Opening day observations

[Lord Duelist]

I figure I'll offer up my take on TRF 2008 opening day, from what is only my second season attending as an adult. (I know, this is long... but in a roundabout way, this may well be a better intro than my actual intro post.)

I'll start by saying I absolutely, positively had a wonderful time, from cannon to fireworks. I am also grateful I made my Thanksgiving Friday visit last year, as the experience I gained from that trip was used to its fullest extents today.

It seemed like the crowd was a bit thin, this being a combination of observations from the portion of the drive down FM 1774 past Magnolia, through the entire day, through the drive home down TX 105 to I-45 (more on this later). The only contrary evidence was the seating in The Arena still relatively full at fireworks time. One would think discounted tickets would solve this problem (hey, the discount certainly helped my budget).

This may be the second, and last, time I actually plan on seeing a 9:30am show start to finish. I lost track of time browsing at the start of the day and only caught most of the last half of Arsene. What I did catch was Arsene's usual hilarious act, so it was not a total loss. I made a tentative plan to use the "open" time later in the afternoon to see an Arsene show in its entirety (specifically the 3:30pm show), after realizing staying put for the entire the 11:30 show would likely make me late for the noon gathering at the Prince of Wales pub. (In true geek fashion, I timed my walk from POW to the Odeon at around 1min30 to 1min45, this show ended at 10:06, so that's a good 8-9 minutes late, possibly more if it ran even longer.)

The first real change I notice is this year, the sodas are Pepsi products. At least Dr. Pepper is still being served. I don't know the politics or financial details of how that happens; I just know I felt like an idiot when I asked for a Coke. I can live with Dr. Pepper, though.

At Sound and Fury's 10:30am show (which is one I've seen before, but still insanely funny), I learn they added a new show (entitled "A Little Death" if I remember right) which would debut at 4:30pm. At this point I am still undecided as to whether or not I'll try to fit it in.

I use a bit of the open time before noon to venture over to Sherwood Forest and get in what has become an obligatory attempt at Drench-a-wench. New wench this year, with a completely different attitude and style from last year's (again, it may well be someone different every year). I also browse a few shops, and snag lunch (I forgot the shop name, but it's the BBQ Dragon sandwich).

And this is the slightly embarrassing part... I've forgotten most of the names of the people I was introduced to, besides Valt; I remember faces at least, it's just a question of matching to names from the avatars and/or pictures. (note to self: must not wear yellow shirt next visit)

I had set aside about an hour and a half, and despite the parade the crowd thins out well before 1pm I decide to rearrange the schedule the second time scratching the tentative plan for the 3:30pm Arsene show.

So I dash over to the Agora stage to catch Gypsy Dance Theatre's 1:00pm show and Christoph the Insulter's 1:30pm show, the latter of which is likely one of my new favorites. Next time I'll have to find someone to go to that show with, given how he runs his show (which I can explain in a future post if nobody else beats me to it).

I have a little more open time (I think I grab more food and just kind of stroll a bit) before waiting until 3:30pm for The Other Brothers, who also did not disappoint.

And then comes Sound and Fury's 4:30pm show. For a show they are still trying to work out some of the rough edges for, it was great.

Finally it's time for Iris & Rose at the Sea Devil Tavern at 5:30pm. I'll just say if Iris & Rose ever truly disappoint me, I will know the world is about to end. My sides hurt by the end of this one from laughing so hard. (Iris & Rose felt it necessary to apologize for running overtime, surprising for a 5:30pm show, when I suspect most people would otherwise be just waiting for the fireworks.)

The only other thing to note is I did, for once, try out the TX 105/I-45 route on my way home, in an attempt to avoid what I suspect to be the more traveled FM 1774/TX 249 route. I can see why some like this route, though it did seem like it took longer before I felt like I was making real progress back towards Houston.

[Sir Martin]

Opening day was, to be sure ... an enormous amount of fun.  Hope to meet even more of you in the coming weeks.

[filip]

Opening day was a ton of fun!

the only bad thing that happened all weekend was some drunken weed kicker harassing some neighbors who eventually got the cops to handle him. everything else was pretty normal...hanging out with some friends, doing some shopping, eating good food, drinking a little (too much), meeting a few new people.

good times. hopefully I can get some pictures uploaded in the near future to share.

[ravic]

It seemed like the crowd was a bit thin, this being a combination of observations from the portion of the drive down FM 1774 past Magnolia, through the entire day, through the drive home down TX 105 to I-45 (more on this later). The only contrary evidence was the seating in The Arena still relatively full at fireworks time. One would think discounted tickets would solve this problem (hey, the discount certainly helped my budget).

Crowd was definitely not thin! With a headcount of 26,200+, it may have been a record opening day. The areas I could see from my booth were certainly crowded.

[Randal]

The headcounts I heard were 26,500+/- for Saturday, and 17,000+/- for Sunday. These are incredible numbers for Opening Weekend, and are good numbers for just about any weekend. Factor in Hurricane Ike, high gas prices, and the state of the economy, and these numbers are even more impressive.

