I'm putting my Safety Services hat on for a second because I've been asked a very important question that I know the answer to.
PARKING!!
Because of Osha regulations absolutely positively NO ONE is to park down in the pit this year. If you park down there your car will be gone by the time you get back to it. Don't be dumb.
Parking will be back behind the campground in what I assume is the cleared out area behind the Tortuga stage but don't quote me.
YOU CANNOT WALK TO SITE FROM THE NEW PARKING AREA. YOU MUST SHUTTLE! The shuttle will run to C gate and B gate ONLY! I do not as of yet know how long it will run on a daily basis and when they start on Friday or stop on Sunday. Also filed under Not My Problem. (Wow, not being on nights means a lot of stuff gets filed under NMP)
I don't know how many people can fit back there or what they intend to do if they overfill. That gets filed under "Not My Problem"
Parking passes: unless you have one of the spanky I Can Park Anywhere passes just assume you are going to be parking in the new parking area. As for Friday night unloading on site, well I am no longer night crew and this too gets filed under Not My Problem.
PASSES!!!
If you are a participant and you do not A) have a CURRENT plastic pass or B) you use a paper pass daily, you MUST go to C gate or B gate to get a paper pass. Or go to B gate and get a new plastic one. SS is cracking down on people going through the gates without having a pass. You will be asked to go AROUND the outside of the site to C gate or B gate to get a paper pass. It is best advised just to start your day at one of those places. This INCLUDES FIRST SATURDAY!. We will not accept the excuse of "well they haven't given me one yet." Go get a paper pass and try again. If you are using a paper pass and lose it at some point during the day you had better boogie back to B gate and get a new one before the end of the day or you WILL go out through the front gate and that will suck for you.
This crackdown is brought to you by the letter M for MANAGEMENT and the letter E for we are just the ENFORCERS, don't be jerks and tell your friends not to be jerks either.
/SS hat off
Thanks Ness! :-*
Can we get from parking to the campground?
I don't honestly know at this point, but if the new parking area is where I think it is then yes you should be able to get to the campground from the parking area and vice versa.
That is too bad they can't let us park in the pit. Kinda seems like a waste of space.
OOohhhHHH I wonder if this means the busses won't be cutting (roaring) through the campground in the morning?! That would be way awesome to sleep in past shuttle bus o'clock!!
Quote from: Random Girl on August 17, 2011, 01:32:50 PM
I don't honestly know at this point, but if the new parking area is where I think it is then yes you should be able to get to the campground from the parking area and vice versa.
As long as I can drop my stuff off, and get back to the campground after parking, I have no issues with the change in parking location. I was one of those people that didn't mind parking in the pit. The ground was much more level, and with people directing us on where to park, I was never blocked in by asshats.
Quote from: MissBubu on August 17, 2011, 03:08:05 PM
Quote from: Random Girl on August 17, 2011, 01:32:50 PM
I don't honestly know at this point, but if the new parking area is where I think it is then yes you should be able to get to the campground from the parking area and vice versa.
As long as I can drop my stuff off, and get back to the campground after parking, I have no issues with the change in parking location. I was one of those people that didn't mind parking in the pit. The ground was much more level, and with people directing us on where to park, I was never blocked in by asshats.
I agree. I didn't mind parking in the pit either. Hopefully, this situation will be set up similar.
The reason for this is that OSHA (they regulate workplace safety if you weren't aware) has decreed that no one is allowed to walk in the pit without a hardhat on. This does not mean that you can park in the pit if you bring your own hard hat (this was actually brought up in the SS meeting).
Waste of space sure but I totally get the reasoning behind it.
Quote from: Random Girl on August 17, 2011, 04:02:51 PM
The reason for this is that OSHA (they regulate workplace safety if you weren't aware) has decreed that no one is allowed to walk in the pit without a hardhat on. This does not mean that you can park in the pit if you bring your own hard hat (this was actually brought up in the SS meeting).
Waste of space sure but I totally get the reasoning behind it.
Dang I was actually just thinking that. I have a safety vest, hearing protection, and the steal toe shoes to complete the safety gear, and if need be I have a respirator I can put on and somewhere I am sure I have safety goggles *I totally love that work provides me with all the cool looking ppe*
Thanks for the update. I hope that the MRF office will put out something more definitive for us... as wow... nothing like leaving that till the last minute, since as cast I think maybe they would tell us before we all just park down there without thinking...
