For starters I'd clean out that ditch in front of Middlefaire and have someone build them a good castle wall.
What about you?
Build them a pub! (CRF has no pub, none, nada)
I would replant all the giant trees that were torn down by the hurricanes in 2005- im sick of looking at port a privees and the parking lot when I am watching the joust.
Also expand it and hire more entertainment
More permanent buildings toward the back by the Drift Inn (GLMF). Find a viable candidate to run for the Trumbull Township Board of Trustees, and pour lots of money (especially for publicity) into their campaign. New blood is needed, especially someone who would be sympathetic to faire and not throw away tax payer dollars trying to run it out of town.
ETA: Install flushies. I hate the port-o-privies.
I dont think there is much I would change about MNRF....but then the behind the scenes people know a heck of a lot more than "I" do! ;D
If I won a big enough lottery, I'd have to build a local faire, since we have none in my area. If it wasn't a big enough lottery win except enough to buy some land and build a house, I'd move to Waxahachie, and try to get on cast at Scarby, my home faire.
Well, at MNRF I'd do something to stop all of the mining so that we still have a usable site in the coming years! Then I'd fix everything up- new paint, new buildings where needed (and not the type that look like Old West Saloons!) Get a new Bear for Bear Stage... This is just "outsider" ideas- I'd definately find out what the "insiders" know about what needs to be done and try to get it all taken care of!
I would build a huge castle, so that the merchant and stage areas would be completly under cover. The only open area would be the central courtyard for jousting. at least the stage acts and merchants would be able to do business. I would cover the jousters hat pass so they would not be out. The food area would be set up though they were eating in a castle great hall. This area would also double as a feast area for the "first knights feast".
I'd prolly buy up a bunch of land right by Scarby and have it all set up as campgrounds...since there's nowhere to camp if you aren't working the faire...
At Bristol:
I would hire tons and tons of musical acts for the whole run of the faire, not just some weekends, because we love seeing them, and these past few years a lot - and I mean a lot - of our favorites aren't there anymore. For $$$$ reasons I'm sure. The average person hoots and howls at the Washing Well Wenches & the Mud Show, but we'd rather see more music.
Build another set of flushables on the other side of the faire. Also expand the Friends of Faire garden & install flushies in there. Those people who work there are angels and deserve a nice, comfortable place to work.
Paint the stage near the bakery so it looks like you are at a Renaissance Faire instead of at the County Faire. Those colors are awful!
Have a roof on each stage. When it's over 100 degrees, anything that might keep the sun off of you is a blessing. Same goes for when it rains.
Have benches with backs at all the shows instead of those flat benches, many of which were split in 2 by the Three Sheets Stage this summer and were unusable.
Cover the pubs! Have a place to sit down and congregate so you feel like you're in a real pub, not just go to the window, buy your drink, & stand around. And the Pig & Whistle. Put the bar in front, move the stage to where the bar is and the seats in the middle. The acoustics on the stage are terrible, plus with people standing around talking - which of course is what you want to do in a pub - sometimes you can't hear the shows.
Not that I've thought about any of this before............ :D
Give booth owners a free year to help them out. Figure some incentives to keep booth owners happy and enable them to improve their situation.
More money into existing acts and into keeping performers wanting to perform there.
Own the land, leave it in a trust so the faire can continue to prosper and grow after I'm gone.
Ferret
A large donation to Rescu.
Then improve the site buildings with roofs for shade and rain cover. Improve pathways, sound systems, stages, kitchens etc. Make sure you can have an opening gate show everyone can see (build the wall/walkways out, or be sure there IS a wall and walkway!)
Spring for some major charity days to bring people in with free or discount tickets. Make sure there was a campground for those so inclined. Schmooze the locals so they love you and the revenue you bring to the area.
And since I'm now swimming in money (at least in my lottery dream), have a longer season. Or make it two weekends a month every month of the year so we don't have a 10 month period of withdrawal. Include more work/school days - you can get kids and companies to come out for events and not everyone has a M-F job.
I like Ferret's idea of leaving the land in a trust. Hadn't thought of that but going to borrow it!
I would hire more Celtic bands (Tullamore immediately comes to mind) and have a couple more stages built to spread out the talent at King's Champion Medfaire.
Buy the land on all four sides of the faire to keep it as "in the country" as possible, ( KCRF ) and then build them a winery like PARF.
I'd help Mr. Freeman finish his Castle Gwynn! I'd also donate a large sum to RESCU
(Local Faire is Scarborough)
-Truly indoor pub/dining hall available for weddings & events. Could also host a 'Kings Feast' 1-2 times per season.
-More flushies & more money towards keeping everything involved with those maintained.
-Full covering for the Ivanhoe stage. Its in the sun 100% of the Faire day.
-Camping area (not something I'd ever utilize {I consider Motel 6 'camping ;D } but I know others would)
Buy suitable land and give it to Northern California Renaissance Faire so they don't have to hold the faire where they are now! (and maybe they could have some permanent buildings!) Real estate is sooo expensive in California....
