LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Many parents on social media expressed outrage over an amateur event featuring characters from “Bluey” with crowds of disappointed families, while the restaurant offered an apology and told FOX5 that they did not expect the massive turnout with high expectations.
The Dirt Dog restaurant event that was posted on Facebook had a response of 3,000 people. It advertised an event with Bluey and other characters from the popular show, and free offerings like face painting and desserts.
Photos from parents show lines out the door and people posted on social media concerns about capacity and crowd control. When inside the crowded restaurant, people encountered amateur costumes, homemade treats and face painting from a restaurant staff member.
“I was mad. He looked unexpected,” said Sophia, a child who attended the event. “We could see his beard,” she said about the less-than-ideal Bluey impersonator.
“The kids were distraught. Some kids were crying. Some kids were upset, crying in their parents’ shoulders,” mother Stephanie Hernandez said. “How could you do that to little kids: advertise something so fun and eventful for kids ranging from toddlers to six, seven years old, and not actually follow through with it? It was a very upsetting moment to see so many kids, especially my daughter, just really upset,” she said.
Dirt Dog management sat down with FOX5 to explain the well-meaning intentions behind the event. Staff like to plan events for their “regulars,” and they volunteered to be the costume characters, worked as staff for face painting and even baked goods for the event. One restaurant worker personally baked 125 cupcakes, but they were gobbled up shortly after the event started.
“We expected like maybe 50 to 60 people–not in the sense of like the whole city coming out. Just now knowing who Bluey is, we would have planned ahead and would have had security,” said Taj Wilder, a spokesperson for marketing for the restaurant. She said while the event had 3,000 responses on Facebook, many other posts garner similar interest but crowds never turn out.
Wilder apologized to disappointed customers and promises more for customers and families.
“We’re very much family. We love on each other, we support each other. We’re going to continue to make events, create events, especially free ones, for families to come out and have a good time with us,” she said.
The restaurant posted an apology on social media and promises to make it up to the community. Wilder tells FOX5, the restaurant’s marketing team from Los Angeles will come and plan a family-friendly event, and they are working to secure the real Bluey for an appearance.
Parents had mixed reviews and responses online to the event and the apology.
“Thanks for ruining my 3 year olds day!” one parent said.
“I drove one hour just to see a grown man in PJs,” another wrote.
Some defended the restaurant. “A free event. It is a risk you take,” one parent said.
Other parents were pleased with the event. “My son loved this event! Thank you for hosting!” another said online.
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