"The Latest News About Revel Grove
The Maryland Renaissance Festival Considers Relocating
The Village of Revel Grove
The Village of Revel Grove seeks the opportunity to develop a new village in a new location to accommodate the popularity of the event and expand the facility to possibly operate additional activities.
The Festival has enjoyed its present location for twenty-three seasons, after operating its first eight years in Columbia, Maryland. Once again the needs of the village and the desire to provide additional facilities for the event's enthusiastic patrons provides the show management with the impetus to consider opportunities which could enhance and further the event. As a service based business the festival would like to respond to the services the customers would like to see improved and developed.
The future of the festival during the immediate period of looking for a new home and the possible relocation, followed by the opportunity to create the next generation of renaissance festival in the industry is at once a daunting and exciting prospect. We look forward to the possibilities and we will provide announcements of our progress here for you to follow.
While we continue to operate at our current home until we are able to accomplish our goal we wish to acknowledge our appreciation and gratitude to the people the festival presently works with, including local officials and our myriad suppliers and business associates.
Until another day, fare thee well "
copied from www.rennfest.com (MDRF Official Site)
Wow, I'm speechless. Change can be good but scary all the same.
No panic here...one of the ways to make it better is to find a new piece of property with better access capability...it'd be nice to not have that bottleneck...
...as long as they don't stick it WAY out west somewhere...like Omaha... ;)
It will be better than ever!
Amras "Likes His Current 13-Minute Drive to Faire" Elfwine
I have heard this talk for the last few years. Yes, I would love it to be larger but I love our faire the way it is with all the beautiful buildings. I would be concerned that another location may not have the magic that we have now. :-\
YEA! What Lady G said! I also love my 20 min. drive to faire.
This sucks ... other than that I am fine with it :'(
That's a massive undertaking isn't it? All the buildings that would need to be umm....rebuilt? And seriously...what communities want that in their backyard - I always feel for the people in Crownsville, they can't leave their homes during certain hours of Saturday and Sunday since there's a line of traffic.
Then again, makes you kinda wish you had a buttload of wooded property that they might be interested in purchasing. :p You own the new Revel Grove!
Quote from: jmkhalfmoon on October 30, 2008, 04:11:54 PM
Wow, I'm speechless. Change can be good but scary all the same.
You can say that again. Remember what happened when all they did was suspend Pub Sing for 6 of the nine weekends - the White Hart was full of people wandering around lost, like RainMan, "6 o'clock, time for Rackham" :D
Granted, it's the only way for the faire to grow, but there'll be a LOT of adjustment on the part of us rennies. Then again, I'm sure there's a lot of other worries nearer to the top of the list for Jules and company.
Quote from: The Frog Lady on October 31, 2008, 09:17:01 AM
That's a massive undertaking isn't it? All the buildings that would need to be umm....rebuilt? And seriously...what communities want that in their backyard - I always feel for the people in Crownsville, they can't leave their homes during certain hours of Saturday and Sunday since there's a line of traffic.
Not to mention the whole list of things to consider before nailing the first two pieces of wood together, such as finding a place where perhaps the local laws are a bit more accommodating (might there be fire back at faire?), fixing the parking and traffic nightmares (including not being able to use whole sections of the parking lot after a heavy rain), getting access to utilities (do they want to pay for public sewage, or hassle with the septic fields time and time again like before), as well as thinking about all the problem spots of the current faire (Cardiac Hill, the Serengeti Market Stage, the unamplifiable White Hart with the music store full of drums right next door, the whole sound management situation, the dust problem, the mud problem, the turkey legs and ATM machine lines blocking Kenwood Lane, plus a whole list I'm probably missing).
I'm not counting on this happening any time soon.
Well, whatever they decide to do, they REALLY need to do something about the current privvy situation. By 2 pm they are untenable and frankly, quite nasty. You can't even go in there - I honestly think they are a public health hazard they get so bad.
I realize there are issues with having flushies there - they would be really nice but I know the issues - but other faires have privvy fairies to keep things tidied up and such and I think that might help in our situation. Although - with as full as they get I don't think that will completely fix the problem - but anything they can do to clean those things up and make them more bearable would help.
WOW! I remember the move from Columbia to Crownsville and while that was trumatic it worked out I think but to move again? They are going to have to give up so much investment and redo it all over again whereas with the previous move it wasn't QUITE as bad. I know they want to expand and with the fact that you can't get through the lanes on some days, I can see that as being good but this certainly will not happen by next year unless somebody is willing to sink a TON of money into it. I really don't see it happening in the next 2 years really so we'll see what happens.
