Suggestions

[Gwen aka Punstergal]

Opening Saturday was beautiful! Before I do anything else, I want to thank Rengypsy for all his hard work and dedication, and to thank everyone else who had anything to do with getting this new faire off the ground. You guys & gals did a wonderful job!!

That being said, there is always room for any faire to improve, and I wanted to get my suggestion making out of the way (although I'm sure most of them are probably in the list of future considerations already).

--finding water was a real bear-- especially with a sunburned & thirsty two-year-old in tow. The beer guys/gals did a great job of handling the lines quickly once we did find them (even heard one beautiful woman being organized enough to warn the boys of the need to actually STOCK the coolers so they wouldn't run out of cold stuff). But, I think a few well placed drink carts/wagons would go a long way to help with the issue (and increase profits, of course- I know I'd have bought more drinks if I'd been able to find a drink vendor on the same side as the shows we were watching).

-- Signage definitely needs some work (although that's a lot more on the shoulders of the shows/vendors than the faire management). The Birds of Prey sign was great- we knew exactly when to be there for the shows. And some of the music acts had schedules up, but mostly we kind of wandered around and tried to notice when crowds were forming anywhere. We didn't have any idea when the parade would happen (and KNOW for a fact that a few vendors thought it was supposed to be later than it happened, because we were in their shoppes when the parade went by and overheard them trying to double check the time).

Hrm.. well, I thought I had more, but all I can remember right now is how much fun we had, lol. I guess I'll post these and add to it later if I remember.

[raevyncait]

Overall, plusses, for me, anyway, are
1.   lots of shade and dappled sunshine
2.   a good variety of vendors, with permanent structures
3.   porta-FLUSHIES in addition to standard porta-pots
4.   lots of stages in lots of areas
5.   the swings in the trees

Minuses
1.   poor handicapped parking options (at least what we were directed to, which was row 12, I think, and not the first row by gate (which was NOT full when we got there), as is stated in at least one place that I've seen online
2.   sandy parking areas (driving rows were well packed, but the actual parking spaces were not packed & very sandy)
3.   not enough packed pathways in the shire, rendering a lot of areas inaccessible for anyone with mobility issues
4.   not enough seating spots, especially around food areas
5.   not enough trash receptacles throughout the shire
6.   signage was either hard to see, or non-existent, for directions, etc. as far as within the site, all of the shade is wonderful, but it does create a darkness, which means signs need to have more light colors on them.

[Gwen aka Punstergal]

oh yes.. More trash cans was supposed to be on my list too!!

I didn't really expect the packing/paving to be any different than it was (actually, I expected it to be much worse). I remember TRF back in the day, and I compliment Sherwood on being as accessible as they were. Heck.. even just five years ago there were still parts of TRF that were completely in-accessible to anyone with wheels (strollers included here) after even the lightest drizzle.  I'm sure more foot traffic inside the faire will probably help with that situation too, as specific pathways start to assert themselves amongst the trees.

I remember one other thing though.. the sign on 290! There is a HUGE SIGN (billboard) over the road that the patrons DO NOT TAKE TO GET IN! And a teeny tiny little sign on Old Potato (the right road for patrons). I'm thinking, this is a little backwards I know, it was probably because that's also the campground entrance, but it made things VERY confusing for the day-trippers (and more than a little dangerous, since people in front of us kept having to turn around in the first roadway to get back on 290).

[Zardoz]

The only big concern I had is that while the patron parking lanes and access roads are hard packed roadbed, the parking areas are loose beach sand. I parked with my rear wheels up on the lane because my car has like 4 inches of ground clearance, and my fancy tires have no soft surface traction! I heard a couple folks got stuck though.

I also was a little confused by the sign on 290, The big sign is on the campers only road, and there was a little temporary sign directing you down "Old Potato Road" to the patron parking. Honestly going down that all weather road, I was not 100% sure I was going the right way till I saw the parking area. (an 'all weather road' is a Unpaved road that is constructed of a material that does not create mud during rainfall. it's a dirt road with class)

I agree some more trash receptacles would be good, especially by the food vendors and privies, I encountered a lot of cups and cans in the porta-cans toward the end of the day.

Overall I was really impressed with the whole thing, I had high hopes, but I was being 'realistic' and ready to give it a break because it's new and all etc., there were bumps, but the faire really exceeded my expectations.

[Pascal]

I never noticed "trash picker uppers" during the day -- workers strolling around with a garbage bag on their hips picking up trash and cigarette butts.  There may have been some, but I never saw them.  I walked around before opening on Sunday and picked up a lot of trash -- including trash at the Seven Sisters.

