Pacific Open Water Challenge - Am I expecting too much?

I did the POW in 2008 when it was by the Belmont Pier in Long Beach. It was a funky, fun community event. Had various events - 1 mile swim, 5K swim, aquathlon, stand alone 5K, even a doggy dash swim/run, which was tons of fun to watch Couldn't do it last year at the new venue due to illness, but heard they still had the aquathlon, cool shirts, etc. Returned this year. It's now associated with the 5K and 10K national championships, which is quite cool as it ups the event's profile. The venue is nice (and water doesn't smell as bad as the Belmont pier area). But I have to say I was disappointed, and not sure if I am being petty? Spent $35 for entry (buddy spent $40 on the beach). No swim cap. No T Shirt. No announcing at the end. No awards that I could make out. I exited the water about 1:05, about mid pack of the 4Kers, and they were breaking down barriers. Someone asked to look at my number and disappeared. No race clock. No post race water. It was kinda like, get out of the water, thanks for coming, towel off and leave. Like I spent $35 just to swim their laid-out course. Is it just an extra way to make money since the course is already set up for the pros? I could have swum in Manhattan Beach for free that morning. OK, it's not like I need any of this stuff. I have a sack full of race caps at home, but I'll wear them for OW swims. I do like wearing race t shirts even though I have more cotton race shirts than I can shake a stick at. But a cool race shirt will make the cut, and I heard they were good last year. (even Naples Island has this stuff, and it's cheaper). I'm not a top swimmer so not taking home medals. But it is a race, and it should have a race or community environment, like it did in 2008. There also seemed to be a scheduling issue. Website said 4K started at 1:45. Got there and was told it started at 1:30. Luckily, we were a bit early. Afterwards, as I was drying off, some guy asked me what I swam, and when I said the 4K, he said "I thought that started at 3???" Apparently a number of guys were waiting to swim the 4K while it was going on (this was not confirmed though). Granted, that is on them as far as I could tell, but the schedule was getting shifted some. The only good thing about this event is that you are certain it's accurately measured so it can be a benchmark for future swims. But as an event/race? That aspect was completely non-existent. I cannot say for sure I'd go back and do this race I appreciate that maybe it's really all about the serious 5K/10K swimmers now, which is cool, but we pay to enter as well. Maybe there simply weren't enough entrants to warrant a cap/shirt/medals. There certainly were in 2008, so maybe they need to expand the focus. Or not. I know Steven Munatones pops in here now and again so maybe he can comment.