The Next Sherwood Forest Faire Gathering
Saturday, December 12th, 2009
3pm-late, late, late
Rain, Snow, Sleet or Shine
Pot-Luck/Cover-Dish
(softdrinks, water and ale provided)
Music, Entertainment
A Free Bazaar
(bring your goodies to market on rugs)
Story Telling for Kids
A Christmas Theme--A Time of Giving
Bring a handmade gift to pass on to someone--nothing elaborate/nothing store-bought
(can be a drawing, a poem, a carving, could be a song you sing to another
A Midnight Mass at Maid Marian's Chapel
A Dedication of our Church within Sherwood
Lots of Family Fun
Please Camp with us
Please Bring your best into our Woods
Friends, Family are all Welcome
KID FRIENDLY!!!
Flush Toiltes/Showers just in time for bursting pipes!
yay so excited- can all bring items for the bazaar? ren-theme garage sale?
ren-theme christmas bazaar
all can sell
bring your own rug to sell from
should be fun
Far off in Louisiana, I got only whispered rumors of a new faire site.... so I thrill to find this! I'm moving back to Texas this very week (as fast as my tires can carry me!).
So.. where's the faire? Elgrin? Any idea how far that is from Houston (we'll be on the north side, near Beltway 8)? Is there an address somewhere that I could put in a map to get an idea?
I think I'd absolutely love to make it out and meet folk and maybe sell/trade/gift a few of the yuletide ornaments I made last year (economy bad, so I was sellin in the neighborhood to pay for groceries- we do what we must, right?). Heck, I might even work on a few of the rope crosses- they're time consuming, but I'm sure there are a few knotwork aficionados around who might appreciate their intricacy as much as I do.
Just soooo excited,
--Gwendolynn aka punstergal aka knottynymph
www.sherwoodforestfaire.com
all the info you need!
The faire site is on the Houston side of Elgin, on 290... not a bad drive.
Hope to see you there! Hopefully, I'll also have some wares to sell ='D
Thank you very much!! I'll definitely check into this one, it looks like it might be a very doable drive. Who knows, I may even get things situated enough to apply as a vendor for the faire.. wonder if they have anyone doing hair flowers yet...
Hey Punster gal! Come do the faire! I'll be there! Hugs! Glad you are moving back to TX!!!
the faire is handling garlands, but we do not yet have a hairbraiding booth vendor
I am extremely excited about this next gathering. I know there will be a bit of TRF fatigue...as all of us will have come from 8 weekends of pure renaissance bliss; but, the prospects for december 12th gathering are huge.
lets get a 1000 folk to attend.
some will be working on the grounds that morning. others will be auditioning for temp faire work as vendors/sales people/parking lot crew/ticket booth sales/etc....and then around 3pm, we will start the bazaar...open to anyone to throw a rug down and sell their trinkets and wares...just in time for the holiday season. around 5pm, we will start the pot-luck dinner--everyone bring a best holiday dish to share. then at six pm, we will gather to exchange a hand made gift of the heart--a piece of art, a picture, a poem, a song you can sing to another or to the group, a charm to leave for the faire--nothing orchestrated--just a time of giving. then around 7pm, we will start with entertainment. i am certain zane can call talents to the stage. we will drink, sing, dance, and play until midnight. at midnight, we will make our way over for a midnight mass at Maid Marian's Chapel. then back to whereever to continue in our celebration of winter...and the coming of Sherwood Forest Faire.
one thousand folk!!!
spread the word.
lets make it happen.
But you scheduled it for the closing weekend of the Louisiana Festival and I've already bought tickets for that! :'(
we will miss you. ok, our goal is now 999.
Dennis and I shall be there with bells on! Well, he may not wear bells, but I sure might! Im sure he will have some of his jewelry to sell and to gift, and who knows what I may bring alot.
I do believe my parents, Sir Mitch and Lady Melissa, shall be in attendance working on their space as well.
TRF is coming to an end.
Time to begin a bit more planning and spreading the word about the Dec 12th gathering.
Want to clarify a few things:ITS OPEN TO EVERYONE
Cover Dish--Bring something to Share
Drinks Provided
Bazaar Starting at 3pm
JOB FAIRE happening simultaneously for booth folk
Maid Marian's Chapel Dedication at sundown
Seeking Volunteers to Entertain on Stage (contact entertainment@sherwoodforestfaire.com)
Bring anyone and everyone
Camping is encouraged
No campfires on the grounds except in the Seven Sisters and at the stage area
No Driving on the Grounds, Please
We need a Roman Catholic Priest for the dedication
CHILDREN/FAMILY FRIENDLY
Come in Garb or as a Mundane--no discrimination for street clothed folk
Bring a song on your tongue and a dance in your heart!!!
i think we will try to camp folk in the meadow across from the lake, as well as around the lake. not on the grounds. if we can bust our arses, we may try to have some gravel down around the campgrounds and have that available. we will try.
