Suggestions for Terre: Ideas and Suggestions for Future TRF Development

[dbaldock]

We seem to be drifting away from "Future TRF Development" ideas for Terre...

[DonaCatalina]

I have to admit that I did not even see the Brazilian restaurant...and we missed the parade (isn't there usually a cannon for that??).
I agree we need more seating, it was not easy to find somewhere to sit when we needed a break.
The one thing that I had issue with this weekend is that the drink sizes appear to be getting smaller as the price gets higher.  I bought a mulled wine on saturday and was $6 (or more?) for a tiny styrofoam cup.  I was a bit shocked when they handed me the cup! The price seems a bit disproportionate to what I got! 
All in all though, I am very happy with the improvements!

I like the idea of more ethnic food over generic faire food. Most people remember food. But there are a lot of varieties available from 16th century europe and their interpretations of food from Nueva Espana.
...and more seating.

[Strange]

One of the things I had mentioned to Dan Lowe, tho I'm sure it falls more to Jeff Baldwin:
Faire needs more spectacle, particularly when it comes to the themed weekends.
Pirate weekend is a pretty big social event, but with the exception of the opening show, there are few visual cues from faire that there is a pirate theme.
I figure when I show up that weekend, there should be Jolly Rogers and the like everywhere. I should feel like I just docked in Tortuga.

We have WiFi in camping now, so how about creating a WiFi infrastructure for the merchants/vendors?
While the TRF app is cool, the Friend Finder function has substantially increased the data load on local cell sites, and it has been a challenge to establish good data sessions to run card transactions. A dedicated WiFi network could offload a chunk of that traffic from the cellular network, improving the experience for merchants and patrons.

Finally, one that will likely be quickly dismissed because BODIES/NUMBERS, but I don't think it's too bad a notion...

Pirate weekend and/or Barbarian invasion weekend go either 18+ or 21+ only, at least on the Saturdays.
Now that isn't to say that those days become anything goes or the like, but we have a few bawdy acts at faire, and they should be allowed to thoroughly cut loose those days.
Also, given the nature of "barbarian fashion" at faire, it might relieve some of the concerns about violating the sanctity of children's eyes/psyches.
Plus, I think that it could actually help some of the mid-high end vendors, since there be less of a "don't touch!" vibe.

Just my 2p.

[Fenster]

I agree with a WiFi need for vendors.  A shop owner I know has to run all credit cards this year well after closing as they can't get a good signal during the day.  This was not the case in years past, so I have to assume it's the new app as well as the increased numbers.

[Merlin the Elder]

We seem to be drifting away from "Future TRF Development" ideas for Terre...

Not really, David. Entertainment is a big part of faire—any faire—and should be a consideration the development process.

Somewhere, there's a fine line between right and wrong for a Renaissance faire entertainment when it comes to technology—in my opinion. I'm a rock musician, but wouldn't want to see a rock band at faire. It doesn't fit. That's all I'm trying to say. I do appreciate being able to hear the acts via a modest bit of sound reinforcement.  CiB was loud enough at Scarby to catch the attention of Tartanic.  I'd much rather hear the pipes and drums than a MIDI recording blaring from a 3KW sound system.

[PyroMaster]

I agree with a WiFi need for vendors.  A shop owner I know has to run all credit cards this year well after closing as they can't get a good signal during the day.  This was not the case in years past, so I have to assume it's the new app as well as the increased numbers.

Stay tuned about that. Doug Block and I are putting together a proposal for site WiFi since the campground project cratered so badly (user-wise, not performance).

[Glaodian]

I agree with a WiFi need for vendors.  A shop owner I know has to run all credit cards this year well after closing as they can't get a good signal during the day.  This was not the case in years past, so I have to assume it's the new app as well as the increased numbers.

Stay tuned about that. Doug Block and I are putting together a proposal for site WiFi since the campground project cratered so badly (user-wise, not performance).

The biggest issue I see with wifi for the campgrounds, so that those of us that are out there are mainly there to have a good time, not play on our laptops.  It is a nice service, but I think it would be better used for the shops inside.

[eldatari]

My hubby and I used the WiFi and was very happy with it.

[PyroMaster]

We always knew it was a bit of an experiment and frankly was fun to figure out and set up, so I am not overly disappointed. The site WiFi may be a horse of a different color, but I don't want to say much since we are still very early yet.

[Breandan]

Besides, Doug loves tech challenges

[SirRichardBear]

Lane acts there are a few like Thom Bedlam but I'd like to see more of those small acts I like coming around a corner and seeing someone performing in the lane.   On the same note I'd like to see more cast doing lane fights the one in the morning near the Dove Meadow stage is very good.     Would like to see more of those and maybe smaller one on one maybe pleasant with knifes or clubs.   Also would like to see a return of the tournament fights that Oskar Hasselhoff did.   And more music in the lanes The lady with the violin is wonderful would like to see more perfumers like her  Love the new Barbarian Inn but the stage is just to small needs to be expended and it would be nice to be able to see it from upstairs add a music act to the stage so you have music while drinking your mead.

[RenStarr]

Let me throw out a suggestion.  There's probably more then a few reasons why this idea won't ever get off the ground, but here goes:

Pick one Saturday during the run of the faire, make it on a night with a full moon, and kept the faire open till 10pm.  Wondering the lanes, thru the shops, and even seeing some of the shows after the sun goes down would be a really cool experience.   

[LadyJessica]

...

While I would love to see a massive stone castle built across the pond with the fireworks being launched from the battlement, such a castle would cost nearly a million at the very least (however, I actually DO know a guy who builds such castles, so if the budget ever came available... just sayin'). Remember that Terre has a skeletal budget and still has to clear certain things through George and the shareholders, so keep it within feasibility.

...

Bring Back the Crane- The old hamster-wheel stonemason's crane sits in the Boneyard by the railroad tracks aging and languishing. If it is structurally sound enough, I say find a place for that sucker so that the kids can see how things were lifted and how walls and such were built in the medieval and renaissance periods. That was one of the things I saw when I first attended faire that blew me away, and I loved it. I'd work that puppy and do demos on it myself if I had to in order to see that thing come back, it would be a magnificent educational opportunity.


Anyway, there's my ideas for consideration

Here's my idea and it would tie in with some of the things already posted.  Have a living history "town" with stone masons, a blacksmith, farmer, ect. really showing how life really was back then...not just the festival portion.  Let it be one of the major attractions at the school days events so they can really learn about it.  I'm sure that you could probably find several people that would love to help you run it.

[Breandan]

...I'm sure that you could probably find several people that would love to help you run it.

*raises hand* 

[Terre Albert]

I love all the ideas.  Keep them coming.