No permanent local Faire either, so that one's easy, buy up land (at least 200 acres) in southwestern Ontario, build my dream home with Castle Magic http://www.castlemagic.com/color.html (http://www.castlemagic.com/color.html) and build a Faire with the Castle at or near the entrance. And since money would not be a problem any more, I would have to operate the faire not for profit, so as to make it so profitable for the merchants that they would come from far and wide, and have as many acts and and cast as could be supported by the gate. And food would be cheap, but great quality and relatively H/A, and it would grow each year until I had to buy up the neighbouring 100 acres...........
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on October 08, 2010, 06:27:44 PM
I would hire tons and tons of musical acts for the whole run of the faire, not just some weekends, because we love seeing them, and these past few years a lot - and I mean a lot - of our favorites aren't there anymore. For $$$$ reasons I'm sure. The average person hoots and howls at the Washing Well Wenches & the Mud Show, but we'd rather see more music.
...
Cover the pubs! Have a place to sit down and congregate so you feel like you're in a real pub, not just go to the window, buy your drink, & stand around. And the Pig & Whistle. Put the bar in front, move the stage to where the bar is and the seats in the middle. The acoustics on the stage are terrible, plus with people standing around talking - which of course is what you want to do in a pub - sometimes you can't hear the shows.
Don't know if you've ever made it to MDRF, but if you haven't, try to make the trip - you'll fall in love. Musical acts out the wazoo (Pyrates Royale, The Rogues, The O'Danny Girls, The Interpreters and some variation of the Strumm minstrels are there for the entire run, plus guests like Wine and Alchemy, Gypsophilia, Barleyjuice, Icewagon Flu, Seven Nations and others, not counting the lane musicians like Thomas Tallis (concert pianist who performs on the pipe organ and harpsichord/virginal) and Gregory of Carrolton, classical guitarist. Four sit-down pubs with cover, three with musical entertainment pretty much throughout the day, two with amplification.
Quote from: will paisley on October 11, 2010, 10:42:23 AM
Don't know if you've ever made it to MDRF, but if you haven't, try to make the trip - you'll fall in love. Musical acts out the wazoo (Pyrates Royale, The Rogues, The O'Danny Girls, The Interpreters and some variation of the Strumm minstrels are there for the entire run, plus guests like Wine and Alchemy, Gypsophilia, Barleyjuice, Icewagon Flu, Seven Nations and others, not counting the lane musicians like Thomas Tallis (concert pianist who performs on the pipe organ and harpsichord/virginal) and Gregory of Carrolton, classical guitarist. Four sit-down pubs with cover, three with musical entertainment pretty much throughout the day, two with amplification.
[/quote]
i havent made it since i moved out of the DC area 6 years ago, but oh how i do miss it. it is a GREAT faire.
@ Carolina Rennaissance Festival...the mynd fairly reels with ideas!
- A couple of Real Pubs - one open air - one closed in and adult - I'd LOVE t' replicate the Prince of Wales pub at TRF - complete with kitchen serving fish n' chips an' prime rib trenchers!
- add a King's Feast
- benches - I'd add many more benches
- add more food and drink opportunities (time spent in lines is time not spent shopping or watching shows, and there are a LOT of good ones here!)
- continue the lanes so instead of a 3 sides of a box, it'd complete th' circuit
- bring in more vendors that cater t' th' clothing needs of the Men - kilts, tights, jerkins, shirts, you name it
- bring in some TRUE eye-candy acts for the males in attendance - th' ladies have Salvadore and Raphael from the Tortugas, let's have something for th' boys.
- start some trees growing around the areas at th' top o' the shire - it's a shame that in such a wooded area that it is so barren - there needs t' be some shade.
- carve out a shady grove where folks could lounge on grassy knolls and nap a bit.
Bristol is my local faire, and yes, I am one of the people Lady Renee so kindly calls "angels" aw shucks ;-)
Expand the Friends of Faire garden to at least twice its current size, with a roll-up awning large enough to cover the entire place in event of rain (just have the studly men haul on the ropes).
Set aside an actual "backstage" area for the henches, as Lady Renee said, we work hard, and we need a place to "get away" from our beloved members and have a sit (other than heading into the lanes).
Pay the henches, we work a 12 hour day in exchange for a participant pass. We love doing it, but yeah, it does get spendy, a few "free meal" coupons or $10 a day would help.
Expand the site so there can be more stages and more musical acts, and please repaint the white and primary colour MidSummer stage. Love the build, but it needs to be less "pre-school".
Roofed pubs, a real tavern where you can sit and listen to music inside, roofed or at least shaded stages, spiff up the Dreadnaught and turn it into a real working ship.
Dayna, I had no idea you didn't get paid! You guys and gals are worth your weight in gold!
If I won the lottery, I certainly would pay all of you a decent wage. Heck, I'd be willing to add another $5 each to our FoF passes now, without winning the lottery, for all of you to split the money. It's not what you are worth - priceless - but it would at least be something.
Home faire is TRF..hooo boy, I love the place, but where to start...!
Better pay for performers, definitely. A place backstage for performers/boothies to rest and get a hot meal. Clean up the campground of troublemakers. More cover from the elements at the stages and the Sea Devil. And bring back the marigolds.
One thing that money can't necessarily buy is a change of attitude, if the faire isn't being run the way you envision. If you were to put your money into improvements, would they be kept up the way you expect, or would your changes even be accepted by the owners / managers? It's a completely different thing than just giving a bunch of money to them to do what they want with their Faire.
