Announcement...

[peggyelizabeth]

Remember back on the old board that discussion about Friends of Faire?

Well, I can now announce that we are in final discussions w/ MNRF on specifics on the creation of
Fest Friends!

That's right gang, it's happening! A spot to store stuff, like purchases and cloaks that get to hot and heavy. A spot to eat lunch without trying to find a table. A spot to get some water or just hang out for a bit. (don't worry, 10 am is still at the mead booth)

I will post with more details like the location at Fest, how much membership will cost & what the website address will be once things are confirmed, stay tuned...

[Phelyp, Lord Maydestone]

Sounds cool, keep us posted.

[Baron Doune]

If it's anything like Bristol, put us down for two and as volunteers for a shift on Sat if needed.

[Noble Dreg]

Peggy I have been sooo waiting for this!!!  Please keep me in mind should you require assistance of any kind.  I appreciate your work in this area!

Many thanks.

[peggyelizabeth]

thanks to those who have shared their enthusiasm, both publicly & privately- with a bit of work and a lot of fun Fest Friends will be awesome!

[Charlotte Rowan]

Yes, sounds awesome!! If you need volunteers, my boyfriend will probably be interested. I'll be working at the chocolate cart as usual, otherwise I'd help out too. Keep us posted and thanks for all your hard work!

[Ferret]

Great idea. Thank you for doing this.
Ferret

[peggyelizabeth]

thanks for the support gang.
I should have the website set up early this week with info on how to join, benefits, etc. and I can tell you that the location on the grounds will be just up the hill from the Mead Booth! We're going to be a tent & garden area this year & we're starting small and hope to grow like crazy after that.

[peggyelizabeth]

nope. Fest Friends is in addition to, not instead of season or daily tickets. You still have to figure out your own way through the gate into Fest, but FF is a membership area to chill within the larger context of the Festival.

[Lady Kathleen of Olmsted]

This sounds like an idea waiting to take place. How cool would that be???

[Leyla]

thanks for the support gang.
I should have the website set up early this week with info on how to join, benefits, etc. and I can tell you that the location on the grounds will be just up the hill from the Mead Booth! We're going to be a tent & garden area this year & we're starting small and hope to grow like crazy after that.

Where just up the hill from the Mead Booth?  In my head there's the pavillion, then the big (only hehe) tree, then the labyrinth, a small swath of grass over to Mac's Pub.  Behind all that is the jousting area.  Will Fest Friends be taking over some place in there or is there room on that hill I can't picture?  Just trying to imagine this delightful new change more thoroughly. 

[MissBubu]

I think this is wonderful! Just make sure you get everything in writing from MAF and don't let them take over.

Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

[peggyelizabeth]

this year we will be right next to the garden area. so Rage is correct on the location, we'll have tents and a grassy area with tables and both some sun and some shade.

[groomporter]

Is it going to be roped or fenced off to keep it "members only"?

[peggyelizabeth]

don't worry about the path from mead to pub, we won't get in your way!
And yes, we'll be fenced off using some really cool steal fencing that looks like old iron garden fences. That way it's open to see what's happening, but they're too tall to climb over

[Baron Doune]

Question Peggy?

Private privys?

[Kiss-me-Kate]

Peggy,
how does one become a friend of fest?  Or are we not that far in planning?  Is there a fee?

[Marietta Graziella]

I *love* the idea of private privy's!  Hell I'd pay extra just for that!  Ones that are actually cleaned out regularly.

Last year, opening day, 8:30am.  I went to use the loo in the parking lot and it was already half full!  WTH??  They deliver them pre-used?!?

[groomporter]

I don't remember if it was last year or the year before, but to try to reduce rental/cleaning costs the management tried something different, they opened the show with fewer privies on site thinking they would add more later in the run when the attendance is higher, but it just meant there weren't enough privies on site and they were literally filling up.

[peggyelizabeth]

we're working on the private privy, but due to the location, we may not be able to offer it.  i agree that there's nothing more gross than a nasty privy!

I'm hoping to get our website with membership info up this week, but it's already Thursday and the days are slipping away from me! To start, membership fees will be by check or cash, and we're planning on adding PayPal shortly. I will post a link to the site as soon as I have it up.

question regarding that, would you guys prefer to see a pdf or a word doc for the form? I could do either or both.

[divapixie]

What about those of us that visit fest for one weekend a year due to our long distance living quarters?  I mean, the minion and I drive up for one weekend every year and this sounds too good to pass up.  Any ideas?

[peggyelizabeth]

for those who visit only once a season, we're thinking of doing a 1 weekend pass. you wouldn't get some of the perks, but it would allow for hanging in the Glade (we named it yesterday) and the benefits that affords.

[Marietta Graziella]

They must've gotten a discount because they were "used". 

Last year, opening day, 8:30am.  I went to use the loo in the parking lot and it was already half full!  WTH??  They deliver them pre-used?!?

My monitor thanks you for the coffee bath. 

[peggyelizabeth]

They must've gotten a discount because they were "used". 

yuck!

[MissBubu]

I wonder if MAF would ever let you use the area behind the King's Dungeon. There would be access for Biff's to bring in and maintain a privy and the back exit can be locked.








edited because I'm a crappy typist.

[peggyelizabeth]

they have other plans for that area, and it's a bit too far off the beaten track for us.  we explored many options, including deferring until 2009, before settling on the location.

[renren]

for those who visit only once a season, we're thinking of doing a 1 weekend pass. you wouldn't get some of the perks, but it would allow for hanging in the Glade (we named it yesterday) and the benefits that affords.

Yay!
Thank you!