I think everyone's in for a big surprise at how fast they'll break ground on the new village while running MDRF from it's current site. If they break ground in March for the new village, they can have it ready by the close of the '09 season and spend six months moving the buildings and tending the new area.
It could be moved, up, and ready for guests by opening day 2010.
Keep your eye on the local paper for "land sales" and "public hearings," scanning for words like "250 acres for commercial development" but with only one or two names attached to the buyer and only one builder for the development.
I'm just saying is all.
Well I call dibs on the Manny statue ... it would look great next to my kegerator!
On channel 9 news this morning they said the Renn Faire has grown out of their location and they are looking to relocate. The possible location spots include PG,Calvert and Frederick counties.(please faire gods keep them close)
Man I wish I had 100 Million burning a hole in my pocket!
Quote from: Scotsman on November 03, 2008, 07:10:41 AM
Man I wish I had 100 Million burning a hole in my pocket!
Uh...don't we all? :)
Well, I have mixed feelings about this. I certainly want to see the faire grow. A new location would give an opportunity to improve some issues and it might be fun to have additional activities, shops etc. However I too am nervous as to what the move may bring. We live in Sykesville and we are almost an hour away. A move to Calvert or PG County would make the drive pretty long. Getting to faire for tailgate would mean a very early departure for us.
Well maybe this is just more talk. I hope they consider our central location to Wash., Md. and Va. :-\ Oh well we can only hope they stay close by. :(
Well if they move to Frederick County that would make it a WHOLE lot easier for me to get there, no beltway. ;D Where ever they do move to, I hope they don't go too far though that is for sure.
The story made the b-free Daily today.
Page 10. basically what we already know.
The Faire Management has hired an agent to search for property, with a preference to buy rather than lease. They are looking for 150 acres, with at least 80-90 acres cleared and at least 25 acres of it "mature woodland".
I too love our current location. It just has so much character. Would hate to see it move, but would be curious to see what could come of a new location. Bigger could be better, but could be worse. Hmmmm....such a dilema.
Getting RenDezvous for next year takes on a special significance now...we can show the place off well and proper to folks who might never have gotten to see Revel Grove...
Quote from: Amras Elfwine on November 04, 2008, 03:45:35 PM
Getting RenDezvous for next year takes on a special significance now...we can show the place off well and proper to folks who might never have gotten to see Revel Grove...
Amen to that my friend! I'm sure whatever new site they come up with will be nice but it will not be the Revel Grove we have all come to love.
With this being a different village, at another location, is it appropriate to continue to call it Revel Grove? Or does another town being built justify a different name?
More than likely because of it's history, if we move, the owners might still call it Revel Grove.
*wipes tear from eye*
Sniffle, sniffle, sniffle!
Careful, Scotsman! You'll water down your drink!
Quote from: Feline Groovy on November 18, 2008, 08:07:09 AM
Careful, Scotsman! You'll water down your drink!
Thanks lass ... just in a bit of turmoil over this possible move ... love the ole site :'(
Quote from: Scotsman on October 31, 2008, 12:49:36 PM
Well I call dibs on the Manny statue ... it would look great next to my kegerator!
I
second That motion!!! I have video proof that Scotsman takes great care in making sure Manny is well protected from the elements in
top of the line under-wire weather guards.
Whatever the location, as long as we can gather together, it will be wonderful! :-*
Call it anything....except "Odenton"... 8)
Quote from: robert of armstrong on November 16, 2008, 06:18:05 AM
With this being a different village, at another location, is it appropriate to continue to call it Revel Grove? Or does another town being built justify a different name?
In the Tudor period, it was not at all uncommon for real villages to be completely destroyed (burn to the ground, flood, etc) and build anew, not always in exactly the same location. If the move happens, I predict that, true to MDRF's committment to providing a coherent plot, the abandonment and rebuilding of Revel Grove will be integrated into the story line that year.
As long as I get another year in that version of Revel Grove I'll be okay - 3 years is all I will get :(
Maybe they can find a site closer to Scotsman's Backyard (laughing)
I love Manny next year you ought to give him a kilt :)
OMG Nailin thats a great idea!
Scotsman just how big IS your backyard? ::)
Quote from: LADY JOYCE ANN on November 30, 2008, 07:00:24 PM
Scotsman just how big IS your backyard? ::)
Just big enough for all my rowdy friends! ;D
Anyone heard anything else on this?