Also, there are some neat signs at the "lake"by the swings warning folks not to play in the water because of "Sea Monsters" -- a really cute idea!  However, I know of several young kids who hung around there waiting to see some sign of the sea monsters!  Maybe some random spurts or ripples of water every now and then, maybe a bobbing hidden "sea monster" fin ... something like that ... might be a neat addition.

Coulda been more signs -- and I also had trouble finding trash receptacles.

All in all, though, pretty much everything at the faire far exceeded my expectations!  Great job!

[Ronald the Bald]

More trash cans near the food areas is 1st on my list. The people serving the meat pies didn't have any at all.

There was someone picking up trash. You didn't notice him because he was in garb, the leper. Thought that was a great garb idea.

Overall I don't really have much to suggest. It was much better than I expected for an opening day of a new faire.

I thought the signs on the road coming from Austin were good. Let me know I was on the right road and how far to go.

[joan of arc]

I have really only one suggestion - improving the parking lot. Sand can get the better of some cars... 

[LadyElizabeth]

Overall, this was an amazing opening weekend!!  I expected alot from the hype and from the pics throughout the weekends, but it truly exceeded it by far!!!!

I loved the lepers who picked up the trash as well!!  It was such a very cool idea!!!  But trash cans were hard to find.  I saw 1 all weekend.

I also had trouble finding soda or water.  However, what I think added to the troubles was that NO ONE knew anything about where anything was.  But that definitely could not be helped!!!  It was opening weekend of a brand new festival, there's nothing that could have helped this.  Maybe some more signs would help or some wooden maps put up in places would help too??

All the trees and the shaded areas were amazing!  The grounds were so huge too!  It was great to have so many restrooms that were hoop skirt accessible!  

[Lady Kett]

Nothing that hasn't already been said - More seating, more trash cans, more signs and stages with act/show times and work on the parking lot.

We had a blast!

[Lishy]

As we were only there for a short time, I cant say much.

I loved the ambiance and general feel of the faire.  It had a calmness and peace to it that I adored, and I really felt it achieved the feeling of stepping back into a renaissance "shire" or forest.  I also enjoyed not needing "brain bleach" every 5 seconds, and was pleasantly surprised.  I was expecting much less for opening day of a first year faire, and am more than encouraged and impressed by what I did see.

The only things I see that need work are the privy situation, and the ease of accessibility for those not on foot.  We had an amazingly difficult time getting Jeffrey and his wheelchair anywhere in the faire, and that was a bit disappointing.  The parking areas themselves also need a little more packing, as I saw several people getting towed out when we were leaving Saturday evening.  And I did hear several people comment on the lack of water and soda, which is a huge complaint at another nearby faire. . .

My only other comment is that if they do indeed plan on charging people to host weddings there, they will need much more organization and communication.  I cannot complain overly much as our wedding was done free of charge other than the actual cost of food, however, if I had paid for anything more than that I would have been fuming at promises made and not fulfilled.  I know we were the first wedding for the faire, and Im sure it will improve vastly!

Overall, it was a beautifully done event, and the faire itself is absolutely lovely.  I see so much potential that I hope will be recognized, and hope to make this faire a regular visit (maybe sans the kids til mobility is a bit improved).

[rengypsy]

this week, we have many portacans, 50 new trash cans, building a new stage for the troubadours who play at the jerusalem pub, set out tin buckets for cigarette butts, added more statuary and signage...adding more seating for the arms presentation, as well as abby green gazebo.  and the week is not over.

[PollyPoPo]

I think it's great the way rengypsy has been responding to suggestions/comments in forum.  Obviously management is paying attention.

We had a great time opening day even though there was some "shaking out" to do.  The leper was unobtrustive, but we did see him several times through the year, hustling at his job.  Luckily we did have a 13 year old lad to find trash bins as needed.   

Sherwood Faire is shaping up to be a great Faire!

[LadyElizabeth]

Lishy, the wedding was really beautiful though!!  I got a standing room only spot, but it was great that we could still see in very well from the standing space around the area.

Rengypsy, you and the other owners have been doing such a splendid job indeed both in pre-planning and in reacting to our comments now!!!  Thank you for making such a wonderful place for all of us Rennies to come home to and play at!!!! 

[knarlyknot]

I wanted to suggest that if you will be giving out performer awards, I heartily recommend your Childrens area Director, Revel, for one.  He was a highlight of our weekend, so much fun and so good at what he does.

Rengypsy, you have much to be proud of sir, the faire is magical, keep up the great work!

[LadyElizabeth]

I second that one KnarlyKnot!!!  Revel is wonderful, gets people engaged, and is a great performer!