Do any faires have changing rooms or booths or tents at their gates?
This would be so people don't have to change in their cars or quickly in the parking lot or have to drive to the faire in garb.
I haven't heard of this but it sure sounds like a great idea.
Yes I have heard from a number of people that changing in the parking lot is practically a renaissance faire tradition:P
Regards,
CB
I know that TRF (Texas Renaissiance Festival) has a bathroom outside their main gate, that could possibly be used to change. This however brings to mind the dilemma of having to walk back to ones car with their Danes and then having to walk back to the front gate. My suggestion: Find someone in the camping area and park near them, use their tent to change in and go from there. ;)
What?! Not dressing and undressing in the parkinglot? It's... it's... unthinkable I tell you!
:P
Quote from: Once Debauched on July 10, 2008, 03:17:45 PM
What?! Not dressing and undressing in the parkinglot? It's... it's... unthinkable I tell you!
:P
Right! I work at faire and camp onsite, but I
still change in the parking lot. Too little room in a shared tent for our garb and 4 adults to change.
Most ppl in our area change either in their cars or in the hadicap privy.
Geez CB...
Bawdy or not?
HA or Fantasy?
Changing rooms at the gate?
I'm startin' ta wonder if mebbe yer plannin ta open yer own Faire? ;) ;D :P
Quote from: maelstrom0370 on July 10, 2008, 06:05:26 PM
Geez CB...
Bawdy or not?
HA or Fantasy?
Changing rooms at the gate?
I'm startin' ta wonder if mebbe yer plannin ta open yer own Faire? ;) ;D :P
You just gave me a great new topic idea "Chainmail Kilts...Or Not??"...Just Kidding.
Honestly I think changing booths would be a wonderful addition. If I DID own a faire and knew people had to change in their cars or in the parking lot I would provide changing booths as a convenience for rennies...but also to keep the parking lot "PG-13".
Regards,
CB
Quote from: Cobaltblu on July 10, 2008, 06:17:41 PM
[I would provide changing booths as a convenience for rennies...but also to keep the parking lot "PG-13".
You know, in all the years I have been at faires and the multitudes of people I have seen change clothes in the parking lot, I have never seen anything inappropriate. I know I personally have the magic skill of being able to change without showing so much as a glimpse of anything I wouldn't show kids.
I've also noticed that the parking lots are similar to nude beaches; if something non-PG13 is momentarily displayed, everyone carefully does not notice.
I just get dressed at home... but then again, I DO live just across the street from TRF.
Small changing tents, some of which can double as a shower, are available on eBay. Type in "changing tent" in the search space with "all categories". Many of these are "pop-up" type tents. Pricing starts at around $50. Warning- don't buy a "film changing tent"... they are much too small and really hard to get in and out of.
I doubt I would use a changing room at gate for several reasons:
1. I drive to faire in bloomers & chemise, so I just have to add my outer layers and it's just easier to pile it on my body from the car than load it all up and haul it to a changing room.
2. I need help to finish dressing anyway, since most of my bodices/corset are back lacing, and somehow I'm not sure how the other ladies might feel about a man they may or may not know in the changing room with them ;)
3. Part of the fun, at least for me, is the hanging out in the parking lot before cannon, visiting, drinking {coffee or soda, I SWEAR, not loki, rum or ale ::)} and the whole cooperative effort at dressing.
After cannon:
1. I usually need someone to unlace me, and it's much more fun to have rogues do it....
2. If I'm going home, I just get down to the chemise & bloomers, which are most definitely not going to cause the kiddies to see anything that might warp their young minds
3. If I'm going out to dinner or somewhere that I need to be out of garb, pants or shorts are easy enough to get on under my skirt before I remove it, and since I long ago mastered the art of changing from one t-shirt to another driving down the highway if necessary, I can certainly get into a t-shirt out of a chemise without becoming R- rated.
That being said, I'm sure that some of the mundanes might appreciate a changing room of some sort outside the gates if they get there and decide they need to change shirts or pants to accomodate weather or whatever.
Quote from: raevyncait on July 11, 2008, 08:40:04 AM
3. If I'm going out to dinner or somewhere that I need to be out of garb, pants or shorts are easy enough to get on under my skirt before I remove it, and since I long ago mastered the art of changing from one t-shirt to another driving down the highway if necessary, I can certainly get into a t-shirt out of a chemise without becoming R- rated.
