Twig Olde World Ren Faire : Update!!!!

[lady serena]

I would like some input on the fair from past years and this year. What I'm going to do with said info is bring it to the meetings and see if we can get something updated, changed, or whatever. Please remember this is a small fair and they are doing their best to make it a wonderful weekend for everyone. Now is the time to speak up so I may transfer your questions,recommendations, or complaints to the people that it needs to be directed at. I want to try and make this a better fair for all as it may go to 2 weekends next year we are all hoping at least. Thanks for your help!

I will start things off and say more seating is needed.
The Belly Dancers? What about them, please let me know.
What else???

[Noble Dreg]

Scotch eggs should be hot!

I mean it!

But seriously, you have great food (excluding the forementioned cold deep fried sausage wrapped ovum), great mead, and great entertainment.  You said it, it's a small fair, budgets are limited.  Can't say I'd change a thing, except the Scotch eggs, did I mention they're cold?

I would perhaps like to see the hours extended.  Might give the cooks time to start a fire...and heat the eggs...You know, the cold ones...that should be hot.

[Tarac]

Water Carts at least 2 one by the joust area and one in the middle commons. and one or more pickle venders on hot days the Pickle juices is a god sent.

[Noble Dreg]

To be clear, the water should be cold, not hot...And the pickles, cold too.

Edit: Not like the Scotch eggs, which should be hot.

[Lord Moravec]

I agree on more cold water and cold pickle vendors. More wares vendors with leather costumes and or other costumers/clothiers with real men's sizes.  The problem with the scotch egg is also the reason I did not get to enjoy a babie's head they lost power at a most inoppertune time.

[DeadBishop]

Father Brennans (spelling?) was the one who has the Scotch Eggs, Baby's Head, etc.  I think the problem is, they believe that giving the customer what they see as traditional (cold scotch eggs) is better than giving the customer what they want (hot scotch eggs).  They'd probably have better sales if they listened to the customers, rather than being snooty and correcting them that cold is traditional and to deal with it.  Otherwise I think the variety for food vendors was great for the size of the faire.

Now, as to the belly dancers, I'd love to see them perform.  No, really.  I was there both days, and never saw them performing once.  The younger ones just wandered and flirted with other people (mainly the other performers and boothies) rather than doing what they were supposed to be doing, from what I saw.  And as far as the rest of the street characters, I didn't see a whole ot of interaction between them and the general public.  Mostly just seemed to be playing with themselves, so to speak. 

More water carts. 

They appear to have room for more vendors with the expansion, so make use of it properly!  It looked like several of the vendors, like LaVigne Leather, looked to be stranded in a new area for vendors near the front gate, and I don't think anyone knew they were there.  Spread the vendors out so they get more exposure,or keep them all together so no one goes unnoticed.

[Goody]

Scotch eggs should be hot!

I mean it!

But seriously, you have great food (excluding the forementioned cold deep fried sausage wrapped ovum), great mead, and great entertainment.  You said it, it's a small fair, budgets are limited.  Can't say I'd change a thing, except the Scotch eggs, did I mention they're cold?

I would perhaps like to see the hours extended.  Might give the cooks time to start a fire...and heat the eggs...You know, the cold ones...that should be hot.

Belly dancers had shows on the stage up in the woods, I believe.

Can I tell ya how many times I've heard folks at Fat Head Brennan's say "That's the traditional way" (ps. I like em hot too) EDIT I wrote this before I read DB post but yeah that is what they say!

[Sorcha]

Chairs...  Tables...  Tables with Chairs in the food/drink area.
Two years ago there were some picnic tables under a little tent next to the mead booth.  That would have been nice to have again this year, especially on Saturday.

I second the pickle boy!
And more cast interaction with the public too.

Duluth has a pipe and drum band.  Any chance of getting them there for a performance?

The joust was a great addition!

[der idee_mann]

First let me say I enjoyed my first trip to Twig very much and I met a lot of wonderful people and I look forward to doing it again next year ...

While I was working at the gates some of the things I heard people say and what I noticed myself and keep in mind these are improvement thoughts:
 
           More seating areas a really need throughout for people to stop and rest and/ or eat.

           Water - there was not enough and not cold (when I was working at back gate so many asked me about this when they were back there for the joust)

           First Aid was kind of hit and miss, I know this is difficult but there were a couple of times when people came looking but there was no one because they had left for a call
           or something.

           Better signs, Privies, joust etc. bigger might make for less confussion when people are looking.

           Bellydancers .... hmmm maybe I am spoiled but they just didn't really make much effort from what I saw ... drumming didn't help

Now as a volunteer this year and hopefully in the future ... PLEASE dear god Shade, water, and Benches at both gates ... makes for a long rough day without it ... I can speak from experience here

[Noble Dreg]

You know what bellydancers have in common with Scotch eggs?




They should both be...

[MissBubu]

Scotch eggs - don't mind them cold, and one of our group can't eat the ones at MNRF because something in them makes her sick. She can eat Brennan's.
Haggis - need to bring more
Belly dancers - maybe you should check their training background? and if someone is going to play a character that is from a foreign country that doesn't speak English, maybe they should know the language they're supposed to speak.

Other than that, I think it was great! (loved the frog legs! and the lemonade!)

[Leyla]

Dreg, you crack me up!

I didn't make it to Twig this year, but from what I remember of the belly dancers I think they likely volunteered, rather than being paid to be there. Watching the performance reminded me very much of a first year class.