Take Care,
David Baldock
Quote from: dbaldock on October 11, 2010, 08:28:40 PM
One thing that money can't necessarily buy is a change of attitude, if the faire isn't being run the way you envision. If you were to put your money into improvements, would they be kept up the way you expect, or would your changes even be accepted by the owners / managers? It's a completely different thing than just giving a bunch of money to them to do what they want with their Faire.
Take Care,
David Baldock
You must be a Scorpio.
I'd like to expand Scarborough just enough behind the jousting arena so that water and sewer lines could be brought in to build flushies. It's a long uphill walk from the Cat-n-Fiddle to the nearest privy.
Quote from: DonaCatalina on October 12, 2010, 06:59:32 AM
Quote from: dbaldock on October 11, 2010, 08:28:40 PM
One thing that money can't necessarily buy is a change of attitude, if the faire isn't being run the way you envision. If you were to put your money into improvements, would they be kept up the way you expect, or would your changes even be accepted by the owners / managers? It's a completely different thing than just giving a bunch of money to them to do what they want with their Faire.
Take Care,
David Baldock
You must be a Scorpio.
I'd like to expand Scarborough just enough behind the jousting arena so that water and sewer lines could be brought in to build flushies. It's a long uphill walk from the Cat-n-Fiddle to the nearest privy.
Actually, I was born on Epiphany (6-Jan).
With management support, I think it would be nice to build some sort of
Castle in the outer perimeter wall that houses an
Inn, a
Pub, and a
Dining Hall that can be used in all weather.
Take Care,
David Baldock
Middlefaire . . .
Finish my pirate fort. Then, dig a four acre lake and build a ship-shaped booth sitting at dock in a brand new section of the park.
Then, build two permanent "campsites" on opposite sides of the village for LARP armies and have a yearly event open to these folks where each individual event attendee gets drafted into one of the armies, have two daily battles (with maybe a third very early in the morning that is just for them), and create a storyline where the armies meet to do battle and the village bribes them with food to not destroy the village.
My home faire is MNRF.
I would buy it outright from the owner, so it isn't a cash cow for the rest of his enterprises.
I would then relocate it to a permanent site that isn't swampy on one side, and built in the middle of a quarry on the rest of it.
I would provide shade at all stages/games.
The pubs would be larger with more room to sit and enjoy the music. It is PACKED like sardines at just about all the pubs.
The shops wouldn't be gouged for rent six ways
FLUSHIES!
Our street cast is top notch, but I think they are also not allowed as much creative freedom as they would like.
There would be a separate area for families to attend with little children-gotta get them when they are young. The area would be maintained well, not as an after thought like right now.
In the same vein, there will be an area for PG13 and up, where little bitty children won't be "welcome".
And adults can enjoy the more bawdy shows without righteous indignation from clueless parents.
Campgrounds for the participants wouldn't be packed like a sardine can in the swamp.
If space allowed, campgrounds for patrons too.
I am sure there are other things too, but can't think of it now. Too sleepy.
TRF is my local faire, and I figure one of the biggest faires in the country will get along OK without my input. So about the only change my lotto winnings would bring there would be my presence every weekend, camping in my new camper!
My other local faire (110 miles away) is the new Sherwood Forest Faire. I can't complain about the way it's being operated, but since it's still building, I would offer them a contribution to help with that.
'Zardoz Memorial Flushies' anyone?
I'd start with having flushies installed at MIRF. :D
Quote from: Kiss-me-Kate on October 13, 2010, 10:19:55 PM
My home faire is MNRF.
I would buy it outright from the owner, so it isn't a cash cow for the rest of his enterprises.
I would then relocate it to a permanent site that isn't swampy on one side, and built in the middle of a quarry on the rest of it.
I would provide shade at all stages/games.
The pubs would be larger with more room to sit and enjoy the music. It is PACKED like sardines at just about all the pubs.
The shops wouldn't be gouged for rent six ways
FLUSHIES!
Our street cast is top notch, but I think they are also not allowed as much creative freedom as they would like.
There would be a separate area for families to attend with little children-gotta get them when they are young. The area would be maintained well, not as an after thought like right now.
In the same vein, there will be an area for PG13 and up, where little bitty children won't be "welcome".
And adults can enjoy the more bawdy shows without righteous indignation from clueless parents.
Campgrounds for the participants wouldn't be packed like a sardine can in the swamp.
If space allowed, campgrounds for patrons too.
I am sure there are other things too, but can't think of it now. Too sleepy.
Applauds loudly. I so agree! How about having a huge parking lot, not a mudpit/quarry/dust bowl?
Quote from: Zardoz on October 17, 2010, 12:30:26 PM
My other local faire (110 miles away) is the new Sherwood Forest Faire. I can't complain about the way it's being operated, but since it's still building, I would offer them a contribution to help with that.
'Zardoz Memorial Flushies' anyone?
I'll vote for that!
His Lordship and I discussed Sherwood. We would like to build a quasi-rustic Tudor house in the playtron camping with outside access storage and flushies for one of the camping clans.
Upstairs would be our private sleeping quarters with a separate access.
