Hey guys, just a thought...
It is AWFUL dark when leaving after cannon. Any way you guys could light some of the main paths from the top of the hill down to the pub so that nobody breaks an ankle? I'm terribly clumsy (and I know I'm not the only one) and the new mulch is tricky to navigate even in the daylight. I've almost taken out a toe or 6 already LOL!
Thoughts?
I usually leave at dusk but you have a point with that "mulch". It's more like kindling in some spots and not being able to see it could make for a busted bum.
i think we should close earlier. we will take it up with management. we are not very interested in lighting the faire for a sense of a loss of authenticity...but recognize the problem. i feel an earlier closing time would suffice.
Hanging candle powered lanterns in specific locations would not impair authenticity and would add a bit of magic to evening time in the forest. My opinion.
Quote from: KiltedPrivateer on February 18, 2013, 12:17:11 PM
Hanging candle powered lanterns in specific locations would not impair authenticity and would add a bit of magic to evening time in the forest. My opinion.
Ooo, candles would be fantastic! I don't know what the Fae Court has as end of day duties, but to see them flitting around, lighting the way for people to go safely home would be amazing. Also, they do make battery operated candles that are shaped like candles, but don't burn in case having fire among all those trees is an issue. They also flicker pretty well!
we went to TRF for the first time this year and one of the things we noted was the later close and the sun being down. We were able to see though, because most of the shops had light (I don't think there were any lights outside, but then again it was late in the day after a few (ahem) ales). I know that is not historic, but it did create a great ambiance as we walked around.
Quote from: scarletnyx on February 18, 2013, 12:25:49 PM
Quote from: KiltedPrivateer on February 18, 2013, 12:17:11 PM
Hanging candle powered lanterns in specific locations would not impair authenticity and would add a bit of magic to evening time in the forest. My opinion.
Ooo, candles would be fantastic! I don't know what the Fae Court has as end of day duties, but to see them flitting around, lighting the way for people to go safely home would be amazing. Also, they do make battery operated candles that are shaped like candles, but don't burn in case having fire among all those trees is an issue. They also flicker pretty well!
The battery powered tea lights are safe, but they barely put out even one candle power of light. Using them as more than a decorative light source takes some ingenuity.
My suggestion would be to use them in 'luminaries' (either paper bags, or colored glass jars) along path edges; they are sufficiently bright for that purpose since the the holder diffuses the light over a larger area.
I use this technique at Halloween, since I keep my porch light off to show off the scary lighting I use. The stairs and path is lit like theater steps, and no ones gets burned.
I just carry a pocket flashlight.
I think that's the main difference from TRF, is simply that their vendors stay open until actual closing and therefore have light coming from all of their booths lighting the way. I'm really not in favor of closing earlier, but having a bit more light around through at least the end of pub sing and such would be extremely helpful. Only regulars are going to have any inkling that they might need a flashlight just to get to the front gate after pub sing.
Lights in the lanes would be nice, but lights that would maintain authenticity would of little value at lighting the pathway itself. And lights that would light the pathway, would hardy be period.
The problem is the mulch itself. It is just too coarse. I suspect the mulch put down was used from clearing an area on site, or was given to the faire. Either way, there are allot of thick and broken branches that roll when stepped on in the mulch that was spread. Running the mulch through the mulch-er/shredder multiple times would have broken it down further. But that would have added $$ to the project also. After a year or two the mulch will break down and make for a nice path. In the mean time we'll just need to be as careful as possible.
And for the record, I hate to see talk about closing early. We all enjoy our time at faire and want it to last as long as possible each day we're there.
we are spending lots of man hours raking away the larger chunks. we live and learn. last three years, the number one complaints dealt with SAND and erosion. we thought this larger mulch would resolve both issues, but created another. the smaller mulch simply washes away at first rain. so, again, we have many, many folk working diligently to remove the larger pieces and make the pathways more navigatible. likewise, mike pullen has some tiki lights he is gonna try out along the path from jerusalem to front gate to see if that helps at all. keep the feedback coming.
Though, I must admit more than a few fellow patrons have seen me trip and fall in broad daylight; our family has had members falling in the parking lot in the pitch black even without the new wood covering.
Unless we are carrying lanterns or flashlights, now we always leave before dusk. I agree that customers new to Faire would most likely not be carrying their own lights. On the other hand, seasoned patrons could be planning ahead. Then, again, I have seen some people trodding through the forest in the dark without any kind of light other than the stars. Must be full elves.
Considering the way dusk gives way quickly to pitch black on moonless nights, it might not be a bad idea to start closing at a clock time an hour before nightfall instead of cannon at dusk.
