seeking input on 2013 season

[Riff Raff]

I have a lot of pent up feedback since I'm never around for exit surveys. Hopefully this is constructive, and I'll try to alternate between positive and negative. This was my first season as a Friend of Faire.

• The mulch was killer, but everyone knows that the sand can be too. Plenty said about that above. Suffice it to say that I felt particularly bad when I saw people struggling with all their might to pull someone in a wheelchair up the hill.
• Vana MaZi was amazing, and I was constantly impressed by the energy levels they kept up throughout the day even when some of their performers were playing without any significant break for the entire day due to doubling with Wine & Alchemy and/or Wino Vino. With that said, I'd still love to see Circa Paleo again as well.
• I don't want Sherwood to become a daylight hours only faire, like Scarborough. I really didn't like that the closing fire show had been moved up to happen before dusk on the last couple of weekends. People being able to find their way to vehicles in the parking lot after dark is a very valid concern, but one which I feel can be solved through just adding a bit more light as was done with the tiki torches lighting the way along paths within the faire. Sherwood is magical after dark. Please let people continue to experience this magic.
• Pride O' Bedlam needs to come back... a lot... with more audience seating. They had one of the most raucous standing room only performances I've ever seen at Sherwood, and could add a lot to Pub Sing I think.
• The new jousting group was a bit of a letdown after previous seasons with Knights of Mayhem. It's still above average compared to most other faires, but it's not something I would be bragging about all over the place like I used to. The new group shows promise though, and things would be much improved if their shows just had more actual jousting in them. They could also use more riders, as an early unhorsing can make the actual jousting portion of the show extremely short.
• Gypsy Eyes were outstanding, and need to come back for more weekends. They've already outgrown the Plum Tree stage.
• Pub Sing has lost its mojo. The main problem is that the band shell at the Trip seems to actually absorb most of the sound somehow. Two tables out from it, I can barely hear what they're playing. At some points I was standing ten feet in front of them and still struggling to understand words being sung.  Apart from that though, I think it could also use more group participation songs. And there needs to be some space made for dancers.
• Obviously the Washing Well Wenches were a huge hit. But I think you already know this.
• I don't feel like the faerie/elf performers are integrated well enough into Sherwood. You have a huge performance group there, which includes a few very good improv players. Please look for opportunities to use them in other shows (particularly any that are oriented towards children, of course).
• Three Stags Pub was a fabulous addition.  I really liked the vibe in there for the Saxon Moon and Bedlam Bards shows, in particular.  Also, thank you for having more Bedlam Bards dirty shows.
  
• The parade is... fast. Slowing them down a bit would be good. As would getting more participation. Perhaps invite some of the patron clans that wear matching group garb to join in (like the knights of the round table). Getting more entertainers involved would also be good.
• Sherwood could really use a good pipe band. Jason Gunn's solo shows were always a bit awkward and Drones & Drums was an improvement, but they're still not there yet.
• The decision to have amplified sound this season was a good one. One of Sherwood's biggest strengths is the huge and varied music scene. With amplified sound, there was music practically everwhere you went. Huzzah.
• The autism horse boy guy seemed like a good cause, but the long presentation right before a joust took me out of the ren faire experience more than anything else.  It just didn't fit.
  

[SirRichardBear]

have questionnaire at the camping gate.   The biggest complaint is that its Sherwood yet there is no archery tournament for patrons to compete in.  Biggest suggestion is to add an archery tournament that is open to the patrons.  I would suggest that patrons be allowed to shoot in a qualify round during the day using their own longbow and arrows and if they qualify they be allowed to shoot with Robin at 6pm.  A fee of $10 or so would seem reasonable for this.  Either that or base it off the patron ran archery tournament at Scarborough. 

[SQiRL]

@ SirRichardBear

I was told that we could participate in the archery tournament so long as we had the right style bow,  and wore garb. 

Did somebody specifically state to you that you couldn't attempt to qualify and shoot in the tournament? 

[SirRichardBear]

was told could shot with the merry men over by the Pirate stage but that the 6 oclock was for cast and participants only.

[mpullen]

Noted on the exit survey at the campgrounds gate. Thought about that around week 4 of this season.

Remember exit surveys mostly concentrate on the Faire area and not the campgrounds.

[SQiRL]

yea,  but the people in the campground also go into the faire area  lol.  Their opinions/observations should be just as welcome.

[KiltedPrivateer]

1) Another exceptional season.  Brian, Eric and George, as well as your entire staff, you do a fantastic job.  I appreciate that you had the means to bring your dreams to reality, and I thank you for allowing us to play in your play ground.  Best danged play ground I've ever had the opportunity to dream in.

