Dear Rennies,
Please take this ethereal paint brush. With it, you can paint into existence what you want at Sherwood Forest Faire.
Suggestions in any of the following topics, or those of your own creation:
Signage
Paths
Entertainment
Vendors
Games
Public Art
Pathways
Souveniers
Beverages
Food
Characters
Camping Grounds and Experience
Color the painting with your passion and your desires, your dreams and ideas.
Let's make this Faire a collective effort.
Rengypsy
I personally love the soothing sound of a bubbling brook. The idea of sitting on a bench under the shade of a tree or grassy area and hearing the sound of water while watching the passersby would be a nice respite from walking for a bit.
you gotta have the "log fight" between little john and robin... ending up in the water... that would be a sight!
Bagpipes sounding at opening of faire and closing!
Seating for eating and drinking and enjoying music.
Twisty paths! You never know WHAT will appear around each corner!
Many interesting characters make a faire!
Lots of places in the shade to sit and lots of tables where you can set your food down while you eat instead of either balancing it on your lap or eating while standing up.
Limited Edition or Dated Souveniers like tankards and pins.
Pathways made out of shredded mulch instead of gravel.
Shade.......even a grapevine covered pub area would be cool.
Places to sit.........even if they are just big blocks of stone.
As a suggestion and I realize this is easier said then done, But one thing that I thought of this past weekend at TRF was that; It would have been great if there had been some type of lodging on the actual site(read not a hotel) but a inn of sorts. Imagine waking up to the bustling of a time past and looking out of your window to see the town coming alive. I for one would pay good money for that. I do not mean a hotel with flat screens and elevators. A actual inn time period inn. Many people were handing over large amounts of money to stay at a hotel that was 40 minutes away at TRF and that money could have easily gone to the fair lodging. Granted it could not hold hundreds but I for one would be top of the list.
Lodging is a great idea! Add an after hours pub too!
Quote from: Queen Bonnie on November 19, 2008, 09:57:07 AM
Lodging is a great idea! Add an after hours pub too!
Agreed :), I did not want to sound like I was going overboard with the idea:)
Quote from: Queen Bonnie on November 13, 2008, 03:19:08 PM
Bagpipes sounding at opening of faire and closing!
Seating for eating and drinking and enjoying music.
Twisty paths! You never know WHAT will appear around each corner!
Many interesting characters make a faire!
Bonnie - Since Sherwood Forest Faire will have a
permanent Pirate Camp, your "interesting" evil twin is going to be constantly wanting to use the Meow-mobile to attend faire. ;) ;D
For the Faire:
Having the Food Vendors spread out, to avoid
traffic jams. :D
Another vote for plenty of tables in the Food areas and benches near the Stages / Pubs.
I posted this back in June, in
this thread (http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=466.0):
Quote from: MeRe: Sherwood Forest Faire
« Reply #32 on: June 20, 2008, 05:55:30 PM »
rengypsy,
Sounds like you foresee having four main areas in Sherwood Forrest Faire ---
1) Nottingham Castle and Town (probably near the parking and main entrance if that's where the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Pub will be, with access from inside and outside of the Faire)
Had another thought about this: I bet the "Castle" could be built to have the Main Entrance Gate in the middle - with the Pub on one end and an Inn at the other end (if you don't mind getting the permits to run a small Inn/Motel). The Faire Offices could also be incorporated into one end or the other of the "Castle" building.
2) Robin Hood's Sherwood Forrest Hideout & Stage (a place for the multi-story Tree House you mentioned before)
3) Hobbit and Fae Village & Community (this may also need to be near the parking areas if you're planning to have rental cabins there)
Another thought about having rental cabins - If they're on-site (inside the fence), would there be problems with insurance and having patrons there at night without also having Security on-site all night as well?
4) Pirate Cove Lake & Ship Stage (would you have a late-night Pub here, or would the Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem Pub be the late night one?)
Take Care,
David Baldock
i don't even know where this fest is but i love the idea hoodofsherwood. that would be fun if all the renaissance festivals had several inns
Of course, the downside to having an Inn at Faire - is that you have to pay Taxes and Insurance all the year 'round, even if the Inn is used only 2 - 4 months of the year. Plus, you have to try and hire staff who are willing to work only a few months of the year.