That would probably be more in keeping with medieval authenticity anyway. Before the introduction of gas/electric lighting, how many law abiding people would have been stumbling around in the dark without a torch anyway? They would have taken their animals and children into their house for the night for safety.
Now, if Robin Hood has sufficient personnel available to line the paths at night holding lanterns ......
Rengypsy, just so you know that nothing is for naught, the thick, coarse mulch helped to keep one of our traveling companions from being hurt when she feel as she got down out of the carriage. Nothing the carriage folks did wrong, she just lost hold getting down.
mike pullen tried out tiki lanterns this last weekend and i thought they worked out superbly, so we are getting more to make the way from Ye Olde Trip to the front gate easier after the sun goes down. great advice and suggestions always coming our way from our patrons. thanks.
I was out on Saturday all day. I wanted to say that the paths with the mulch on them were much improved IMHO. The work removing the bigger pieces showed!! I also noticed the tiki torches on the path between Ye Old Trip down to the front gate. Good Job!!! It wasn't that they provided allot of light to see the actual path, but the torches stood out as the sun dropped below the horizon and the path Mike put them on was in good shape.
Excellent work!!
The mulch did look a lot better from when i was there for the last gathering and I also welcomed the tiki torches when leaving the fair though they didnt give a lot of light they gave me something to look for direction.
Don't you just love it when a plan comes together? These guys are great!
I'm lookin' forward t' stumblin, bumblin through the Shire when I get there - sounds like the pathways will be smooth as silk by then! ;)
Quote from: Molden on February 26, 2013, 09:04:34 AM
I'm lookin' forward t' stumblin, bumblin through the Shire when I get there - sounds like the pathways will be smooth as silk by then! ;)
You still making it cloing weekend?
*got to have time to hide the rum*
Anyone out this weekend care to comment on the tripling of the torches along the path? Hit me up tomorrow (Sunday).
I think I got it illuminated well enough, but then, I'm used to traversing it in the dark.
Thanks guys... this ROCKS! I won't be able to see it until next weekend, but I'm EXCITED!
Quote from: *Teach* on February 26, 2013, 03:51:25 PM
Quote from: Molden on February 26, 2013, 09:04:34 AM
I'm lookin' forward t' stumblin, bumblin through the Shire when I get there - sounds like the pathways will be smooth as silk by then! ;)
You still making it cloing weekend?
*got to have time to hide the rum*
Aye Teach! I'm targeting closing weekend at Sherwood! Hide th' Rum! And just about everything else! ;)
Quote from: mpullen on March 02, 2013, 09:25:38 PM
Anyone out this weekend care to comment on the tripling of the torches along the path? Hit me up tomorrow (Sunday).
I think I got it illuminated well enough, but then, I'm used to traversing it in the dark.
We were out Saturday and I LIKED it! Even stayed a tad after dusk. Just enough to see by. Imagine some might want an extra here or there in certain spots but it was nice. With the reduction in the large mulch and some extra illumination I wanted to stay much longer but was out-voted 1-to-1.
Good Job!
I stayed out for the fire show on Saturday night before returning to my camp site, and really liked the new lighting. The whole path down from the Trip looked great. Was thinking you might could use a few along the thoroughfare from Three Stags to the front gate as well.
Quote from: Molden on March 04, 2013, 08:37:18 AM
Quote from: *Teach* on February 26, 2013, 03:51:25 PM
Quote from: Molden on February 26, 2013, 09:04:34 AM
I'm lookin' forward t' stumblin, bumblin through the Shire when I get there - sounds like the pathways will be smooth as silk by then! ;)
You still making it cloing weekend?
*got to have time to hide the rum*
Aye Teach! I'm targeting closing weekend at Sherwood! Hide th' Rum! And just about everything else! ;)
I'll justbring more rum. It's easier than trying to hide it from your bloodhound like abilities.
*There's always more rum*
Quote from: Molden on March 04, 2013, 08:37:18 AM
Quote from: *Teach* on February 26, 2013, 03:51:25 PM
Quote from: Molden on February 26, 2013, 09:04:34 AM
I'm lookin' forward t' stumblin, bumblin through the Shire when I get there - sounds like the pathways will be smooth as silk by then! ;)
You still making it cloing weekend?
*got to have time to hide the rum*
Aye Teach! I'm targeting closing weekend at Sherwood! Hide th' Rum! And just about everything else! ;)
Oh yea!! We're making it closing Saturday and I expect a hug from the both of you Molden and Teach!!