And we are worried about cell phones ;) Just kidding:) I've long since mastered parking lot changing and my 4-door Montero provides a plenty of privacy if I need it. The doors can provide at least 2 of the walls, a cloak gives me a 3rd and the car itself the rest...who needs a tent!
From what I've seen Rennies seem to come with that extra special something that; A) makes us rather inclined to changing in parking lots, and B) makes us talented enough to be able to pull it off like a magic trick. lol
That said, I get most things on before I leave the house and fix the rest in the.... parking lot. It used to be all in the parking lot {when I wasn't working faire} but having a mini me to get ready as well means a bit of chasing and taming I'd rather not do around moving vehicles. She has gotten much better as she's gotten older though.
Quote from: Sitara on July 10, 2008, 03:50:49 PM
Too little room in a shared tent for our garb and 4 adults to change.
Get a bigger tent :)
Wish I could. In participant camp at MNRF we are restricted to a 15 x 15 square and our platform and tent already fill it up. 4 adults and 2 teens take up a lot of room.
I think a changing room would be nice for those who can't change at home and for those who have yet to master the fine art of changing in the parking lot. Not everybody will use it, that's for sure, but that just means shorter lines for those who want to use it.
For me tomorrow I am driving to the opening day at Sterling Renaissance Festival and it is a 3 hour drive...so unless I want to walk into maybe two or three stores/restrooms/gas stations in some level of garb, I have to dress in the parking lot and/or car.
Having a changing booth would be a godsend...either that or one of those 1970's Vans where you can have a few people living in the back.
Regards,
CB
As I said, you have to either be skilled at the parking lot change (not hard, espcially with friends) or use the handicapp privs. I've seen a lot of women in large skirts use those larger privs for dress.
Since we live less than 45 min. from our home faire (Scarby), I've always put on all the garb except for the belt at home, and that goes on pretty quickly in the parking lot. We're going to CoRF tomorrow (Huzzah!), and I'll do the same, since we are staying in Castle Rock. I'll probably bring a shirt to change into afterward, as we plan on going out to eat somewhere...then again, maybe I won't change ;)
Quote from: Cobaltblu on July 11, 2008, 03:38:45 PM
For me tomorrow I am driving to the opening day at Sterling Renaissance Festival and it is a 3 hour drive...so unless I want to walk into maybe two or three stores/restrooms/gas stations in some level of garb, I have to dress in the parking lot and/or car.
Having a changing booth would be a godsend...either that or one of those 1970's Vans where you can have a few people living in the back.
Regards,
CB
We also have a 3 hour drive to Bristol. We get fully dressed except for hats, belt with pouches, and weapons. Sure, we get strange looks from people in the gas stations, restaurants, and rest stops, but most people are interested, and when we answer their question with "We're going to/went to a Renaissance Faire," the reaction is "Wow, cool!"
I am usually so excited by the time I hit the parking lot, I don't want to spend any more time than putting on my hat and belt. I want in! After faire, the bodice comes off for a comfy ride home. So we probably wouldn't use a changing area.
Changing rooms at an event? That's what parking lots are for. (http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y287/RumbaRue/butt.gif)
A changing room would come in handy for the mid-faire adjustments or modifications:)
I get dressed at home, and finish in the parking lot. I saw some other patrons who had one of those popup camping things that's used for changing or showering. I was like...that is a GREAT IDEA. I need to invest in one of those...
Changing in the parking lot is just part of being a Rennie.
I would usually get dressed except for my belt at home, then drive the hour to faire but now that I'm selling my bodice and probably buying one that will require someone to lace me up in the back, that will change...
Faye, a pirate crew that I always ended up not parking from usually brought a pop up and kept it up in the morning and then again during lunch when they came back again to relax. They make the ones that are covered so you could probably get some privacy. IT's a great idea for those not comfortable with parking-lot charades.
I drive to faire in garb!
Changing rooms are a luxury that most Faires don't have. But I'm surprised at the number
of Faires that don't even have a parking lot port-o-privy.
sheesh 2-1/2 drive is a little long to then wait for gate to open.
