This thread is making me sad. Lots of anger and fear. There is risk attached to everything but there can be joy in doing unusual things too, if you allow yourself to find it. Life is full of obstacles and distractions which stop us from doing things which could be great. I don't know this event but I know an 'airing of the quilts' can be such a lovely civic event, and quite often, more joy than pain eventuates, really.
Oh well. Lots of people think the way I live is crazy, so I shouldn't be surprised I guess that I feel differently.