2) I don't want to see the taco shop in the camps driven out of business, but it was a detriment to our faire camping experience.  The lights caused much light pollution and the generator was very noisy.  Perhaps it could be moved closer to the general store, forming a quasi camp ground town center.

3) The Washing Well Wenches are much beloved and our entire group (Clan P.) hopes to see them in seasons to come.

4) Surveys, I forgot to fill out my survey.  It probably would have been easier if there had been some at the back gate (o:

5) Rios on Friday night and Season Closing Sunday night.  I'm not a fan.  Perhaps this could be moved further from the camp grounds.  If not perhaps the sound could be engineered to stay in the participants campground so that we don't have to hear about topless karaoke at 330 in the morning (Closing Sunday).

6) I foresee a future bricked or stoned path.  My family is now in a position to donate some time, sweat, tears and the almighty dollar to get this built.  However, we're not part of the elite echelon of society so we can't fund the entire project, but would love to contribute as much as we can.  I see this as being a necessity.  I'm not a historian but I have a good feeling that stone masons existed in this time period.  EDIT: The wife has suggested using tree ring slices in place of stone or brick.  Perhaps with the help of Terry there could be a path of tree trunks.  Just another idea with a resource that is somewhat plentiful at Sherwood.

7) Gatherings: Please plan gatherings around NON public holidays.  I understand this is not part of the faire season, but it is part of the faire as a whole.  Our clan is made up of great people who would love to come out and help build something new in the faire, but we can't do that when the gatherings are around holidays that are customarily spent with family.  We really want to spend more time with our fairemily, but it can only happen if we get our own faire time holidays.

  Again, Sherwood has been a great joy for my family.  We sing it's praises to everyone who stands still long enough.  It's because of forum threads like this that we love you and everything you do to make sure that the community as a whole stays involved.  And if you're Chinese, this list ends on a lucky number (o:

Michael Wrenn
Lorde Charles - Clan Procrastination

[PollyPoPo]

Re:  paths, stone or brick

Please don't do the fake cobblestone look that TRF did.  The curved surface actually creates a tripping/ankle turning surface that puts people back onto the grass.

Alas, it may be necessary to come up with a modern solution, such as crushed stone on road base. Otherwise, people will continue to make their own paths around obstacles such as muddy ruts on hills last year and the mulched areas this year. 

This may not be in keeping with the past nor the idea of keeping the forest as natural as possible, but the continued increase in people traffic during faire calls for positive action to encourage people to use designated pathways, rather than trample down all the vegetation under the trees. 

[rengypsy]

we are reading all your comments and suggestions.  keep them coming...

[scarletnyx]

Here's an ( obvious ) second to the water fountains. The only really two big things I make sure I have on me at any fair is sunscreen and water - I burn easy, and I have this fear of getting dehydrated even when it's not hot outside. I have a gourd and so does Alex, so those are usually our water vessels. Also, I would love some Sherwood water bottles! A nice little faire reminder that you can take with you all through the year

Dust is dust, I completely understand that. Mulch got pretty compacted down by the end of faire though there were still some large pieces. Over time ( and with more rain methinks ) it will pack into the loose sand - by closing you could definitely tell it was on it's way.

I loved the glass blower. He was smart, intelligent, and worked a crowd well. I've always wanted to see glassblowing, but I've never made it to the one at TRF. Overall, a fantastic year with many, many fond memories!

[RenStarr]

we are reading all your comments and suggestions.  keep them coming...

Rengypsy.........Any chance we could get some feedback on your end about some of the suggestions that have been offered up?  Being more specific, what has caught your eye as something that is do-able, what is on the "in the future list", etc......   I'm seeing some great ideas!!


Another idea about the surveys:  how about one that can filled out online from the web site?   Make it time specific, 4-5 days following a weekend.  Just another way to gather data over the course of the season.   

[Riff Raff]

I loved the glass blower. He was smart, intelligent, and worked a crowd well.

Agreed. I've never seen a craft demonstration so fully engaged with the audience. My parents were drawn in to it the day they visited, and we all loved it. He had standing room only for his demos every single time I ever walked by one in progress.

[rengypsy]

we are having our post faire business meeting next weekend.  will present all of yall's recommendations...and will report back after the meeting on what's been decided.  fair?

[Merlin the Elder]

You guys are always MORE than "faire!"

[*Teach*]

I've been trying every time I look on this forum to think of something to improve.
It's tough. Sherwood is about as close to perfect as I can imagine.
I do have to echo one thing, the sound in the Jerusalem pub can be better. The back tables can barely hear anything at pub sing.

*how about a rum tasting weekend along with the wine tasting?*