Just playing devil's advocate for a bit... ::)
Take Care,
David Baldock
where is the giant marshmellow i need to cataput at dbaldock
hey we can dream can't we
Quote from: dbaldock on November 19, 2008, 11:24:45 AM
Of course, the downside to having an Inn at Faire - is that you have to pay Taxes and Insurance all the year 'round, even if the Inn is used only 2 - 4 months of the year. Plus, you have to try and hire staff who are willing to work only a few months of the year.
Just playing devil's advocate for a bit... ::)
Take Care,
David Baldock
Just like the sheriff of nottingham would say it :) I jest
That side of it I have no idea, If that is the case which I am sure it is, Then we will need archers at the wall to keep the tax man at bay.
a couple of comments
the first year, the pirates will not have made it down the river trent. the lake and stream will be in phase two expansion. the opening year, the faire will span approx 20-25 acres in the forest proper.
lodging will eventually be available--hobbit houses to rent within the camp grounds.
will have plenty of benches and tree swings for rest.
good idea to have food spread out. i think i have three food vendors lined up. one influenced by the crusades and the travels of marco polo.
keep the ideas coming.
i tossed out an idea to members of my immediate tribe and they kinda looked funny at me--so i will throw it out there for your comments: a gallery in the making. entire walls of canvas where one or two artists each year are painting...kind of like the cistene chapel. evolving each year.
we also need design ideas.
here is what we are in need of:
1) sign designs to be along paths, in trees, etc...like "blessed be", "feed not the troll", "here be dragons"
2) fantasy designs for wooden and stone benches to be carved, as well as fantasy designs for carved swings to be hung in trees for patrons to sit on
3) lane names
4) pub names
5) ideas for what should be the lads and lasses area--some objects/games that would be free but would not require staff...as well as fee-associated games/activities
6) medieval props to be strewn throughout the faire for authenticity (ie. medieval carts/wagons, stocks, etc)
site plan will go into the county in two weeks. building will start in december. exciting times.
rengypsy
Quote from: rengypsy on October 22, 2008, 11:09:48 AM
Dear Rennies,
Please take this ethereal paint brush. With it, you can paint into existence what you want at Sherwood Forest Faire.
Suggestions in any of the following topics, or those of your own creation:
Signage
Paths
Entertainment
Vendors
Games
Public Art
Pathways
Souveniers
Beverages
Food
Characters
Camping Grounds and Experience
Color the painting with your passion and your desires, your dreams and ideas.
Let's make this Faire a collective effort.
Rengypsy
Signage - Brightly painted with font big enough to be read by all. Stages clearly marked by signage. If a stage sits behind a vendor row, arrows to mark the way to the stage. Stage show signage that reflects the stage's "theme."
Paths - A combination of gravel and wood chips so that patrons in wheelchairs and motorized scooters can manuever and have traction. Paths/lanes built up to avoid being flooded or washed away. Please, NO straw over mud puddles! That only makes bricks on the feet of patrons and performers and gets very slick, very fast. Shady spots along paths to sit and rest when tired.
Entertainment - a variety of genres of entertainment; not all signing groups, not all comedy groups, etc. Stages spaced far enough apart so one stage show does not 'drowned out' another show. Storage space built into each stage for performers to safely store props out of the way of others and of weather.
Vendors - a variety is always nice. Would be nice to see clothing vendors who specialize in clothes from the Silk Road, including Arabic cultures.
Games - Period games that folks, young and old, can try their hand at. Gentleman at Four Winds Faire makes and sells board games from the period as well as board games of his own design based on/inspired by period games.
Public Art - Artisan demonstrations in stonework/masonery. One gent spent an entire faire crafting the stone altar center piece for that faire's chapel. It was amazing to watch him work, listen to him speak (He has a sign that says "Gaelic Spoken Here") and to watch the altar piece come to life (Wolf with a lamb that looks so real your fingers itch to feel the lamb's wool).
Pathways - Wide pathways (2-3 folks abreast, if possible with lay of land) so that folks can easily maneuver whether on foot or on/in wheel chairs or scooters. Pathways that wind through and around trees - shade is essential to patrons and performers alike.