The STL faire has available changing rooms for the Friends of Faire members. They aren't in the best location to changing once you first get there since they're deep into the site, but not a bad location for the "mid faire adjustments" or using to change into new garb if you just bought something from a shop on site.
It would be expensive and most faires would not be willing to spring for it unless they are more interested in showmanship, but I always thought that if a faire had the room, it would be so cool to have some(maybe 6) renaissance pavillions maybe divided down the middle and allow people to change in. You could have volunteers to stand out side while a pavillion is being used to make sure no one is intruded upon, but if the pavillions are set up right with all of the pennants and flags flying it would be a cool vision that would enhance the faire. Just My Humble Opinion, I could be wrong.
Quote from: jcbanner on March 04, 2009, 12:18:10 AM
The STL faire has available changing rooms for the Friends of Faire members. They aren't in the best location to changing once you first get there since they're deep into the site, but not a bad location for the "mid faire adjustments" or using to change into new garb if you just bought something from a shop on site.
I used the blue port-o-potty in the parking lot/field last year. I never heard of a FoF changing room though.
Now that I come to think of it those port-o-potties aren't a half bad changing booth as long as they are emptied regularly and as long as you aren't a woman who has to put on a big noble dress.
Regards,
CB
Quote from: Cobaltblu on March 04, 2009, 12:43:22 PM
Quote from: jcbanner on March 04, 2009, 12:18:10 AM
The STL faire has available changing rooms for the Friends of Faire members. They aren't in the best location to changing once you first get there since they're deep into the site, but not a bad location for the "mid faire adjustments" or using to change into new garb if you just bought something from a shop on site.
I used the blue port-o-potty in the parking lot/field last year. I never heard of a FoF changing room though.
Now that I come to think of it those port-o-potties aren't a half bad changing booth as long as they are emptied regularly and as long as you aren't a woman who has to put on a big noble dress.
Regards,
CB
I believe STL is used to designate St. Louis' Faire; though it is close to Sterling as well ;)
...if I'm dressing in nobles, I drive up in chemise & bloomers, and get into the rest in the parking lot. The port-a-privies are a bit tricky in a gown, but we manage. ;D
Highjacking just a bit! :D
At Bristol I remember dragging everything out of the shop to the Cheshire Chase bleechers because it gave us more room!
In high school and college we had to change into band uniforms in the parking lot. I am VERY adept at not showing a bit of skin!
In a way, I think changing in the parking lot may give none garbers a view into our world. People give funny stares but it does peak their curiousity. It may encourage them to garb in the future! ;)
BE BOLD, CHANGE IN PUBLIC! :o
Second time I went to faire I was in a medieval style gown (the one in avatar)...before leaving I completely changed into jeans (easy!) and a blouse (little more difficult)...while taking the corset (which meant a bra had to be put on) and gown off! No skin was showed.
Changing pavilions are a great idea...but like someone else mentioned...in front of the gates isn't an ideal place. They'd almost be better scattered throughout the parking areas, but that would mean more of them, and less parking.
At the Les Amis de Lyon (Friends of Lyon) Garden, there are a few changing booths available for members to use. You can't see them from the road though.
Quote from: raevyncait on July 11, 2008, 08:40:04 AM
I doubt I would use a changing room at gate for several reasons:
1. I drive to faire in bloomers & chemise, so I just have to add my outer layers and it's just easier to pile it on my body from the car than load it all up and haul it to a changing room.
That being said, I'm sure that some of the mundanes might appreciate a changing room of some sort outside the gates if they get there and decide they need to change shirts or pants to accomodate weather or whatever.
I go to faire in my bloomers & chemise as well then add the outer layers once there. But then again having a child I've learned to change fast and change into completely different outfits without making anyone uncomfortable. There is always questions from kids of why I'm walking into a gas station in my night gown. :)
Change? I Love garb! I arrive garbed and drive home that way too.
Ok- I do add stuff to my belt in the parking lot!
The FoF garden at the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire has a changing room and mirrors on the outside - but it's far from the front gates. They also have a trunk of clothing in case of wardrobe malfunctions. Most people do change in the parking lot, or get laced up inside the faire.