The troupe out at MNRF, Sisters of Sahara, would be a grand replacement. Most of those dancers do solo gigs too.  So even if you couldn't get a troupe I'd take a solo performer who was AWESOME over a troupe of first year gals.  Maybe they could look at the troupe who performed out at WIRF. They were also very entertaining.

[lady serena]

Thanks for the input please keep it coming! I will start to put a list together tomorrow so we can see what has already been listed in a quick hurry. I know as a vendor I wish there was more than one water vendor, and more seating in the food court area and else where. What would everyone like to see as far as entertainment? The jousting was a big hit from everyone that I talked to, what else? I missed having the Dreggs there this year but maybe next year, keeping fingers crossed.

[Marietta Graziella]

I didn't make it to Twig this year (long story, and sore subject  ) but I remember from last year was lack of interaction from the cast.  When I attempted, several times, to engage them I was shrugged off or ignored.  They seemed to enjoy a great deal of "casterbation", meaning playing with each other instead of guests.  Very off-putting.   I also noted several people "on cast" who were dressed very badly.  I'm no garb snark so I don't mean H/A, I just mean badly.

I *luv" Brennan's!  Baby's Heads!  Yummy!

*added*
Also, for the love of people's sanity, be sure to tell vendors that guests are NOT there to watch their children.  NOT there to have shows interrupted by their loud mouthed, unruly, ill mannered, children.   If you can't monitor your children while you vendor, then DON'T BRING THEM!   More than one show was essentially ruined because of vendor kids.  The performers were trying very hard to maintain but it was horrible.  If necessary, perhaps a volunteer/vendor child area where they will be safe and have things to do instead of interrupting shows.

[escherblacksmith]

I believe another term is Masturbatory theater.

[der idee_mann]

Dreg, you crack me up!

I didn't make it to Twig this year, but from what I remember of the belly dancers I think they likely volunteered, rather than being paid to be there. Watching the performance reminded me very much of a first year class.

The troupe out at MNRF, Sisters of Sahara, would be a grand replacement. Most of those dancers do solo gigs too.  So even if you couldn't get a troupe I'd take a solo performer who was AWESOME over a troupe of first year gals.  Maybe they could look at the troupe who performed out at WIRF. They were also very entertaining.

That is what I mean by spoiled: the skills, performace and comfort level that we see at MNRF would be nice to bring more of that to Twig lets face it really good (yes and like scottish eggs should be - Dreg) bellydancers do draw a good crowd.

We did have a couple "Vendor" kids this year I heard about that were determined to get lost and it wasn't even noticed they had walked away until they were returned.... control your monkey's

[white trillium]

This was our first year at Twig and we had a great time. 

I would agree with the request for more seating and cold water.

As a volunteer (which, by the way, was great fun!) I would second the request for more shade at the gates (especially the back gate) and water.

Not sure if the cast has changed significantly from past years but I saw a great deal of cast interaction with patrons.

I noticed a few other issues: 
-more merchants back in or leading to the joust and Clan Tartan encampment - it was kind of bare back there
-the Hornbeam stage is back in a little glade, shaded by trees and almost hidden from view...not sure what could be done, but it should be a little more prominent
-more prominent first aid or safety personnel

I think it is a nice little fair, and I like the fact that it isn't just a smaller version of the MNRF - the chance to see other acts relatively close to home is a treat!

[lady serena]

OK, here is the starter list I will add to it as more ideas come up:

First Aid- make sure someone is in the tent to help

Water vendors

Pickle vendors

Chairs and tables

Shade at the gates if at all possible

Better  Signage

Belly dancers- seemed like they weren't putting forth the effort and the drummer was stuck on one beat

Warm/hot scotch eggs and more haggis

Maybe have the Duluth Pipe and drum band

Vendors children- problems with a few shows being ruin because of them having no supervision

Cast interaction- they would act and talk with each other but not with the paying public

Hornbeam stage is out in the woods sorta speak, how to make it more prominent

[winterland]

I agree with most of everyone else posted so I won't repeat them all.

The only addition would be to hand out a map of the layout. There could have been one but we never saw one. It would help out the problem of areas being hidden and to know what all there is to see. Maybe some more signs pointing things of interest out.
   
Maybe some more interaction with the patrons by the workers at the fest. It just could use a little overall livening up if that makes any sense.
Overall it is a great fest and we have told many people about it. 

[SleepyArcher]

I wasn't there this year but I saw DB's pics and was mortified they would pay for the Wacky Chickens but not the Dreg's? WTH???

[Noble Dreg]

...more haggis...

I'll take "Things I will never hear Noble Dreg say for a thousand Alex".

[lady serena]

 The Wrap-Up Meeting for the 2009 Olde World Renaissance Faire

will be held at the Caribou Lake Elementary School, 1 mile East of the Twig Store at Munger Shaw and Industrial Roads.

July 25th, 2009

From 1pm Sharp to 4pm

[lady serena]

Had the meeting, and the most I can say is, I was told that most of the stuff mentioned comes down to volunteer work. For the vendor stuff you have to speak to the vendor and plead your case with them. (Remember I'm just repeating what I was told) We do need more volunteers for the fair!!!!!!! I can't stress the volunteer thing enough, if you could volunteer for one day even that would help immensely. A 2nd weekend for fair is a possibly when the attendance has filled the lots for the weekend and pushed way past what we had this year. We had 3500 attend this year lets fill the parking lots and push the attendance past 4000 next year.