Before this weekend, I didn't really know what I would change - and now at TRF - I would spend my $$$ on making the roads wider with contra-flow lanes to ease the traffic and parking situation for coming and going.
I would also cover the Arena somehow to provide more shade. It can get way to hot in the Texas sun to sit comfortable to watch the shows.
Four winds is on an exposed hilltop with very little shade. I would help them plant trees or build some awnings.
And they definitely need a a better pub area and more flushies.
My home faire is the St Louis renfaire.
First thing I would do is set aside half the money, (more on that later)
First improvement would be to expend the utilities to the lower fair grounds. Over half the faire has no access to water or electric. this would also include bringing sewage lines into the park so we can get bathrooms.
Third would to rebuild the joust field into a proper horse eventing arena.
forth would to to better develop the wharf area. Build a boardwalk leading up the hill from the pirate ship stage with stalls that can be rented to merchants. get rigging lines and all the spars added to the masts on the ship, ect.
fifth would be to rebuild the front gate with something of a palisade entrance.
sixth would to be to develop a currently unopened road that would give our faire a full loop to the lay out rather then a single path lay out.
seventh would to give the enchanted forest area a makeover and really turn it into a fae touched landscape.
eighth would be to purchase the land next to us and turn it into a new parking lot. would never have to close again because of flooded parking. (obviously this would be where the new palisade gate entrance would be built)
now, back to that original split off half. set it up in a trust fund to generate yearly interest. Part of that interest would be used for upkeep, but the main part of it would be to offer a salary to the executive staff of the event. they are currently all volunteer and can not afford to give full time commitments to the faire. with a salary, they could better give a full time dedication which would in the long run help the faire grow vastly.
this would all be dependent on it being a VERY large lottery, but if you're going to dream, dream big.
I would set up a child-care area with appropriately trained and liscensed staff. Mom and/or Dad could drop the wee one(s) off for an hour or two, for a reasonable fee, while they go attend some of the adult entertainment that the faire offers. There would be a rustic looking climate-controlled building for the days when it is too hot or too cold or raining, and a fenced play area for the nice days. There would be stories, toys, games, singing, and other activites appropriate for children of the time period. No TV's, movies, video games, etc.
Sure, there would be legal issues to consider, but that's what lawyers and insurance are for.
As a father, I know how hard it can be to make sure that every activity is child safe, and I know how nice it can be to have a couple of hours alone with your spouse, so I think that this would be a good option for parents who want to spend all day at the faire, but are worried about keeping their children entertained and content.
Randal
PARF is my home Faire. Originally, Mt. Hope Winery had a one weekend Renaissance event to draw people to the Winery. Now the Faire and other events bring in the public for the show as well as for wine. Aside from adding the physical improvements that all previous posters (improved rest room facilities), if the lottery award was the mother of all awards, I would do the following:
-Adjacent to the Faire, build a large enclosed complex of living facilities, class rooms, work spaces, stages, shops, and eateries that would resemble a 15th century English/European city (minus the unsanitary conditions).
-Establish a Renaissance University, which would teach the arts and science of the Renaissance Faire. Actors, acting troupes, stage acts, comedians, and musical groups from all over the World would conduct classes in their respective fields. Technical people, craftsmen, and costumers would hold workshops to teach the knowledge of their respective fields.
-During the Faire season, the living facilities would provide low cost housing for the actors and others who work at the Faire.
-During the off season, the facilities would provide a venue for ongoing theater and musical productions open to the public.
I'm sure all of the people on the RF Forums, with their fertile imaginations, can see how this would benefit the world of the Renaissance Faire, not just my home Faire.
Quotewith a arbored gateway connecting the 2 worlds
...with me hiding in the arbor bellowing Goooody... Gooooooody! . (Private Joke!) ;D ;D ;D
This would be for the Texas Ren Fest: I would double the size and add an inn, so that those who want to stay overnight, but not camp, can.
Quote from: Jack Daw at Work on November 24, 2010, 07:55:39 AM
This would be for the Texas Ren Fest: I would double the size and add an inn, so that those who want to stay overnight, but not camp, can.
I think someone mentioned that a Best Western in Todd Mission would stay booked solid for the faire run.
I'm not sure I'd want to have King George running the hotel and the faire.
I think the Doña hinted at it, but what might really be cool is a hotel within the faire proper, and some night-life activities happening, such as some shows, pubs, and the like.
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on January 10, 2011, 03:27:16 PM
I think the Doña hinted at it, but what might really be cool is a hotel within the faire proper, and some night-life activities happening, such as some shows, pubs, and the like.
Agree 100%, I love enjoying my time in the past during the day but would love to experience what went on at night. Not that camping isnt great. Sherwood will be allowing us back in at night again I believe which was a blast last year.
GLMF...I'm sure it would have something to do with getting rid of the Township Trustee's, buying more land and expanding the Pubs...
Quote from: BubbleWright on November 23, 2010, 06:35:18 AM
PARF is my home Faire. Originally, Mt. Hope Winery had a one weekend Renaissance event to draw people to the Winery. Now the Faire and other events bring in the public for the show as well as for wine. Aside from adding the physical improvements that all previous posters (improved rest room facilities), if the lottery award was the mother of all awards, I would do the following:
-Adjacent to the Faire, build a large enclosed complex of living facilities, class rooms, work spaces, stages, shops, and eateries that would resemble a 15th century English/European city (minus the unsanitary conditions).