I generally change in the parking lot ... although a few times when I had my mundane job to get to, I wore my garb for a few hours (no strict office dress code on weekends) until I had a break to change ... computers and bodices aren't a good combination!
Maybe faires that have considered putting in changing areas decided it really wouldn't add anything, since most people are fine with however they currently manage.
Quote from: Blushing on March 25, 2009, 01:17:50 PM
Maybe faires that have considered putting in changing areas decided it really wouldn't add anything, since most people are fine with however they currently manage.
Quite true but if faires who are into some type of community involvement could provide a few pavillions on the outside of the gates and let the local scout troups man them to see that people are not intruded upon then those that use them could tip the attendees a buck for their efforts etc. Granted it might be a bit expensive to provide pavillions but think of the spectacle it would make. JMHO. That and a ducat will get you a cup of coffee.
Just to chime in, changing pavilions might be a good idea, but most people I know don't need them. If someone was gong to add something to a faire, the big question would be: will this bring MORE people (i.e. more money) into this faire? So if it's between changing tents and, uh, a new performer or indoor Pub or stage, then, well, guess which wins?
Neat idea, though. I will save it for if I ever open a faire.
More people would be great! :D But those new to faire might still be a little shy, (I know we'll change the shy soon enough). At TRF there is the ability to rent garb outside the gate and changing rooms are in the rental shop.
What ever gets more people to faire is good with me! ;D :D
i think changing rooms would be great i know they rent costumes at Garf but i never thought of where those people changed at.
I normally arrive mostly dressed i hop out of the truck put on my sword my hat and few other things and i'm done
I wish we had changing rooms at MNRF. Lord Garadeaux and I drive over 10 hrs to fair each time we visit for the weekend, and we take turns driving (and sewing in the car). I can't sit in my hoopskirt, much less drive in it, and I hate trying to rearrange layers just outside the car without flashing anyone.
If they had an "attendant" standing guard at the changehouse asking for "donations", I'd definitely tip him a loonie or so to pay for the cost of the structure. I bet most people using them would too!
I would like changing rooms. It could be a tent structure. I know many of you are a lot younger than I am and I remember when I COULD change easily. I could twist, bend, maneuver with the best, not showing anything, while standing in full view.
After breaking my right shoulder, it wasn't so easy and age doesnt' help matters. Also, when Sir R takes off his jeans and puts on his tights/leggings, he needs some privacy. He can manage everything else ok, though.
2 of those rennie tents might not be bad, but I don't know how they handle in the weather..
You mean those pavillions? We have them up front at MNRF, where they have massages, sell phones and other stuff. There are usually 4 or 5 set up outside the front gate. I don't know how they are in the weather, but they are set up the whole 7 weekends.
How many would be needed? Some folks take a LOT of time getting into costume. A changing room, tent, whatever, would probably mean that those wishing to use them would probably not climb into the under layers until they got there. I suspect that time spent in a changing room would be fairly extensive and the irritation of waiting for one would offset the advantage of having one. For me, another irritation is folks using the disabled privies for changing rooms. Grump Grump!!
Don't know if I've become jaded over the years, but I've got better things to do than spy on folks changing in the parking lot. If there's a Rennie Code, I'm sure parking lot spying would be contrary to it :) In our case, we're unloading Sparky/Lightning and getting him set up as the focus for our attention. And he has no modesty. (BTW, Lightning now has his own gate pass :) :) )
Back in Agoura days, it was 80 miles from door to door. In my case I went in shirt and trousers and added the rest after we got there. Wife and daughters found that hoops could be positioned under the outer layers after arrival.
If we're traveling several hours, we generally get there the day before and leave the day after. That way we can enjoy the show instead of being stressed by the travel. These days, we use the RV. In the past, ye olde Super 8 or Motel 6 sufficed.
I'd rather events spend money on better shows than on changing rooms. I'm not aware of any clothing vendor that doesn't have changing rooms for new acquisitions.
I also was thinking, they don't necessarily need to be "private" but perhaps just have 2 long structures one for the boys and one for the girls,
If going through the effort of constructing a building for changing rooms, it doesn't take much more effort to at least add curtains separating out individual stalls.