Souveniers - Period looking pins or pendants that performers could easily add to their garb. Agree with the limited edition souveniers idea - tankards, t-shirts, pins, etc.
Beverages - How difficult a task would it be to have freshly made lemonade available? Does the cost of supplies and manpower override projected purchases by patron and performer alike?
Food - well rounded and sensible choices so one is not eating continual grease. Would be wonderful to offer foods Crusaders might have enountered in their journeys.
Characters - Some nobility but bulk of cast being of the 'common folks' - makes the day more fun if one is not continually bowing to the upper crust.
Camping Grounds and Experience - shaded areas for the tent camping section - not only shade from sun but wind block as well. If county laws allow, proviso in campground rules for the use of above ground, contained fire pits. Some folks use them for heat source and to cook on. Ability to park cargo trailer and personal vehicle close to camping spot - better accessibility and sense of security for owner. Definately love the idea of an "all quiet after 10pm" campground for performers who desire a full night's rest so they can work the next day at faire. Also, for out-of-state performers, the ability to spend Sunday night on site and pull out on Monday morning. So much better than having to drop camp on Sunday night and drive hours home when one is exhausted. Also like the idea of showing photo ID and camping/parking pass to gain entrance to performer/vendor campground.
Trash recepticles - could 'false fronts' be made/purchased to sit the actual trash can in?
In response to your canvas painting wall - what would you do with each finished section of canvas? How would it be incorporated into the faire the following year? What happens when the entire faire site is full of canvas paintings?
3) lane names - Should reflect the area they traverse - for example; a downward incline could be "Tumble Way." A flat lane could be called "Harts Dash." Tree filled lane "Shady Glen."
4) pub names - Ram's Horn Tavern, Silver Swans Inn, The Royal Arms, The Cross and Crucible, Hartshorne Inn, The Cockscomb (minus the "scomb") and Bull (please note that the boards do not allow the posting of certain 'offensive' words).
5) ideas for what should be the lads and lasses area--some objects/games that would be free but would not require staff...as well as fee-associated games/activities:
Fee-associated games: "Pin the Cross on the Saracen," "Toy Ship Races," Ring toss/frog toss game (where in the winner gets a small prize).
For free games/actvities (geared for parents to watch their kiddos): Child sized wooden ship (of the period) for them to crawl through/play on, wooden swings that look like horses attired for crusades. And the ever popular sand pit to play in (could have a lid that goes over it at end of day to keep trash out).
Looking forward to seeing the faire first hand when it opens.
Fair Winds,
Emerald
Other 'mundane' items that need to be addressed:
Bathroom facilities: PLENTY of handicapped sized privies. I HATE the small ones. My skirts get in the 'purse holder '(Urinal) UGH!!!!!
Also, patrons (and mothers with toddlers or strollers) in big costumes cannot fit in the small standard sized privies. Hand washing stations. NOT sanitizers.
My mom avoided venues which did not have adequate bathroom facilities. This is very important for the fair to grow and be successful.
I have to say handicapped privies which aren't any wider than regular privies are practically useless. Adding the handrails to a regular size stall doesn't help at all!
I agree with having all the stalls, especially in the ladies privies extra wide. When in garb, the smaller stalls do not allow for much room.
I also like the idea of having foods that would have been eaten during the time period, and possibly demonstrations of how meals would have been prepared back then. That would be interesting.
Speaking of the privies...
In the stalls, hooks on the backs of the door for hanging the many belt items is very handy
A shelf above urinals to put mugs etc. on is also darn handy as well
*Is there a way to have fountains of rum scattered about?*
who would have thought, if given a "paint brush" to create one's touches upon the making of a new faire that the predominance of the painting would be in the privies???? LOL!!!
"Well, the faire wasn't much, but damn good toilets. I'll be back."
funny
Quote from: rengypsy on January 02, 2009, 08:15:28 PM
who would have thought, if given a "paint brush" to create one's touches upon the making of a new faire that the predominance of the painting would be in the privies???? LOL!!!
