Celebration of Horses on the Moselle: An Association Ensuring Inclusive Horse Festival Enjoyment for All
The Horse Festival in Piesport is taking significant strides towards becoming a more inclusive and accessible event, following the lead of organisations promoting barrier-free celebrations. This year, the festival will welcome an inclusive dance formation from Trier and a group from Vienna, alongside the club's own band, "Alpina Weiss Bescheid," which features four of its six members with disabilities.
Accessibility for guests is a key focus at the Horse Festival. While the venue is not yet fully barrier-free, the organisers are working diligently to implement comprehensive accessibility services. Nisha Dietz, from the association "Initiative 'Barrier-Free Celebrations'", emphasises the importance of a barrier-free event becoming a reality.
In line with best practices observed at leading festivals, the Horse Festival is introducing several accessibility measures. These include designated accessible entrances and lanes, accessibility wristbands or passes, accessible routes throughout the venue, provision of accessible restrooms, shuttle or golf cart services, power outlets and charging stations for mobility devices, disability concierges or accessibility centres, reserved seating or designated wheelchair-friendly viewing areas, and advance accommodation requests.
The association is also gathering feedback from visitors with disabilities and from within the association to further develop the concept of a barrier-free event. Over the years, the association has built a network of inclusive music and dance groups, and the Horse Festival in Piesport is proud to be part of this concept.
Despite the small, time-consuming measures that could be implemented without much money often being overlooked, the Horse Festival in Piesport is demonstrating that accessibility is not just about ticking boxes, but about creating an enjoyable, equitable experience for all attendees.
However, it's important to note that the association's checklist for ensuring a barrier-free event is not complete and will be updated after the festival. Many organisers are hesitant about implementing barrier-free concepts due to perceived high costs, but the Horse Festival in Piesport is proving that with dedication and a focus on inclusivity, accessible events can be both feasible and rewarding.
[1] International Symbol of Access [2] Events and Disability: Ensuring an Inclusive Experience [3] Making Your Event Accessible: A Guide for Organisers [4] Accessibility at Music Festivals: Best Practices and Challenges [5] Accessibility Checklist for Event Organisers
- To enhance the overall experience at the Horse Festival, the organizing committee is considering adopting outdoor living concepts for some areas, aiming to blend home-and-garden elements with the festival's unique atmosphere, thereby enriching the lifestyle of all attendees.
- As the Horse Festival continues to strive for inclusivity and accessibility, they encourage dance groups and music enthusiasts who share a passion for outdoor-living and appreciate a barrier-free environment to join the festival in future years, fostering a diverse and inclusive lifestyle celebration.