I agree with previous statements....I don't care where I park. I do hope they have someone directing people where to park to avoid issues....but we will have to wait til Saturday to find that out
Quote from: auntiegiggles on August 17, 2011, 04:25:01 PM
I agree with previous statements....I don't care where I park. I do hope they have someone directing people where to park to avoid issues....but we will have to wait til Saturday to find that out
*praying for a miracle* LOL
I guess we can't get on site at 3am when we are off work and able to...
This will not work well. I hope they figure something out, like a path behind Witchwood or something.
Does make a certain amount of sense with the potential danger of falling rocks from the walls of the pit.
Quote from: William_MacKean on August 17, 2011, 06:12:21 PM
I guess we can't get on site at 3am when we are off work and able to...
This will not work well. I hope they figure something out, like a path behind Witchwood or something.
As of yet no one knows what the shuttle schedule will be. Speculating like this is only going to cause more people to freak out uneccessarily. No one thought parking in the pit would work out either and most people liked it in the end.
Quote from: Random Girl on August 18, 2011, 01:59:27 PM
Quote from: William_MacKean on August 17, 2011, 06:12:21 PM
I guess we can't get on site at 3am when we are off work and able to...
This will not work well. I hope they figure something out, like a path behind Witchwood or something.
As of yet no one knows what the shuttle schedule will be. Speculating like this is only going to cause more people to freak out uneccessarily. No one thought parking in the pit would work out either and most people liked it in the end.
]
This.
Sent from The Droid... The one you were looking for...
I am sure they will think of something. The pit was actually kind of nice. A bit longer walk, but my favorite...... IT WAS FLAT! for the most part at least... my baby car really hates the nasty badger holes up top. Oh and water drained from it better than the mud up top.
So I can hope that since I heard they were working on making it into a parking lot as some point that maybe we will like it even better other than the inconvience of not being able to walk from parking to site..... which has to not be true, I am sure you could walk, but it might be a major hike around instead of a nice straight line through....
Their own fault for not releasing information until the week before the run. Don't want a panic? Inform your people! Get your stuff done in time! Communicate! (Which is why I adore you, our awesome communicator!)
I don't care where I park, but being FORCED to take a damn shuttle is absolutely ridiculous. What if I need something from my car between shifts? The shuttle takes forever! I never ONCE used it for the pit -- there was no need! Looks like I shall simply figure out my own situation. It's really not that hard. To hell with the shuttle.
Oh, and OSHA is a complete joke. Seriously, do some research. A complete joke. They waste time worrying about things that don't matter (hard hats to walk through a dormant gravel pit? please! it's more dangerous crossing the street in Minneapolis) yet they do nothing about situations that actually call for their services. I hate them. Everyone in my industry hates them from the top on down. They're nothing but bullies. They should be disbanded due to lack of effectiveness.
Regardless, once I'm in the gates with a nice mug of ale, I shall forget all about this... until I need to go to my car. lol
MAF has a history of doing things without getting permits from local inspectors (the Secret Garden trail), so it's not surprising that OSHA might be alerted by someone. And if you look at the walls of the pit it's not hard to imagine a occasional random rock falling. Mainly I have to agree it's:
Quote
Their own fault for not releasing information until the week before the run. Don't want a panic? Inform your people!
(http://cache2.allpostersimages.com/p/LRG/37/3722/KGTAF00Z/posters/keep-calm-and-carry-on.jpg)
The shuttles have worked better than many people expected.
Quote from: groomporter on August 18, 2011, 07:57:13 PM
(http://cache2.allpostersimages.com/p/LRG/37/3722/KGTAF00Z/posters/keep-calm-and-carry-on.jpg)
The shuttles have worked better than many people expected.
^ There's a frood who really knows where his towel is.
Quote from: William_MacKean on August 18, 2011, 05:33:37 PM
Their own fault for not releasing information until the week before the run. Don't want a panic? Inform your people! Get your stuff done in time! Communicate! (Which is why I adore you, our awesome communicator!)
