What's up for 2009?

[Random Girl]

Here are the rules to the best of my knowledge:
Orange Pass: Park in the pit straight away.  Do not pass go, do not collect $200 (you may drop your stuff in the campground first but that's really it)
Green Pass: You may drive up top or on site in order to drop off your stuff but you then must immediately drive yourself down to the pit and stay there.
Pink Pass: You are the high and mighty privledged one. You may park in a designated area up top.  You are the envy of all around you.  You win at life.

A) Yell at Nyte until she gets you one
B) You are relegated to the pit.  Sorry babe.  If you come in 41 gate and have a plastic pass that is where you go because to come in the 41 gate you have to be an employee and all employees have to park in the pit.  Don't you love my circle logic.

*snerk*  OK, this made me laugh.  Thank you for keeping some humour in this confusing situation.  However, there is no mention for those of us sad and lowly folk that work at fest but have no parking pass of any color, hue or tint.  I don't get to pass go thereby not collecting the afore mentioned $200, I don't get drop stuff off up top or be in the pit, and no one is envious of me and I basically suck at life.    Umm, your advice?  That is, as far as parking goes. 
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[DeadBishop]

So, am I to understand that if you have no parking pass whatsoever, but you DO have a site pass (I.D.), that will get you to the pit parking as well?

[groomporter]

And what about people who pick up a paper day pass?

[William_MacKean]

Since no patron in their right mind would park in the pit, it could be well assumed that anyone claiming to be an employee would be.

Of course, that breaks the security code all together as a thief could make just such a claim.

[Noble Dreg]

Ok, how 'bout we make a game of it...We all "steam-punk" it up a bit and play "Journey to the Center of the Earth" as we drive our cars into the deep cravase' that is the pit!  We could put a pendulum at the bottom!  Perhaps MRFDOT could make up signs warning of "larger than expected pot-holes".  Start a rumor that Jimmy Hoffa's burried there.  Open a pub at the bottom called "hells tavern" or the "arm-pit".  I don't know, just know it is what it is and I'm gonna have to deal with it.

[Muffin]

Ok, how 'bout we make a game of it...We all "steam-punk" it up a bit and play "Journey to the Center of the Earth" as we drive our cars into the deep cravase' that is the pit!  We could put a pendulum at the bottom!  Perhaps MRFDOT could make up signs warning of "larger than expected pot-holes".  Start a rumor that Jimmy Hoffa's burried there.  Open a pub at the bottom called "hells tavern" or the "arm-pit".  I don't know, just know it is what it is and I'm gonna have to deal with it.

I vote for calling the pub the Arm-Pit!!! 

[Charlotte Rowan]

I live about 2 miles from the State Fair, and I did just notice yesterday that there are designated off-site Employee Lots. So they shuttle their employees in; we are not alone.

[groomporter]

On a slightly more positive note.
One thing to keep in mind is that Scott County may eventually force them to reestablish more direct drive-on access to the site for both fire trucks and ambulances. I can imagine an ambulance driver's response would be if he has to drive the bumpy dirt road around the pit to get to the campground or on to site through the Witchwood gate.

It might not relieve the parking situation sooner, but it may force the mining company to replace our lost access roads sooner than they might otherwise.

[William_MacKean]

I live about 2 miles from the State Fair, and I did just notice yesterday that there are designated off-site Employee Lots. So they shuttle their employees in; we are not alone.

I live on Hwy 280 as well.  I bussed my volunteer arse in last night, too!  Of course, I didn't have an armload of props and costumes and the kitchen has plenty of storage for stuff.

So it is not apples : apples, but you are right!

[Muffin]

Just pulled this from the MNRF participant group...

I hope they are not serious!! this just.. well sucks.... some accommodations have to be made, it can't be all take take take.. I sincerely hope this information is not correct.. otherwise it will be an awful lot of trips back and forth to the pit to schlep your stuff for camping.....  not good............

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I first want to thank everyone for the many e-mails of support and encouragement.  You guys make my day!

Secondly, I did want to address a question that I've received from more than one person: access to the campground.  The directions that I have been given are very specific, unless you have a pass that allows you onto site, you will not be able to drive to the campground to unload your equipment and then return to the quarry to park.  Jac, correct me if I am wrong, but there is a path from the quarry to the campground, so you should be able to bring in your equipment to the campground without having to take it up on the shuttle and then back down.

That said, it's my understanding that the rules may be tweaked as time goes on, so this may or may not change.  I don't know, and I don't want to give anyone the impression that it absolutely will change, since it's out of my hands.  Keep an ear out for news on this and other updates on the parking situation from your department head.

That's all the information that I have on the topic, so if you have other questions, please contact the main office.

Also, since we are having a three day show this weekend, I have been told that everyone will need to remove their car from the quarry no later than midnight on Monday, not midnight Sunday as it would be on a regular weekend. 

I wish I had better news for a lot of people, but I hope that this clears up some questions.

-Megan Culverhouse
Safety Services Answers Chick & Tote Schlepper

[William_MacKean]

Still no word on where those living in the campground for the run are supposed to park.  They can't park in the pit over the week.  They can't park near horse gate anymore.  They can't park in the patron lot.  Do they park in the campground during the week?

[Random Girl]

Still no word on where those living in the campground for the run are supposed to park.  They can't park in the pit over the week.  They can't park near horse gate anymore.  They can't park in the patron lot.  Do they park in the campground during the week?

I've already covered this twice.  From Friday at 5pm to Sunday at 12pm everyone must park in the pit.  After those times they are completely welcome to park up top.  If they are caught parking up there from Friday-Sunday they will be towed if we cannot locate them to move.

[MissBubu]

Any specific reason we aren't allowed to drop stuff off in the campground on Friday night?

[Muffin]

Any specific reason we aren't allowed to drop stuff off in the campground on Friday night?

That's what I'm wondering too... I totally get that we have to park in the pit, but why in the heck can't we go to the campground, drop stuff off, and then go back and park the car... Same as we did when we were parking up top...

It's an awful lot of stuff (for Bacardi) to schlep from the pit....  

[Random Girl]

Any specific reason we aren't allowed to drop stuff off in the campground on Friday night?

That's what I'm wondering too... I totally get that we have to park in the pit, but why in the heck can't we go to the campground, drop stuff off, and then go back and park the car... Same as we did when we were parking up top...

It's an awful lot of stuff (for Bacardi) to schlep from the pit....  

Because you might be sneaky and park up top.  That's why.  I'm not saying you will but that is the reason.  I have a 2 wheeled dolly incase anyone wants to borrow it for this crap.