Camping Question for rengypsy (Eric) or mpullen (Mike)?
For those of us in the different clans that have marked off camping areas already, I assume it will be OK for us to camp out there?
I know some of us in Phoenix Risen are planning on doing some work on our area that Saturday to get it ready for the spring. Right now I certainly don't speak for the entire clan and when that Saturday comes we might just end up camping down by the lake etc......... I just would like to confirm that camping at our site is not an issue.
absolutely fine.
I'm so excited for this faire!!! :D I can't wait. I only just heard about the Dec. 12 gathering from some members of POP this past weekend. I'm SO there!!!
December 12th Gathering
The Gathering is open to EVERYONE
A Family Focused Event
Cover-Dish around 5pm
Bazaar open to all to sell, trade, buy
bring your own rugs or tables to display your wares
Gift giving after the dedication of the Chapel around sundown
Nothing formal. All gifts are to be handmade. Can be art, poems, a song, a trinket, anything...just a gift on behalf of sherwood's community to anyone, everyone!
Entertainment on Stage--contact Zane @ entertainment@sherwoodforestfaire.com if you would like some stage time to entertain us.
Dedications of Maid Marian's Chapel at sundown and at midnight
Sundown will be officiated by Father Bloodgood (possible mass and communion, dunno yet)
Midnight will be officiated by SWFF own Friar Tuck
Will be a drumming circle at the Seven Sisters after the midnight dedication (all drummers, dancers and fire performers encouraged to participate)
A few rules:
no camping or driving vehicles on the faire grounds (thats only the 23 acres where the faire will be conducted--all other grounds are ok to camp on) this gathering
no open fires--enclosed in firepits are fine.
no underaged drinking tolerated
every campsite is expected to clean up and dispose of all trash
respect others' space and campsites
have fun, understand we are building community, bring your best to the family!!!
So... dinner at 5 and dedications and such at night.. what's the timeframe for the bazaar?
I like getting to places early, so if anyone's going to be out their working on their space during the day and there's nothing else going on, I might pop in and offer an extra set of arms.
bazaar at 3pm.
folk will surely start arriving around noon.
there is a wedding at the chapel planned -- not by us -- but i am unsure what time they plan on holding the wedding ceremony.
can anyone who is associated with the wedding let me know the planned time of the wedding ceremony???
pretty cool that two are gonna tie the knot at one of sherwood's gatherings. sweet, indeed.
Awesome!! What a great way to break in the chapel. Now I have to come early (so I can play photographer, if the wedding couple doesn't mind).
Thanks for the quick responses, by the way, I can't wait to see the site and I'm sure the gathering will be a great experience :)
For clans/families/groups: get onsite as early as possible for the weekend and clear your areas for tents setups plus the across the road parking areas. Otherwise, you will have to park and camp in the Participants area.
I should be onsite Friday afternoon, in case folks come in early.
Tool list:
Chainsaw (gas/2 stroke oil/chain oil)
Grass rake
Lawn rake
Machette
Axe
Hoe
Shovel
Wheelbarrow
Long tree trimmer/saw
Clear your entry area and stack the brush by the entry. I'll bring the shredder around the area when there is enough demand.
A Reminder
Sherwood is having its next Gathering on December 12th
Here are the events as I know them, and this is surely not complete or absolutely accurate...as there are many in charge of various aspects of Sherwood...and the purpose of the day seems to have a multitude of objectives.
First and Foremost!!!
December 12th
A GATHERING for Fun, Community, Entertainment, Merriment, and the Dedication of Maid Marian's Chapel
EVERYONE (Yes, the general public) is Welcome
It's a Family Event
Camping is Encouraged
(No driving on the faire grounds, proper)
Folk are welcome to participate in a Bazaar starting around 3pm
This is nothing formal--kind of a combination of mini-artisan market, resale, etc...leading up to the holidays. Anyone can sell their wares. No fees. No organization. The Bazaar will be set up inside the faire grounds near the blue tent. Look for signage to set up a table or throw a rug.