-Establish a Renaissance University, which would teach the arts and science of the Renaissance Faire. Actors, acting troupes, stage acts, comedians, and musical groups from all over the World would conduct classes in their respective fields. Technical people, craftsmen, and costumers would hold workshops to teach the knowledge of their respective fields.
-During the Faire season, the living facilities would provide low cost housing for the actors and others who work at the Faire.
-During the off season, the facilities would provide a venue for ongoing theater and musical productions open to the public.
I'm sure all of the people on the RF Forums, with their fertile imaginations, can see how this would benefit the world of the Renaissance Faire, not just my home Faire.
I would donate my share of lottery winnings to the PARF to dig up the pavement and put woodchips back in!!!! I like your ideas though!
I've never been to PARF but I would prefer wood chips over pavement any day.
We're on a PaRF roll, aren't we?
I'd rebuild a couple of our older stages that have gotten a bit...shaky...and install AC/heated dressing rooms. With the rest, I'd by the 18th century mansion on site, restore it, kick the offices out and open it up as a B&B.
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on October 08, 2010, 03:11:39 PM
If I won a big enough lottery, I'd have to build a local faire, since we have none in my area. If it wasn't a big enough lottery win except enough to buy some land and build a house, I'd move to Waxahachie, and try to get on cast at Scarby, my home faire.
I would buy about 15 acres of farm land in Western Iowa/Eastern Nebraska or close to the main highways and build a miniature fort-like castle on it. I would live in said castle, raising a herd of wee Highland Cattle and black faced sheep, while developing a brand new faire and nostalgic event/living history site a few miles away complete with
good access roads, hard top parking lots, buildings, modern restrooms, cobbled lanes, stone crosses and fountains at every intersection. Shady arbor seating and grottos, a well designed food court with plenty of inviting seating and stone and stucco stages with the latest in accousics and sound technology built in. All the shoppes and vendors stalls would be permanent fixtures and available for lease.
(I figure the site could also be used for a Dickens christmas event with vendors using the idle shop fronts to sell gifts)
Quote from: Rowen MacD on April 20, 2011, 04:41:27 PM
...hard top parking lots...
OOOoooOOOOooo! Love that idea!
Quote from: Lady Kett on April 20, 2011, 09:52:41 PM
Quote from: Rowen MacD on April 20, 2011, 04:41:27 PM
...hard top parking lots...
OOOoooOOOOooo! Love that idea!
Aw, Hun... you wouldn't like that idea in TEXAS! Some other alternative might be better suited to hell (I only mean that in the temperature sense). 90+ weather (remember opening weekend 2011??) = 150+ vehicles... you sit down in the car, and the extreme heat ignites any methane gas you may have generated over the course of a day eating brats, drinking stout... 137 cars are found in the next county....
Fine then Merlin, how about better cared for dirt paths then, LOL? There's a few dips in Row 12 that about swallowed my Miata for the FOF Picnic! Or just cover the dang thing and make it a covered parking lot, hehe. :D
Definitely better paths would be good. Seriously about the pavement, though. You'd be amazed at the difference in temperature between Little Rock and the community that I live in from nothing more than the difference in the percentage of pavement coverage. But I did run across some pretty big potholes myself that have developed in the parking lot... Berit, you hanging around here? You might want to check that out.
In Ne and Ia, pavement temp is not so much an issue, ;D
While we're dreaming why not build a Tudor parking garage? Cobbled entry/exit ramps, stucco and timber exterior, thatched toll booth?
With all those cars, wouldn't you need more than a Tudor garage? I would think three or four would be minimum... (Don't you just hate a smart-mouthed wizard?)
Quote from: Colleen McGuinness on April 20, 2011, 03:53:54 PM
We're on a PaRF roll, aren't we?
I'd rebuild a couple of our older stages that have gotten a bit...shaky...and install AC/heated dressing rooms. With the rest, I'd by the 18th century mansion on site, restore it, kick the offices out and open it up as a B&B.
There is a lovely B&B we go to when we are up for Celtic fling, Mount Gretna. It isn't too far, about 15 minutes to Faire. But I totally agree, I think a B&B on festival grounds would be amazing, and booked most every weekend of the year, that's for sure!!!
Back to the how would you change your faire if you won the lottery, I had some other thoughts...........at my home faire, KCRF, I would buy the amphitheater next door, tear it down, and put in a nice renaissance themed restaurant and winery overlooking festival grounds.
I know it's been a while since this thread had a post, but after seeing this, I had to post! lol
Since my local faire is TRF and Sherwood is my second local faire, I am going to take a page from a previous post and use the money for being able to attend each faire during it's duration (you know, every weekend it's running). I live a little around an hour and a half from TRF and about 3-4 hours from Sherwood, so that would be really cool to go during each of their operating weekends. :)
I always thought that woud love to buy acearage on the same road that scarby is on and build a place simular to a hostel or like a 'seminar' hotel.
