxers and have him walk around the lawn earning money that way.
Anyhoo, I don’t expect this blog to get traction, but I thought I should definitely get my thoughts out there.
Till next time baes.
xoxo,
Narz 💋
Like this:
Like Loading...
Narz 