The thing is you and everyone else are acting like this is a new thing. Welcome to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival where nothing is ever communicated or completed in a timely fashion. It is just the same way as it is every year so stop freaking out. You'd think after all these years as a participant you'd understand that by now. Panicking is not going to help you and it will only add fuel to the ever growing fire. If you are going to be so upset every year about some ridiculous thing they didn't do then don't work there. Either resign yourself to the fact that first weekend you will be running blind on something or don't come. Freaking out! Will accomplish! Nothing!! ZOMGWTFBBQ!!
Panicking does serve one purpose to release all that nervous energy? *ducks*
That being said... yeah it is one of the only things that doesn't change every year is that something every year changes without us being told. At least now you don't have to deal with the panicking crabby people tonight! You get to enjoy the sun and the inevitable burn that goes with it :)
~Saphire
trouble maker without making real trouble extrodinare *I never cause real trouble, but one of these days my sense of humor is going to get me hung by my wings from a tree...*
:P
Quote from: saphire_glade on August 19, 2011, 09:47:50 AM
Panicking does serve one purpose to release all that nervous energy? *ducks*
That being said... yeah it is one of the only things that doesn't change every year is that something every year changes without us being told. At least now you don't have to deal with the panicking crabby people tonight! You get to enjoy the sun and the inevitable burn that goes with it :)
~Saphire
trouble maker without making real trouble extrodinare *I never cause real trouble, but one of these days my sense of humor is going to get me hung by my wings from a tree...*
:P
Yeah but at least panic about something you can actually deal with. Like OMG I still have these 90 bazillion bits of costuming to complete, or CRAP! It's raining and my tent isn't up yet.
Quote from: Random Girl on August 19, 2011, 10:33:03 AM
Quote from: saphire_glade on August 19, 2011, 09:47:50 AM
Panicking does serve one purpose to release all that nervous energy? *ducks*
That being said... yeah it is one of the only things that doesn't change every year is that something every year changes without us being told. At least now you don't have to deal with the panicking crabby people tonight! You get to enjoy the sun and the inevitable burn that goes with it :)
~Saphire
trouble maker without making real trouble extrodinare *I never cause real trouble, but one of these days my sense of humor is going to get me hung by my wings from a tree...*
:P
Yeah but at least panic about something you can actually deal with. Like OMG I still have these 90 bazillion bits of costuming to complete, or CRAP! It's raining and my tent isn't up yet.
LOL... true... which reminds me. I should go panic about my lack of new corset soon.
2011 Parking Rules
There is a new participant parking area for 2011
· No Parking in the Pit
· New Large Grassy Area behind the campground
· 4 Shuttles in the morning
· 2 shuttles during the day
· 4 shuttles at night
· There will be 3 shuttle stops in the parking lot
· Buses will run to C-gate. They will also stop at B-gate and First Aid if requested.
· The Parking lot will be lighted at night and have Privies in them.
· There is an opportunity to walk, but we prefer that everyone takes a shuttle for your own safety.
General Information:
•Everyone must put their parking pass in their windshield on the driver's side.
•Participant parking will be located in the designated parking area.
•Everyone with Green and Red parking passes will be affected.
•A limited amount of special passes will be given to people with medical conditions or special circumstances (distributed by your Department Head).
•It is important that you follow directional signs at all times.
•Participants not following the rules will have their vehicle towed at their expense.How this will work:
•Participants will be required to enter the grounds through Hwy 41.
•Hwy 41 will be a Participant Entrance only.
•Participant badges will be checked at the entrance of Hwy 41.
•There will be a parking attendant and a security guard at the entrance of the designated parking area who will be checking your parking pass and provide directions as needed.
•Those participants with Green On-site driving passes will be allowed to drop off whatever they need to on site, but then will be directed to the designated parking area.
•For those of you who are parked in the designated parking area, there will be shuttle buses that run to C-gate.
•Shuttle busses will run from 6:45AM -10:00PM on Saturday
•Shuttle busses will run from 7:00AM-10:00PM on all of the other days that we are open.
•Participants must park in the designated parking area and cannot park in the main lot or in the specialized parking lot without prior approval.
•Please remember that we will tow your vehicle
Please be nice and friendly with the Parking attendants and the Security Staff. They did not make these rules-they are just facilitating and enforcing these necessary rules.