Option #1 )There are2 twin size bed room, full size bed room, and then cabins on the site which can be rented out to clans. There is an on site kitchen that will provide Breakfast and Dinner for all guests. Those in cabins can opt out if they so wish. No TV's are in the bedrooms, but there is a central gathering area around a large stone fire place where there is also a large TV available. Rooms are clean and cared for each day. Rooms would be $40-50 a night meals included.
Option #2) A communal sleeping area made up of bunk beds. Each person is granted a storage chest to keep valuables in. Or there are simple twin bed room, where you get a sink, a bed and a wardrobe. If you want to use the shower or toilet, you go to a communial shower room, which would we set up with private washing areas for each person. Then there would be matching full size bed rooms like the twin rooms. Might even throw in a few with the in suite bathroom. Again a communal fire pit outside, a large fireplace inside, and a kitchen that can be shared by everyeone. Prices would range from $30 a night for the communal room to $150 a night for the suite.
Be sasic idea is so that performers don't have to go far, yet still have a good place to sleep. The guests who want to 'camp' at faire but don't want to sleep outside, they can still have the comminity feeling but have the hotel amenities to an extent.
During the off season use it for seminars, and weekend retreats. .
Quote from: LadyStitch on May 16, 2011, 11:05:11 AM
I always thought that woud love to buy acearage on the same road that scarby is on and build a place simular to a hostel or like a 'seminar' hotel.
Option #1 )There are2 twin size bed room, full size bed room, and then cabins on the site which can be rented out to clans. There is an on site kitchen that will provide Breakfast and Dinner for all guests. Those in cabins can opt out if they so wish. No TV's are in the bedrooms, but there is a central gathering area around a large stone fire place where there is also a large TV available. Rooms are clean and cared for each day. Rooms would be $40-50 a night meals included.
Option #2) A communal sleeping area made up of bunk beds. Each person is granted a storage chest to keep valuables in. Or there are simple twin bed room, where you get a sink, a bed and a wardrobe. If you want to use the shower or toilet, you go to a communial shower room, which would we set up with private washing areas for each person. Then there would be matching full size bed rooms like the twin rooms. Might even throw in a few with the in suite bathroom. Again a communal fire pit outside, a large fireplace inside, and a kitchen that can be shared by everyeone. Prices would range from $30 a night for the communal room to $150 a night for the suite.
Be sasic idea is so that performers don't have to go far, yet still have a good place to sleep. The guests who want to 'camp' at faire but don't want to sleep outside, they can still have the comminity feeling but have the hotel amenities to an extent.
During the off season use it for seminars, and weekend retreats. .
That's a really cool idea!
I love the idea of a connected hotel/hostel/cabins/what-have-you. Sherwood seems like it would be very conducive to such a venture, the they own or could acquire enough of the land surrounding the faire site.
Scarby could use more trees. If some of the surrounding area was wooded instead of farmland, it would drop the temperature a little bit.
Sherwood would be perfect for the cabin idea if they rented seperately.
Cloud Dance is one of my top ten favorite places to visit. (http://www.clouddancecabins.com/)
I would nvest in something like this for Sherwood Forest.
My faire is the MIRF. While great as it is, I'd throw some money into these ideas:
Expand the "Guinness Pub" area. Its basically a large open bar area where you can sit and enjoy your pint. However, it can get difficult to find a spot to sit down.
Create a separate permanent pub area where Michigan microbrews can be served. Perhaps rotate the breweries every year to keep things fresh. Set it up as another outdoor pub with seats/benches/etc.
Have "after hours" weekends where you have to be 21 or older to attend after the official faire closes. Keep the pubs open, and have the music stages going with different celtic or other faire-friendly music, more shows, etc.
Spend some money to attract more craft booths specializing in male garb! It seems like for every shop selling male garb, there are 10 dress and corset shops :P
PaRF is my home faire (albeit 4 hours away).
If I won the lottery I'd:
- Lower food prices, admission, or both
- Develop the shops & grounds more out toward the mud pit. The shops toward the mud pit don't seem to get a whole lot of traffic unfortunately
- Increase the variety of foods. Some middle eastern/Mediterranean fare certainly would be nice :)
- An "adult" area that's restricted for more bawdy entertainment
- Start (or develop parenfaire.net's base into) an official PaRF FoF
I'd hire back all the cast members at TRF who got form letters instead of contracts, and expand the cast, not shrink it.
If I won the lotto, I would have a faire here in OC...to attend a faire we have to travel a long distance (especially if you have to take public transit which SUCKS...it takes me half a day to get to faire & the rest of it to get back w/a few hrs. to actually enjoy the faire in between) to Irwendale & Corona or perhaps Escondido, when we have plenty of room here. I mean, we have Silverado, Trabuco, Modjeska, & Dove Canyons, there's Shady Canyon in Irvine, the area just east of Villa Park & Tustin, there's an open area around Ladera Ranch & San Juan Capistrano...could someone pleeeease utalize one of these areas?!
Not really sure what to call/claim as a home faire. NorCal Pleasure Faire or Valhalla would be the bigger ones in the quasi-easy travel range.
I think mainly, I would want a local faire, be it any of the myriad of ones in N California, to have a permanent land title, where permanent buildings could go up, sink some money into trying to build at least a partial village, or major structures at least. And most definitely not someplace where the main season temperatures get into the 110 plus. Someplace (or change the time) where a nice clear warm day would be in the 70s sounds good... And lots of trees. A brook or creek would be nice too.
