Problems with the community fire

[Lord Dragonspyre]

Oh great... now I feel bad.

[LadyJessica]

Well from what I gather they were checking for tickets on Thursday last week as well...I may be wrong but I thought that I heard that.  Maybe it's just for those coming in on Thursday and Friday night.

[KiltedPrivateer]

We were asked last week on thursday night, when we pulled in, if we had our tickets already.  However, I did not actually show them even though I did have them.  So I was asked, but not verified. 

I've been trying real hard to stay out of this thread.  Many people have said the same things over and over.  Most I agree with, some I do not.

Those individuals who are infiltrating our campsites and our world are not there to contribute to the fantasy, or enhance the enjoyment, that we associated with this board are there for.

The attendance of these individuals must be curbed.  The unfortunate reality is that compromises will have to be made.  These compromises are undoubtedly going to inconvenience someone.  There is no way around this.  History is full of examples of sacrificing the few for the good of the many.

Our clan always has a big cookout on the first Saturday night of the faire.  We invite friends of ours who will not be camping.  Chances are we may end up being the ones inconvenienced if our dinner guests are unable to get into the campground.

The way I see it, there is always a silver lining.  Maybe I'll actually be able to talk some of those dinner guests into actually camping with us.  I'm willing to bend if the end result is a camping experience devoid of negative influences on our renaissance experience.

I hope everyone has a great time this weekend and I look forward to seeing everyone again for Highland Fling weekend.

*Wheres that rum Teach - Its past kickin back time*

[*Teach*]

Already kicked back bro

*rum don't have a time... rumthirty is what time my watch is stuck on*

[LadyTrinn]

Well from what I gather they were checking for tickets on Thursday last week as well...I may be wrong but I thought that I heard that.  Maybe it's just for those coming in on Thursday and Friday night.

Jess, we rolled in Friday late afternoon and no one asked us to show tickets....or if we even had any...but then again, the car was very obviously packed to the gills with camping/ren stuff so that *might* have been why. I don't know...

[ScoutColt]

So uh, for those of you that havent heard. They caught three guys out of the techno camp trying to steal a tent or something (I'm going off secondhand). They then went over to techno camp to arrest them and someone jacked up the music really loud, so the cops told the entire camp to pack up and LEAVE.

Once again all secondhand, but when we went by there they were completely moved out, and the rumor was everywhere!

Btw, my group found a new way to deal with ravers. We had a group set up by us this weekend.... we went over and made friends. Asked if they were 21 and offered alcohol to those that were, toldem we cooked more than enough and to come by later and were generally just friendly neighbors. Sure enough when the thumping started at night, I went over and asked if they could turn the car around so it pushed the sound into their camp and turn it down just a notch cuz we had some kids and some people that needed to be up early.... they were more than happy to oblige.

A little bit of frontend kindness could/can pay off in the end. I know not all groups are like that, and if people went straight for "turn the music off" it might be a ruined attempt now as they are jaded, but we talked to them when they came to cmp and kinda explained "our" faire, and told all of our stories and not only did they act more respectful, they seemed genuinely interested in giving it a try.... enough so that three of them came out with kilts from faire.

Just food for thought.

[Taffy Saltwater]

I live close enough that camping isn't necessary.  It seems to me that anonymous people are making trouble for the regulars.  One simple thing might be to have a two part ticket or hangtag, w/the vehicle's plate number & the number of campers for that vehicle attached to the ticket/hangtag.  The ticket/hangtag would only be good for that particular vehicle.  The ticket/hangtag would need to be numbered for ease in finding which vehicle belonged to which ticket.  Maybe camp rules in small print for the driver's signature.

At least the ravers, etc., would know that their vehicles were recorded.

[Lord Duelist]

Btw, my group found a new way to deal with ravers. We had a group set up by us this weekend.... we went over and made friends. Asked if they were 21 and offered alcohol to those that were, toldem we cooked more than enough and to come by later and were generally just friendly neighbors. Sure enough when the thumping started at night, I went over and asked if they could turn the car around so it pushed the sound into their camp and turn it down just a notch cuz we had some kids and some people that needed to be up early.... they were more than happy to oblige.

Glad to hear things worked out for the best. Yes, sometimes this approach will work, but there are other times it will not.

[Rani Zemirah]

Btw, my group found a new way to deal with ravers. We had a group set up by us this weekend.... we went over and made friends. Asked if they were 21 and offered alcohol to those that were, toldem we cooked more than enough and to come by later and were generally just friendly neighbors. Sure enough when the thumping started at night, I went over and asked if they could turn the car around so it pushed the sound into their camp and turn it down just a notch cuz we had some kids and some people that needed to be up early.... they were more than happy to oblige.

A little bit of frontend kindness could/can pay off in the end. I know not all groups are like that, and if people went straight for "turn the music off" it might be a ruined attempt now as they are jaded, but we talked to them when they came to cmp and kinda explained "our" faire, and told all of our stories and not only did they act more respectful, they seemed genuinely interested in giving it a try.... enough so that three of them came out with kilts from faire.

Just food for thought.

That's the ticket... infiltrate, separate and obfuscate!!!

Kindness works in many instances where force simply creates a martyr complex. Perhaps all some of them really need is a welcome, and a little inclusion? Not all, I'm sure, but a few from each camp could go a long way to alleviating many of the problems.

Maybe there could be a Ren Recruiting Force... sort of like a Welcome Wagon, going around to all the non-Ren camps, bringing gifts of Loki (for the grown-ups, of course) and something-on-a-stick, enticing them all to actually come in through the gates and participate! Then they could be gradually turned to the Ren Side... (whispers - join us, join us, join us...)

[mieljolie]

You can come by our camp with loki and other gifts anytime!  Hehe 

We've actually never tried loki.  Anyway, we're happy to share what we have with anyone.  I think this is probably the best idea I've heard for stopping the craziness.

[brigaqueen1]

I had heard from one of our neighbors in Valhalla that they did turn away a lot of young people at the gate Friday night...whether they were underage or not I don't know, but that is my guess.

The campground in general wasn't as jam packed as first weekend, and was actually nice and relaxed Sat. night. Some morons were shooting off firecrackers and I know Charlie went over there to find out who did it, but dont know if he actually caught them. (I hope he did!)

And I was asleep early but I heard Sun morning that the officers wound up shutting down the drum circle.

[Tanyor]

did any of you have problems with getting in without tickets?

[ScoutColt]

They never asked. Lol. They only seem to ask on opening day and they don't care what you give as an answer.

[Zardoz]

After not camping at TRF since the 70's, I planned to camp over Highland weekend, but all this talk is putting me off the idea.

[Spanish_Peacock]

Nah Zardoz, it's not that bad. Just take a few sensible precautions. For every one jerk out there there are hundreds of really cool people to meet.

Don't let our grousing spoil it for you before you even go.
Once you get your camp set up, its a fantastic feeling just being there!

I'm always glad when I'm there and always sad to leave.