"Well, the faire wasn't much, but damn good toilets. I'll be back."
funny
You can see some
really fancy restrooms at
Hruska's (http://hruskas-bakery.com/outline.htm) in Ellinger, TX - between La Grange and Columbus on Hwy 71.
Take Care,
David Baldock
Quote from: rengypsy on November 20, 2008, 08:42:35 PM
3) lane names
4) pub names
rengypsy
Street names 1) Nottingham Lane
2) Smithy Row
3) Wheeler Gate Lane
4) Queen Street
5) Norfolk Lane
6) Sherwood Street
7) Market Road
8) St Peter's Street
All taken from Nottingham's old town center
Pubs - Dragon Inn
Jumpin Jac's
The Bell Inn
Brownes Tavern
How about a bamboo forest? As a probable vendor, I'd be happy to donate a few specimens for planting. I grow and cultivate many varieties, and contrary to many a rumor, some will not take over. I'd like to see a nice, well kept(by me) grove of bamboo from the Far East representative of my travels! I am The Bamboo Scotsman, after all!
Am working on some designs for signage, as well. Will send an email soon.
Many of the start up fairs had plans for a Lord Ambroisus Tavern- in honor of my late husband. None of these faires has made it- so the concept and name is still available for consideration. It would be a magical place!
I really like the Prince of Wales at TRF, how it's an indoor pub with an inside bar, good way to cool off and socialize, and it's just got a great feel to it too. And yet, at the same time, there is plenty of seating outside, giving ample room for watching parade, etc.
The discussion has come up time and time again about the closeness of the childrens area to stages/pubs. The Kings Pavillion at Scarby is where the R/F Meet n' Greet has been in previous years and on more than one occasion, we had a hard time hearing the performers on stage for the bungee contraption behind the stage. As much as I can handle this, it makes me feel for the performers because they don't get the same respect as others.
I had an idea for a type of bench where it looks like it is a tree trunk that has been hacked off six or so feet high, so there is a bench with a backing. But within the tree trunk, there is a hold there available for cast to peer through and then to climb to the top and dangle items from to play with the patrons.
Another chance for good interaction of the cast with patrons is, if there are walls being built in certain places to create the feel of a medevil town, like so many did, make there places where the cast can run about along the walls (safely, of course) and yell down to the patrons, etc.
am brainstorming so some shall come later!
Quote from: Queen Bonnie on January 05, 2009, 10:30:14 AM
Many of the start up fairs had plans for a Lord Ambroisus Tavern- in honor of my late husband. None of these faires has made it- so the concept and name is still available for consideration. It would be a magical place!
MUST DO!!! MUST DO!!!
there is a fallen celtic stone circle in derbyshire, the adjacent shire to nottingham, entitled "The Seven Sisters". i am creating a stuccho stone circle of the seven sisters. anyone wanna design the circle?
i am planning on the stones being approx 1' x 3' x 6'
i need a layout of some astrological significance around the number seven
would appreciate your help
To have a tavern named after Lord "A" would be a great way to remember him and would have great significance to many. Maybe a portrait of him on the sign. Another thing that I always thought would be great, not sure how feasible it would be, but showers in the patron camping.
there will be showers in the camp grounds. not many, but two to three per gender.
Quote from: rengypsy on January 07, 2009, 07:59:51 PM
there is a fallen celtic stone circle in derbyshire, the adjacent shire to nottingham, entitled "The Seven Sisters". i am creating a stuccho stone circle of the seven sisters. anyone wanna design the circle?
i am planning on the stones being approx 1' x 3' x 6'
i need a layout of some astrological significance around the number seven
would appreciate your help
The King stone should face the spot where the sun rises on the Spring Equinox.
Quote from: rengypsy on January 08, 2009, 09:52:57 AM
there will be showers in the camp grounds. not many, but two to three per gender.
You can probably get small, efficient, tankless water heaters, and use some sort of timer (like
this (http://www.kingssupply.com/item135.htm)) on the shower to reduce water and power wastage.
I know that I've used coin operated showers at a regular (not Ren Faire) campground, back in the 1980's.
Take Care,
David Baldock
Great Oak Lane after the tree that is still in the wood
nice thought