Sounds like it is similar to parking in the pit.
Ness,
Since there really isn't anyone else to ask. Will it possible to drop crap/supplies off in the morning at our booth, and then swing back to the new parking area if you have a red pass?
We were able to do that a coupleof times last year without any issues that I know of.
t literally is a park, unload, then dash to the parking area.
Quote from: Kiss-me-Kate on August 19, 2011, 04:47:24 PM
Sounds like it is similar to parking in the pit.
Ness,
Since there really isn't anyone else to ask. Will it possible to drop crap/supplies off in the morning at our booth, and then swing back to the new parking area if you have a red pass?
We were able to do that a coupleof times last year without any issues that I know of.
t literally is a park, unload, then dash to the parking area.
Let's hope so. Wouldn't want to be hauling a crockpot, cooler full of food, beverages, garb, photography equipment, and what-have-you on a shuttle.
I agree, although you learn to lighten your load and to what is important. My $3.00 Jansport backpack (brand new!) from Good Will was the best Fest investment I made since purchasing a bodice cooler and my leather mug.
As for crock pot contents, I make mine and throw the contents into a large zip lock bag(s) since the crock pot is already there with the liners for us to use. Easier to transport. Oh, and I have slave labor to assist too. ;D
I also dropped off a lot at the booth already last weekend.
The walk from the parking area is a bit precarious as you near campground, but it was not a completely bad situation.
Anyone take the shuttle? Probably not the campground users.
It worked just fine in my experience this weekend. I'm just worried about getting in/out of it if we have some long heavy rains.
Quote from: William_MacKean on August 21, 2011, 09:13:28 PM
The walk from the parking area is a bit precarious as you near campground, but it was not a completely bad situation.
Anyone take the shuttle? Probably not the campground users.
I only used the shuttle once, and that was from C-gate to the parking lot on Sunday to get my vehicle. I had no problems with dropping things off in the campground and on site on Friday night, and no problems on Sunday getting back into the campground from the parking lot, or from the campground up to site to pick up things and people there. It wasn't that bad of a walk from the parking lot to the campground on either Friday night or Saturday night.
Acutally it was pretty nice in the light. I got down to site near 11pm, and I did get a little confused in a few spots, but it was dark and I can get lost in my backyard. Took a bit to find the road to the campground, but I made it there pretty easily. My little car only nearly bottomed out once *I drive a mini mini van* It was a quick flat walk, it was lit well enough by the moon, and people keep their cars in a mostly straight line with ample space. I was pretty happy with it.
I didn't mind the parking situation either. Saturday the bus situation was horrible. 15-20 minute wait for the bus. But Sunday was much improved with the buses only about 5 minutes behind each other. I may need to find a place to change before getting on the bus in the future. The aisles are exactly hoop skirt friendly. :D
I think I'll buy an extra bag of cat litter to put in the van in case the participant parking at fest gets too muddy. I also sent this to MAF as a suggestion:
In case we have heavy rains during the run and things get muddy I'm wondering if it might help to get 4 or 6 55-gallon barrels of sand/fine gravel with some cheap buckets in them and station them around the new parking area for traction if participants start getting stuck
I thought it was fine, too. A bit of a CF Saturday morning with traffic backed up to 41 when I arrived, but in general it worked out.
A friend of mine did email the powers that be, however, and suggested that it might be safer if they removed the "Form Two Lanes" sign when they are letting people enter off of Hwy 41! :D
So that means I better keep my tow strap hooked up on the wet weekends on my truck.
Yes, Tarac. My little Oldsmobile (Betsy) would appreciate it. :-*
Oh, and GP thanks for mentioning kitty litter. It reminded me to pick up a jug for my trunk. It is better for traction than swear words.
Although sand would probably be better since cat litter is usually clay based once it disolves it's not gonna do much.
Well, now that the first weekend is over, I must say that the situation is no biggie. I have yet to use the shuttle -- I find it much easier to walk. Several times, I saw large groups waiting for the shuttle. I just walked and was inside the gates before the shuttle had even showed up to pick up those folks. In total that walking time, even from the farthest parking space, is less than five minutes. From the shuttle pick up it's about three minutes.
Huzzah! :D