Input Sought

[rengypsy]

as most of you are avid attendees of TRF as we are, we are asking something of you that is very important during this season.  yall know the work on Sherwood is about to hit full tilt in the next two-three weeks and wont slow down until the gates fly open on February 27th.

but during TRF we ask that you make comments on the forum here as to what you like best of the faire experience, especially while camping, walking through TRF grounds, food, entertainment, etc.

while Sherwood is a first year faire and wont live up to the standards of TRF, we are shooting for the stars...and it is with your help that we will reach them...and Sherwood will become one of the best faires in the nation.

give your feelings, your observations, your thoughts, and lastly your blessings to us

we are working diligently to make Sherwood you and your family's faire.

peace and have fun at TRF!!!

rengypsy

[K5LYN]

Having chaired the vendor committee of the Bastrop Downtown Business Alliance last year, which stages most of the street festivals in the community, and as a frequent visitor to the two area State Parks, and as a many year veteran of TRF (as a shopper), I will venture forth with an observation that I believe to be important to our success.

At the time of my first visit to TRF, I was most impressed with the nice bathrooms which are found prior to entering the gates, and nicely scattered across the grounds of the Faire.  I have even seen an attendant on duty at times.  This is in stark contrast to the poorly maintained restrooms at the State Parks in this county, which have often been found in such a poor state of repair that flushing is out of the question.  The urinals in the Bastrop State Park are flushed by a "Ranger" with a bucket once a day.  Sadly, that is all.

When one attends a Main Street festival in Bastrop, the Chamber of Commerce office and the Visitor's Center are open to the public for personal use.  While porta cans are present at the largest shows, we have been able to offer the pubic some better alternatives.  This was my contribution, because I thought it was the sign of a "class act."

I still think that way, and if I can assist, I will be most pleased to do so.  Thanks for the great management, Rengypsy!   

[Lady Kett]

Thought I am a TRF Virgin until later this season, I will share my 2-cents worth from the four faires we've been to this year. Post-TRF I'll post any other random thoughts that come to mind. Four may not be a ton for some of our R/F Rennies, but it was a record for us this year.

I agree with K on the restrooms. A good restroom is worth 1,000 words, so to speak. Although I will say that MDRF had the nicest Port-a-Privy facilities I've ever used in my life. If ever there is a Port-a-Privy vs Flush contest, MDRF will be in the finals and give the flushes a run for their money, no doubt. Please don't put the privies near the elephant rides...

I like shade. And while Sherwood is in Texas, so you can probably appreciate how stinking hot it gets, I do also acknowledge that Sherwood is not running during the hottest months so this may not be as much an issue. Regardless, flat parcels of land that used to be a corn field for miles and miles do not appeal to me. Don't think this is a problem given the pics I've seen!

I also like places to sit and rest and watch people. Little benches set under trees, in nooks and crannies. Big rocks and benches strategically placed for the aforementioned sit and rest and watch people activities. I don't want to sit just at shows or food shoppes or pubs, I'd like a few spots to park it out in the flow of traffic just to relieve my aching tootsies and watch people. One thing I really like about Scarby is that near all the restroom areas, there's some show stage with something going on so that when you are with someone and need to make a privy stop, the person waiting has something to be entertained with while waiting.

I like little nooks and crannies sorts of areas where you have to sort of know to "turn right and go down the path" to see something. It gives you the opportunity to feel you've discovered something even if there are tons of people there and a well worn path, it's a smidgeon off the beaten path. I love hawkers that are funny and not pushy. I love the flower vendors with witty lines that keep pestering my husband to buy me flowers. My favorite hawker EVER is the lady at MDRF at the fur shoppe who bellowed out, "Come pet my beaver mum, have you ever felt a beaver like this?" I love food vendors who hawk their food in a witty manner, ala The Kings Nuts at Scarby.

Silly thought it may seem, trash cans in easily accessible and spottable locations throughout is also quite handy. No one wants to carry random leftover bits of food-stuff trash looking for a trash can.

Lastly, while I love the bars and beer wenches to no end, easily accessible non-alcohlic drinks to grab sodas and waters within sight and easy walking distance are most appreciated also.

I am sooooo looking forward to Sherwood, Rengypsy. You, and your team, and the volunteers that I wish we could join up with, are simply amazing. I love looking at the various pictures and hearing about the construction/clearing weekends that I can't wait to be there when the gates open for the first time! I wish we lived closer and almost wished we camped...but only almost LOL!

Many, many blessings your way!

[bellevivre]

YAY! i have many thoughts:

1: Full length mirrors in the bathroom

2: purell in the bathrooms as well as soap?

3: seating in areas other than just pubs, stages (TRF has benches about everywhere)

4: encourage awnings on booths- early spring weather is unpredictable, and shelter from sudden rain is useful!