Check the website. Don't know if they have posted anything new yet or not.
No official word of any change. . . . but there were surveyors along the parking lot fence near Crownsville Road. . . so who knows!
Quote from: SirBlackFox on January 05, 2009, 01:07:24 PM
No official word of any change. . . . but there were surveyors along the parking lot fence near Crownsville Road. . . so who knows!
Fingers crossed .....
not sure how true it is, but legend has it, the owners of the current site weren't willing to renew the 30 year lease that is coming to an end and that is one of the majour causes for the move. hopefully, it will be a pleasant and painless transformation to a bigger better more wonderous life.
The festival will stay put at least for the next few years. Negotiations in all fronts are ongoing.
That's the best news I've heard all day!! Three cheers for Revel Grove!
Great news, I love the current site!
Lady Glorianna is that fairly certain? I don't know if I can swing this year, but I would dearly love to see Revel Grove before it moves. Hate to plan on next year and then miss it entirely.
From the official website:
January, 2009 While the Maryland Renaissance Festival continues to operate at its present location for the next several years new opportunities are being investigated to offer the customers additional activities and attractions.
Frederick would make me HAPPY! I can SEE Frederick from my house! I live out in Lucketts VA so fairly long drive and lotsa gas for college students!
If we had a vote I would vote Frederick. It's a lot closer to me in Sykesville than say somewhere in PG County.
I heard a rumor that the search has been halted because something had been worked out with the current landlord. Anyone else heard anything? The website still has the original information saying that they are looking for another site.
Quote from: Dallan on April 22, 2009, 11:27:41 AM
I heard a rumor that the search has been halted because something had been worked out with the current landlord. Anyone else heard anything? The website still has the original information saying that they are looking for another site.
That is but a rumour. . . I have that info on authority. If the search has been halted it's only because the mgmt is directing their attentions to the upcoming season instead. The website is the only real source of info. that you can count on.
Festival with more than 250,000 visitors is looking at sites in FredCo
Frederick County could be the site of jousters and people in medieval costumes if the Maryland Renaissance Festival relocates. The event draws about 285,000 visitors during its nine-weekend operation.
Jules Smith, general manager of the annual fall festival, said Thursday that the festival owners are looking at nine sites, three of which are in Frederick County.
He would not disclose where the sites are, but said they range from expanding at the festival's current location in Crownsville in Anne Arundel County, to "north of Hagerstown and in Calvert County," Smith said.
The festival owners still have a lease on the property in Crownsville, "so it will be years before anything would happen. It is a long process," Smith said.
The Rest of the story: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/displayUpdate.htm?StoryID=89948
Thanks SBF. I'm pulling for Frederick County. Calvert County would be a long drive for me. I was hoping for them to land closer to Frederick. Hagerstown is about the same drive time as Crownsville. Yes, I'm all about me. ;D
If they go to Frederick County I can avoid the beltway and Redskins Stadium all together! WAHOOO! And Dallan its about me not you! ::)
Well, I think it's about me, and I don't have anything to do with it, except for the fact that I am the center of the universe!
Well I'm certainly drawn to you.
I love it when that happens! :-* :-* :-*
The Maryland Renaissance Festival is scouting Charles and Calvert counties as possibilities for its new home, the group's general manager said.
A move could be several years away but the group has looked at more than 80 sites in six easily accessible counties for possible relocation of the fair, currently based in Crownsville in Anne Arundel County, said Jules Smith Jr., the fair's general manager.
"We're not relocating the show unless we find something that works for us. What we're looking for is something about 150 acres or larger in a rural setting and that's why [Calvert and Charles] counties are appealing to us," he said.
more at: http://www.somdnews.com/stories/05132009/rectop140503_32179.shtml
SO. . .When we were at Varf this past weekend, the lady at COVER DEM BONES told me that MDRF bought a site just over the PA. line for faire. I told her I hadn't heard that and it would no longer be MDRF.Hope theres nothing to that one!
It might be she was taken in by that April Fool's post on the FOF board - like someone I know was......
Ha Ha Mehan ... Joyce it is BS!
hehe well im crossing my fingers it does come to frederick. cause well i live in frederick! i was excited but worried at the same time when the local paper printed this story some months ago. as much as i would like it to be closer to me. i really HATE my town and hate the area and dont know where they would put such a massive village. frederick is already overdeveloped as it is. i really do like the atmosphere in crownsville i dont know how it would be if it moved.....