Toyota Field — Local services in Madison

The fireworks show was amazing last year so my family and I couldn’t wait to attend this years show. Unfortunately, it was a disappointment. I purchased my tickets in advance and was surprised to see a sign when we pulled in that parking was $10. There was no charge for the parking last year. However, we must’ve gotten there early enough because there was no one there taking money so that was good. $10 a ticket plus $10 to park is a lot of money before you ever walk in the door. Waited in line to enter for 20 minutes and was turned away because my wallet was a little bit over size limit. I had been to a baseball game there in May and no one said anything then. It’s not like I was carrying an AK 47 in my small wallet. Just check the wallet for heaven’s sake. But no, I had to hike back to the car and take my card(because no cash is accepted) keys, cell phone and shove them in my pockets. Of course they want you to go in the gift shop and pay $30 for a clear bag. I went back and stood in line again and got through. Found a seat and realized there was no live entertainment like their website said and like there was last year. Just some moonbounces and such. Grown people and older kids aren’t interested in those. So, we sat there for 2 hours twiddling our thumbs in silence. Forget about having a snack! The lines were insane with over an hour wait at the few stands they had and I’m not even going to talk about the prices because they are highway robbery. $7 for a lemonade! $13 for 3 chicken fingers and fries. There are no vendors selling stuff in the stands either like they used to at the Stars games. Finally at 9:00 the fireworks started and it was spectacular-for 15 minutes then it was over. Then over an hour to get out of the stadium parking lot. Definitely not worth it for what we got. It was much better last year and not happy about the false advertising on the live entertainment or the way I was treated about my wallet. Won’t be back again…. There are plenty of free fireworks shows where I won’t get hassled. Keep this up and you’ll never be able to pay your bill off to the city of Madison no matter how many $7...

We recently took 200 3rd graders on a field trip to see a Trash Pandas game. 15/22 of my students have never been to a baseball game, and I doubt they ever will after our experience. It was a hot day and our seats were in full sun. Within 10 minutes the kids started asking for water, and after 1 hour they began chanting "we want water!" When I requested 22 empty cups, I was told I had to pay 4.00 (plus tax) for each cup. I literally had students throwing up due to heat stroke, and they made me pay 4.00 for a cup of ice and water. The kids were not interested in the game and tried to lay on the floor and use their seat to block the sun. Our usher, Joseph, was amazing and took care of us. He also tried to get water cups and helped a male student in the bathroom when he was sick. For such an impressionable trip for the kids in their community, I would expect the Trash Pandas to go above and beyond. Where were the characters for pictures when we arrived? Where were the cups for water for 200 kids, seeing as they can't bring in their water bottles and they don't have credit cards? Where was the backup plan for when the power went out and the fire alarm was blaring? When we got back to school, I heard students saying it was a waste of money and how they would have rather stayed at school. One even said, "they really are TRASH Pandas!" You guys...

Took the family to see the Christmas lights at Toyota Field. $25 per vehicle and they provided multiple popcorn coupons. The lights were very good and they have a clear, slow path. The Galaxy of lights at the Botanical Garden has a longer, more interesting path but these lights are newer and fill the entire extended parking lot. The bonus is that you can go in through the Trash Panda gift shop and into the stadium. A local orchestra was playing Christmas music. A few local vendors had wood and other hand made items to buy. All the food vendors in the stadium were open to include beer. There were a few dressed up characters walking around to wave at the kids and take photo ops, and there's a booth to write letters to Santa. You redeem your popcorn voucher at the last vendor and can even purchase s'mores kits to use on the lighted fire tables nearby. The kids loved roasting their marshmallows over the table fire and eating their snacks. Overall, well worth the price of admission and the kids really enjoyed the...