Personally, I would love to build an actual inn, with kitchen and bar, with period fare ( I even have medieval and renaissance cookbooks). Nice woodfire ovens with fresh breads and meat pies, etc. Maybe set up a small brew operation for ale and mead in the back. Rooms could be built, but I'm not sure about letting anyone, except maybe the actual inn staff, sleep there.
Quote from: Tipsy Gypsy on June 17, 2011, 07:10:05 AM
I'd hire back all the cast members at TRF who got form letters instead of contracts, and expand the cast, not shrink it.
Sounds like what they are starting to do at MNRF. We are amping up the Disney-esque experience. >:(
Well.... let's assume it was a big lottery... ;D
I wouldn't improve my home faire, I'd build a new one. A place that could be used by many groups the entire year, not just a few weekends. Historical society events, education, LARP, corporate events, theatre productions.
Parking area of grass, but groomed to be smooth, graded so as not to be muddy.
A "WOW" entrance so people really feel the transition of entering a village.
Match money invested by crafters/vendors when building their booths (this would be ongoing to maintain the integrity of the site).
Site laid out with "themed"(without being Disneyfied) areas where vendors, shows, even foods would be concentrated on that "theme" as well as a centralized "neutral" area for things that don't quite go elsewhere.
Fully wooded with well groomed paths of wood chip and/or gravel.
All pubs would be available with covered seating AND shaded outdoor seating.
Stages would be covered, seating would be shaded.
A proper castle built on the grounds to hold feasts (with a clean and state of the art kitchen in the back but a medieval kitchen out front) as well as provide accommodations to cast to get away for a bit.
A separate area for bawdy shows with attached, well run child care complete with climate controlled indoor area.
Food court areas as well as sit down meal areas. Quality foods from around the world. Covered and outdoor seating available.
Quality loaner garb available for temporary employees.
Eco friendly but permanent "flushies" through out the site.
Attached accommodations for traveling vendors ranging from camping, dorm style, single rooms, suites. Including showers and kitchen area and indoor/outdoor common areas.
Profit sharing for cast and permanent vendors. In order for a business really to succeed, the "employees" need to be vested in it's operation. It takes a village to run a village, let them see some return on their investments!
ZERO tolerance for thieves and trouble makers.
Yup, that's a good start.
Quote from: Marietta Graziella on June 27, 2011, 08:02:20 AM
Well.... let's assume it was a big lottery... ;D
I wouldn't improve my home faire, I'd build a new one. A place that could be used by many groups the entire year, not just a few weekends. Historical society events, education, LARP, corporate events, theatre productions.
Parking area of grass, but groomed to be smooth, graded so as not to be muddy.
A "WOW" entrance so people really feel the transition of entering a village.
Match money invested by crafters/vendors when building their booths (this would be ongoing to maintain the integrity of the site).
Site laid out with "themed"(without being Disneyfied) areas where vendors, shows, even foods would be concentrated on that "theme" as well as a centralized "neutral" area for things that don't quite go elsewhere.
Fully wooded with well groomed paths of wood chip and/or gravel.
All pubs would be available with covered seating AND shaded outdoor seating.
Stages would be covered, seating would be shaded.
A proper castle built on the grounds to hold feasts (with a clean and state of the art kitchen in the back but a medieval kitchen out front) as well as provide accommodations to cast to get away for a bit.
A separate area for bawdy shows with attached, well run child care complete with climate controlled indoor area.
Food court areas as well as sit down meal areas. Quality foods from around the world. Covered and outdoor seating available.
Quality loaner garb available for temporary employees.
Eco friendly but permanent "flushies" through out the site.
Attached accommodations for traveling vendors ranging from camping, dorm style, single rooms, suites. Including showers and kitchen area and indoor/outdoor common areas.
Profit sharing for cast and permanent vendors. In order for a business really to succeed, the "employees" need to be vested in it's operation. It takes a village to run a village, let them see some return on their investments!
ZERO tolerance for thieves and trouble makers.
Yup, that's a good start.
I wanna go to MG's faire!! ;D
Quote from: Muffin on June 27, 2011, 08:17:16 AM
I wanna go to MG's faire!! ;D
Me too! It sounds perfect!
MG has the right idea. I'll invest in her concept. We need to build it where there are no faires. Arkansas comes to mind.
MG's faire sounds so cool!
Flushies. A little piece of Heaven at Fest...
I agree, I think having it set up for year round events, even in our nasty winter climate, would be awesome.
MG -you have put some thought into this.
Quote from: Marietta Graziella on June 27, 2011, 08:02:20 AM
Well.... let's assume it was a big lottery... ;D
I wouldn't improve my home faire, I'd build a new one. A place that could be used by many groups the entire year, not just a few weekends. Historical society events, education, LARP, corporate events, theatre productions.
This is a great idea - using the facility during the whole year. But the logistics of this can get complicated - When you start including educational and corporate events, then your structures may have to be built and kept to current Fire Codes with things like sprinkler heads, fire walls & doors, visible fire extinguishers, and roadways / paths that can support Fire Engines.
