how many acres is MI faire on? and still free ticket with donation?

[laedyfaire]

Just read in the Ren mag that attendance is 250,000! my home faire sits on 65 acres and we get 150,000 and seems jam packed on some days..so was wondering about the geographical size of this faire.

Also saw that the first 3 weekends, if you bring food donation, you get one ticket free? Anyone know if this is still true? Thanks....LF

[deadgurl]

Last I head the actual site of the festival is something between 15-25 acres but this does not include the large parking areas on the same property. The festival had in the past given a discount for people on the first few weekends who bring in canned goods for donation, but you'll want to check with the office to make sure they are still doing this.  FYI it's literally about a mile's walk from the farthest parking area to the front gate, so dress accordingly and if you have kids, you can bring them in on strollers or carts.  Also, on days when the weather is really good and over Labor Day weekend, there are often elbow-to-elbow crowds on the site.  The office number is (800) 601-4848.

PS - if you are going to come to festival and have canned goods for the ticket discount, get there EARLY - I have seen the line to get in on some days and it can stretch all the way out into the parking lot area!

[Carl]

Yes its a buy one get one free ticket for 4 cannned goods. Opening weekend usally is not as crowded as other days . Mirf is pretty spread out so it can hold a large crowd. We always arrive by eight and get close parking. Gives us 2 hours to finish dressing and mingle with friends

[laedyfaire]

Ok...good to know. inside info like this always helps when attending a faire for the first time! Thanks so much..LF

[LAVAGODDESSSS]

Carl & Donna,

Do you have official word that they are doing the ticket and goods donation thing again this year?

It is no where on the site.

That site is a mess...but it'd be good to know officially if they have said they are doing donations, etc.

We always bring em, but end up just paying for the darn tickets, because it is too busy to get in in any reasonable time, even when we are early.

Oh well!

[Kathleen MacLeod]

There has been confirmation on the food drive given a few times on the facebook page 

[Eric of Lyon]

According to the "Media Film Kit"  http://michrenfest.com/MRFfilmkit.pdf the MRF has 312 acres (WOW!), 18 acres of it being the "village".   However, the "Media Media Kit"  http://michrenfest.com/MediaKit.pdf states the village is 17 acres.  The "village" would not include the vast parking areas.  While it can be crowded in certain areas (wall to wall sometimes back behind the castle and about Guinness, especially during the festivals latter weekends), I have found there are numerous spots on the grounds to step out of the crowds and breathe in the rich music and atmosphere the fest offers.