I didn't see it mentioned, so I'm going to play devil's advocate. If you put these out in the parking lot, you'll need additional security to monitor them. It's an easily accessable, semi-private place in the middle of the general public. You'll have problems with vandalism, drug use and worse. I'm sure something like this would drive up insurance rates. What happens when someone heads out to their car to grab some clothes to change in the middle of the day. No one is in the parking lot; there may be no one within earshot.
Sure, it's a risk that we all take, and usually nothing happens. But if something does happen, then the faire could easily find themselves at the pointy end of a lawsuit, providing "opportunity".
[/buzzkill]
I see your point, Aiacha, but we already have pavillions up front, but not in the parking lot. I don't know if they have problems with vandalism, etc, but they have been there for quite a few years.
Would tents be a lot different than the porta pots that are already out in the parking lot? I don't see any security for those.
Quote from: Lady L on April 01, 2009, 12:19:32 AMWould tents be a lot different than the porta pots that are already out in the parking lot? I don't see any security for those.
Size, really. No room to do anything in a porta-castle. Plus, if the pavillions and porta-castles are near the front, you have foot traffic as a deterrent. As I said, I was just playing devil's advocate.
Quote from: Aiacha on March 31, 2009, 02:38:30 PM
It's an easily accessable, semi-private place in the middle of the general public. You'll have problems with vandalism, drug use and worse.
[/buzzkill]
Shhhh! You're ruining my idea for www.portapottyswingers.com
Dang!
Interestingly at Sterling last year there WAS two or three blue porta-potties in the middle of the parking lots where I got dressed as people were coming in to the faire.
Regards,
CB
I agree with the idea that these changing pavillions would be more trouble than they're worth. They'd cost money to build/buy, they'd need security... all money which could be going to the faire!
At TNRF, I just dress in my chemise and leave everything else for the parking lot. It's fun to see the looks the other hotel patrons give you as you head to the car! Sometimes it's hard to change into multiple skirts in the parking lot-- especially if there's tall grass-- but that's part of the fun. Leaving the faire, it's a bit more difficult to change into a t-shirt in the parking lot, but using my chemise and cars as a cover, it's not so bad.
When we have gone to other faires, not MNRF, (where I change in my own shop,) we have used the gas stations' bathrooms. At some faires, there are gas stations quite close to the faire's location.
The parking lot is the best place to change. See what I'm wearing in my photo? Whatch we struggle into it in the morning and out of it in the late afternoon in the parking lot at Great Lakes July 25, Ohio Sept 19 and Michigan Sept 20.
There have been more than a few times were people set up small pavilions in FOF parking at scarby to change in at 8:00am.
Quote from: DonaCatalina on February 16, 2010, 04:05:58 PM
There have been more than a few times were people set up small pavilions in FOF parking at scarby to change in at 8:00am.
I acutally have been planning something similar. I want to create a mini-tent attachment for my SUV, which can be quickly attached and provide enough room for someone to change, and maybe a little shade on those hot days. It's not so much for when I get there, since I drive from the hotel half dressed anyway, but when I drive home on sunday, I want to change into 'danes. If it weren't for the "no bra under bodice" thing, it would be much easier. If I could have a quick one room tent at the end of my car, I'd be a happy camper.
Here's something Aiacha; http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Dressing-Tailgating-Shelter-Cabana/dp/B000ENOBVW
If I ran a faire, I'd think a building with 8 or 10 curtained off stalls for changing would be cool, and you could offset some of the cost by having some airport style coin-op lockers for their stuff in there.
Quote from: Zardoz on February 17, 2010, 11:05:02 AM
Here's something Aiacha; http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Dressing-Tailgating-Shelter-Cabana/dp/B000ENOBVW
That's essentially what I'm planning, however, that's made of nylon, and doesn't do much for heat. I'm hoping to put something together that is specifically made for my SUV, including keeping the hatch window open for light, and outer poles to hold out the curtained dressing area for a little more room.
I wonder if Sherwood will consider something like this as they expand?
We have quite a long drive home from faire as well, so we have become quite speedy at the parking lot presto-chango!! If any poor passer by happened to see me in my underthings for a few seconds, he would have surely forgotten about it by the time he arrived home, or have been so scarred that he lost his mental capacities and carries on now mumbling and drooling.