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Parking area of grass, but groomed to be smooth, graded so as not to be muddy.
A "WOW" entrance so people really feel the transition of entering a village.
Match money invested by crafters/vendors when building their booths (this would be ongoing to maintain the integrity of the site).
Site laid out with "themed"(without being Disneyfied) areas where vendors, shows, even foods would be concentrated on that "theme" as well as a centralized "neutral" area for things that don't quite go elsewhere.
The Texas Renaissance Festival is more-or-less laid out like this - by country themed areas.
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Fully wooded with well groomed paths of wood chip and/or gravel.
All pubs would be available with covered seating AND shaded outdoor seating.
Stages would be covered, seating would be shaded.
A proper castle built on the grounds to hold feasts (with a clean and state of the art kitchen in the back but a medieval kitchen out front) as well as provide accommodations to cast to get away for a bit.
A separate area for bawdy shows with attached, well run child care complete with climate controlled indoor area.
This one is tricky. How would you know ahead of time how many State Licensed Child Care workers you would need to have on-hand for any particular day or event? Would you expect all of your customers / patron to pre-register?
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Food court areas as well as sit down meal areas. Quality foods from around the world. Covered and outdoor seating available.
Quality loaner garb available for temporary employees.
Eco friendly but permanent "flushies" through out the site.
Attached accommodations for traveling vendors ranging from camping, dorm style, single rooms, suites. Including showers and kitchen area and indoor/outdoor common areas.
Are special permits and licenses required if you're operating an Inn (dorm rooms, single rooms, suites)? I wonder what happens to insurance rates when you provide kitchen facilities for the guests to use?
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Profit sharing for cast and permanent vendors. In order for a business really to succeed, the "employees" need to be vested in it's operation. It takes a village to run a village, let them see some return on their investments!
ZERO tolerance for thieves and trouble makers.
Yup, that's a good start.
I'd buy then tear down Sylvan Dale Guest/Dude Ranch, then rebuild a village along the river, a nice lake to have ducks, swans, geese, fish and gondolas to rent and ride in. I'd then bring in real artisans like Blacksmiths who make good high quality items as well as shoe horses and give daily displays. I'd have a good glass blower, stained glass maker, wood workers, carpenters, ab brewer, and wine maker and mead maker, potters, etc.
I'd have 1 big huge stage that I could bring in major acts like Blackmores Night, Loreena McKinnet that would do after hours at the faire and try to do a different act each Saturday or maybe Friday before.
Since I live in what was French held territory, I'd make my faire modeled on the French Court and try to have a large cast of nobles down to street cast and peasants. On occasion I'd bring in Henry VIII or another famous king as a visitor
I'd give history lessons about the Renaissance and the time frame
I'd have real jousting and not an act that was the same every weekend.
I'd have a different show everyday with the nobles at opening gate and at joust
Only items made in the US would be allowed. I have seen faires where items where made over seas
I'd try to make the village as authentic as possible
I'd Have New Belgium Brewery, O'Dells Brewery and Grim Brothers Brewery as standard beer sales and then bring in others on a rotating bases.
Some of the things on your wish list, Lady de Laney, are happening in at least a couple of the faires in Texas.
Sherwood is doing real jousting, and I believe Scarborough went back to real jousts as well.
The pre-cannon play at Scarborough is improv: they give two "fortune cookies" to the cast with the opening line and the closing line of the play, then the cast improvises everything in between. I wouldn't say it's completely different, but it can be lots of fun...
The juried aspect of the vendors seems to come and go at the faires. Items sold at faire should be the product of the artisans selling them.
Scarborough has a Manners & Customs lesson each day. Very informative!
Water features would be a must at a faire I built. I'd like to at least make it look like things were being powered by the flow of a stream through the property.
Uhm, Dbaldock... it's a dream faire.
Quote from: Marietta Graziella on June 28, 2011, 09:56:43 PM
Uhm, Dbaldock... it's a dream faire.
Just what I was thinking!! ::) ;D
I agree that designing and having a dream faire would be great.
But in my defense, the title of this thread is "How would you change your local faire if you won the lottery", which I take to imply we're dealing with a certain amount of reality. I know, I know --- we go to faire to escape reality... ;) :D
Take Care,
David Baldock
LOL...you know, I don't want to have to run the darn thing. I just want to go and enjoy it a little more.
Scarborough's parking lanes are in serious need of regrading and a new layer of gravel. I could spend a chunk on that.
As Jose Jimenez used to say, David, we're "pushing your leg." :)
Well, I would certainly like to be able to pay for rebuilding some of the booths and other structures that Scarby lost in the fire.
Reapair/re build any fire damage at Scarby. Cottages or cabins village for some particpants/vendors. More hands on/living history stuff. Bigger falconry show. Live acrhery demo's?
I would just simply have TRF open for another 4 weeks. New Years party at TRF campground. Now that would be interesting. ;D ;D ;D
Dickens style Christmas on the KCRF faire grounds. Oh, and add a full time year round Renaissance style restaurant.
You guys have given me ideas.
I wonder if Scarborough would work for a full on Medieval or Renaissance Avignon style Christmas to Twelfth Night?
Think of all the feast days, entertainments and decorations.