5: lol sell cider! Blackthorn is the best. But dont charge me $13 for a pint of it like TRF does.

6: allow/encourage 'civillian' policing (this may be an area where the SCA can help out) I get the feeling that this is frowned upon at TRF.

7: definitely, a locker/stowage set up would be nice, for those of us with the terribile disease of shopoholicism

8: As Kett said, suprises are fun!

I think that's it at the moment, but I'm sure I'll think of more...

I am just SO EXCITED for opening day! i think i may start a countdown on this board like the one we had for TRF... I honestly do talk it up to whomever i can!

[PyroMaster]

Signage on the paths to direct patrons to points of interest. Since it is harder to see through the trees in a forested venue, this could be more important than say on the HUGE tracts of land (oy oy) like TRF.

[Blue66669]

I don't like having to go to 8 different pubs to find the ONE thing that I want to drink. A uniform drink menu would be faboo.

Oh, and please offer water at the pubs...

[LadyElizabeth]

WARM alcoholic drink since ya'll will be in the cold season!!  Ditto water at pubs.

Vendors that sell gloves and furs and warm weather things and waterproof parasols, ya know the essentials.

Ditto cute sitting areas other than just at food areas and shows.  My friends and I also like those little nooks to take pretty pics at in our nice garb. 

Programs of shows throughout the day and maps.

Ditto on nice, clean restroom facilities.

[Queen Bonnie]

 A witty and interesting opening pre cannon show to introduce the cast and characters is nice- with a bit of improv each weekend to keep it fresh! I love to hear bagpipes playing at opening. That says FAIRE to me!!!

[Aiacha]

An area where there are no hawkers, booths, musicians, so you can just walk and enjoy the scenery.  The Garden Walk at TRF is an example; it's a quiet place to walk with a special someone where there aren't that many people and you can talk at a normal volume.

Another example (to a lesser extent) would be New York, where the shops et al are compartmentalized so you have to go down a tree-lined walk to get to the next section of faire.  Sure, it can be a little more populated, but it's almost as if its a break from sensory input overload. 

The only request is that you keep it up.  There's a diffrence between looking historical/old and looking overgrown and not kept up.

If you must have a musician there, harps or soft strings would be prefered.

[Lishy]

I think you have already hit a big home run is so many ways, especially with the way the campgrounds are being handled.  I cant tell you how much many of us are looking forward to our own clan areas as well as having actual facilities!

It may seem a small thing, but coke versus pepsi products for the non alcoholic beverages would be fantastic!  Water at the pubs is a great idea, and I definitely like the a fore mentioned suggestions concerning restrooms, and a quiet area to walk through without being hawked at.  Full length mirrors in the bathroom?  Heaven!!!

More natural, healthy food would be welcome among many of us, I daresay.  Salads, fruit and cheese, this sort of thing- faire food is wonderful but especially when you're working as a vendor, fried and spicy/greasy wear on you weekend after weekend.  Especially those of us with serious reasons to watch our diets!

Covered areas are always nice, as we all know the weather in Texas can go to hades in back in a mere instant.  Even when it isnt blazing hot or pouring rain, having a nice spot to get out of the sun for a few moments can be very nice.

A map that is kept current and updated for the playtrons and participants, with perhaps a bit of an idea as to which drinks/foods can be bought where- if not a uniform drink menu- also very helpful.

You have done fabulously so far and I, like Belle has said, am more excited for Sherwood to open than I was cannon at TRF!

[KeeperoftheBar]

I do not know what you are planning for walk ways, but if you decide on cement ones, please avoid the "cobbles" like at TRF.  StudMuffin's gait across them gets very rough and has often caused me to slop my ale (The Horror!).  I imagine they are equally rough on wagons and strollers.  Also, if you have lanes, name them and have street signs.  Then a vendor could be "the third shop on Cutpurse Trail" instead of Stall 301.

[Queen Bonnie]

 Great suggestions Keeper! The cobbles are even rough for people who walk! I hate remembering booth numbers. Street names would be much nicer! Huzzah!

[bellevivre]

I agree with street names... makes it a more believable 'village' and less 'renaissance-themed shopping mall'

[Aiacha]

I'm going to fourth street names, and with street signs it would make it easier to get around.

[LadyElizabeth]

Agree with street names.  Agree with covered areas and walkways and sitting areas around shows!!!  Everyone will be more likely to come if they know they won't be sitting on WET seats on a rainy day!

You should try to get the fruit plate people from TRF to do food at your fair!!  I love all their foods.  THey have great fresh fruits all the time, chocolate covered strawberries and bananas, and of course the wonder fruit and cheese plate!  It's one of my fav's at fair!