Drinks (soft, water, and ale) will be provided
cover-dish/pot luck dinner should begin around 5pm
(bring a dish to share--vegetarian friendly is encouraged/not required)
A Gathering of Giving
The theme of the gathering is to celebrate the Faire, the Holiday Season, our own community which is growing leaps and bounds. We will celebrate in an informal manner. Each is asked to bring something of the heart to give to someone else. It can be handmade, cooked, a poem, a story, a song, anything. You are just asked to share it informally with anyone you wish sometime during the Gathering. There will be no formal time for this to happen. Let it come from your heart and happen when the spirit moves you.
The Dedications of Maid Marian's Chapel
As we dedicated the Seven Sisters, we will also dedicate our Chapel in the name of the patron lady of our Faire, Marian. Fr. Bloodgood will lead a Blessing at sundown. Then around midnight, our own Friar Tuck will lead us in a second dedication.
Midnite Drumming at the Seven Sisters
We are asking any and all drummers to hang around long enough to lead us in a drumming circle around midnight in the center of the Seven Sisters. We will have a fire circle...and all the tribe's dancers and fire twirlers are welcome to take to the circle.
JOBS FAIRE
From 10am-1pm, there will be a job faire for folk wanting to work at Sherwood.
A FAIRY TRAINING CAMP
Earthmammawillow will be conducting a Fairy Workshop that day starting at 11am. I assume it will be held under toadstools, so watch your step.
Lots of fun. Bring your best to the Gathering. Bring Friends and Family. we'd like a 1000 people out on the grounds that day.
i hear there was some confusion about my last post re: camping on the 12th
WE WANT ANY AND EVERYONE TO CAMP!!!
if you camp, you just cannot camp on the faire portion of the grounds.
likewise, please note, camping during gatherings is a nebulous term.
we drum, we sing, we traipse around the grounds and play into the wee hours. our gatherings are time of celebration. our quiter time will begin at 2am.
if you like a lot of quiet and seclusion, i would find a campsite away from stages, the front gate or the stone circle.
peace,
rengypsy
Does anyone know how long it takes to get to SWF from Bryan? We have the farmer's market till noon on Saturday and then we are coming straight to SWF from there. Am I going to have enough time to get there before the bazaar starts at 3?
and is there any interest in natural perfumes made from Essential oils? I'll bring some if there is.
I have been passing flyers out at the market and other shows I have also been doing such as the Bellville Market Days yesterday. A lot of people there seemed interested in it! A few people had seen the billboard at TRF.
65-70 minutes. straight up highway 21 til 290, turn right (west) and its exactly 1.7 miles from the highway 21 intersection on your right. i drive it all the friggin time. actually a nice drive.
rengypsy
Thanks! I was worried we wouldn't have enough time, but that's not bad. We usually set up in 30 minutes.
*Bump*
As much as I have wanted to celebrate my birthin' day at Sherwood, we have some family matters, ie a possible funeral to attend or a State semi final play off of my nephew's High School, Stony Point, so regretably I will not be attending. :'( :'(
topic on pot luck for the 12th
i usually cook several veggie casseroles, but i have to be on the road all of friday and will be picking up kegs of beer and soft drinks saturday...thus wont have time to cook.
so, i will have cheese, dip, chips, and something from sams...
could we get some idea of what others might be bringing???
rengypsy
I'm making a very different kind of dip- mushroom jack spread w/ veggie crackers. I think I can also do a pot of some kind of beans (I know I have them, I'm just not sure what kind to make yet). I'll make them veggie-friendly (not my normal, but I'm willing to adapt in the interest of camaraderie :)
weather report:
friday, dec 11: overcast, highs 49, lows 43
saturday, dec 12: partly cloudy, high 57, low 49
couldn't be much better!!!
Thanks for the weather report. Having just returned from transporting my Gypsy Wagon to the festival grounds, I can report that there are areas which don't appear to be very muddy, but are quite soft when driven across. As I was about to back the wagon into the ideal position, I sunk well into the damp earth. I unhitched the Wagon and the nice fellows from Chiapas came along and pulled me out. The Wagon is off the walking path but not exactly where we wanted it. It can be, and should be, moved when the ground dries a bit.
I write this as a word of caution for those who might have occasion to drive on the grounds in the next day or two.
I am looking forward to this event. My camping will be very primative and I will most certainly bring a covered dish or two. Corn cassarole is on the menu for now.
The starts seem to be aligning in my favor this weekend and I hope to be able to make it down, the Christmas party I was scheduled to attend got canceled. What time are people planning on getting there? I saw someone through out noon, will there be people working on clearing campground etc. earlier in the day? For some reason I am in the mood for some physical labor and would love to help out.