I think this is due to a combination of several factors which include the discount tickets (which are a standard practice for every season, BTW), the fact that the Astros aren't in the playoffs, the incredibly nice weather, the fact that this was actually the second weekend in October, rather than the first, and people just wanting to relieve some stress and have some fun.

What truly surprised me was how early the crowd made it back to Sherwood Forrest both Saturday and Sunday. Typically we don't get busy back there until after 11:00 a.m on Saturday, and after noon on Sunday. We had patrons in Sherwood by 10:00 a.m. both days, and they stayed until nearly 7:00 p.m.. Even better, they were playing and having fun. 

As for the Drench-A-Wenches, there are more than one. The ones we have this year are veterans, but unless you stayed through all of the shift changes this year and last, you haven't seen all of them. To further confuse matters, we sometimes make a temporary change when one of the ladies is feeling bad, or if we have a young lady wanting to try her hand at it.

Randal

[Lord Dragonspyre]

Lord Duelist, I am glad you had a fantastic time at Faire this weekend and hope you get to come back soon!

[Sir Martin]

Excellent observations, Randal.  Lots of folks apparently have decided they need to get away from mundanity and TRF is a great way to do it.  Official opening weekend attendance was 43,626 which places it among the best opening weekends ever!  Didn't make it back to Sherwood but I'll get back there to see you in a week or two.

[Broadside]

I will say this from the performers side there were plenty of paytron that wanted to play and sing-a-long. To those that came by the Sea Devil and even more to those who came out and sang at the Pub Sing.

Thank You

[Sir Martin]

It was good to see you again, Broadside.  The pub sing was a lot of fun.  Did the performers decide to move it to the Feast Hall in future weeks or will it remain at the Leek and Daffodil? 

[Broadside]

That is under discussion as we speak. We moved it on Sunday to the benches outside of the POW and had mixed reactions. We were going to have it inside the Feast Hall but there was not enough word of mouth to get an audience to show up. So I would say that if you are interested in showing up for the Pub Sing check with us during the day at the Sea Devil and we should be able to let you know where it is going to be.

I guess that is the trouble with having something that is technically unofficial. You never know exactly where or who is going to show up.

[Chianti]

I had a great time on Saturday.  I got to try out my new Jester outfit and character and had a blast.  The people were fun on Saturday.   It was great to see Var! I missed Bonnie though .  She was in the feast when I was at the POW looking for her.  Ah well. 

[ravic]

I had a great time on Saturday.  I got to try out my new Jester outfit and character and had a blast.  The people were fun on Saturday.   It was great to see Var! I missed Bonnie though .  She was in the feast when I was at the POW looking for her.  Ah well. 

The new outfit looked great. Thanks for dropping by.

[Queen Bonnie]

 I had a WONDEROUS time! See News from Meow Manor in the Realm of Glenlivet for more.
 So sorry I miss you Chianti- When will you be there again? I sure missed you on cast! but I Loved the Kings feast! Lord A would have adored it! Prime Rib! What a treat! I had fun! I even stayed in one spot for 2 hours! Hard for me to do- usually!  I will be at the rest of the meet and greets! I hope!
I spent the whole weekend hugging old friends and meeting new friends- alas no wizard as yet. Getting out my Wizard Wanted sign for next weekend- and hope I have better luck this year!
I Needed this weekend- and the hugs. There is way too much reality in my life - I hate dressing like a Muggle- and TRF revived my spirits! See you all again- soon. I want to find the pirate pub sing! New contest? Find the pirate Pub Sing? Yo Ho! LOL!
 

[Blue66669]

I had a WONDEROUS time! See News from Meow Manor in the Realm of Glenlivet for more.
 So sorry I miss you Chianti- When will you be there again? I sure missed you on cast! but I Loved the Kings feast! Lord A would have adored it! Prime Rib! What a treat! I had fun! I even stayed in one spot for 2 hours! Hard for me to do- usually!  I will be at the rest of the meet and greets! I hope!
I spent the whole weekend hugging old friends and meeting new friends- alas no wizard as yet. Getting out my Wizard Wanted sign for next weekend- and hope I have better luck this year!
I Needed this weekend- and the hugs. There is way too much reality in my life - I hate dressing like a Muggle- and TRF revived my spirits! See you all again- soon. I want to find the pirate pub sing! New contest? Find the pirate Pub Sing? Yo Ho! LOL!
 

Queen Bonnie, again it was a pleasure to see you, and an honor to have you as a guest in our shop. See you next weekend!

[Element of Air]

I really do understand why the true Queen of TRF and all fairs have hired Guards to protect them from the mundane onslaught!!  How I do wish I had my own "Chris" or Guard to protect me...

I do want to say though that I did not allow the insanity to ruin my time at all!!!  Opening weekend this year will go down as a fabulous opening weekend!!

I am SURE there are many men and women on the Forums that would Gladly be your escort!