Whats on your wish list for next season? Entertainment, Grounds, Artisan, New Food, other? Can't make any promises but i'm listening.
Well now, Duncan Inches....aka, William Shakespeare.....would be wonderful!! Have missed his wonderful performances!
Sterling used to handout a list of sayings in the Elizabethan language, so visitors could express, learn and understand what was being said to them. I saw many visitors with puzzled looks on their faces, this past season!
Also, a way to buy discounted tickets, without the extra handling charges? I want to buy 10 tickets (5 for each person), would I have to pay handling charge on each one?
A larger, more dazzling royal court. It may not be economically feasible these days but there was once a time when Sterling had, in addition to her majesty, 6 noblewomen, 6 noblemen and the cardinal in attendance. The women were beautiful and dressed in spectacular gowns, the men were incredibly dashing and dressed to match them, and seeing the group together was such a breathtaking spectacle. I miss that.
Seating near the jousting area is the first thing that popped to mind when I thought of what I'd really like to see at Sterling...
Also, M'lord and I were sad to see that the Herbalist was not there, nor was anyone vending high-quality, hand-crafted incense and perfume/essential oils (although, we came closing weekend so perhaps those vendors were there earlier in the season?), two vendors we (usually) always purchase from at Faire.
One thing that we LOVED to see & hope will stay at Sterling was the Fresh Fruit & Jerky cart ~ I am always glad to have a simple, fresh, and healthy option when looking for somewhere to eat ;D
The Postive things about Sterling :
The cast, the staff and crew, and the friendly atmosphere and setting. Don't go changing any of that. :)
Now for things to add to an already wonderful faire to make it even more wonderful -
1. A better map of the shire. I had so many patrons coming up to me this year asking me where things were
****2. more benches in shaded areas. WE really need this Doug. especially near the stages .
***3. More big handicap stalls for us ladies in noble gowns . This is another one that is much, much needed. We need big handicap stalls down at the bottom of the shire for us noble ladies so that we don't always have to be running up the hill to use the handicap privy near the main gate.
4. For Betty the Duck --could we get her a little man made pond or wading pool for her to wade in ?
5. A wooden railing down the middle of cardiac hill to hold on to, or handsome young lads pulling rickshaws to help you up that darn hill !!
6. A list of English sayings and phrases to hang out to the paytrons.
7. A list of the words to the songs that are sung during the day for the playtrons and patrons.
8. Bring back the homemade birch beer that use to sell at faire.
9. Some new rides and attractions. It's starting to get a wee bit repetitive.
*** 10. More Vendors and more of a variety of Vendors. We could use more clothing vendors. We could use more hat vendors. More jewelery and accessory vendors. This is really needed. I knew people who did not come this year because it was the same vendors and shows they have seen before. We realy need more variety.
**** 11. More of a healthy variety of food. Not all of us can eat fried food and turkey legs.
12. More year round events.
13. extending the faire season.
14. Maybe a two day spring or fall faire.
**** 15. A yearly photo book/year book of cast, vendors and playtrons. I would love some nice group photos of everyone. Te cast and staff is like our second family.
16. seats down by the joust feild.
Overall Doug you have done a great job. You took a faire that was on the brink of bankruptcy and back it back to its full glory and we are so grateful !
I was pleased to be able to attend Sterling for the first time this season and had a fabulous time. Being my first visit, I don't know what has changed from past seasons but I really enjoyed what is there now.
The only "issue" we had there was navigating around the grounds. Even with the help of the map, it took us a while to get the lay of the land and we made a few wrong turns (which, depending on where you end up, can mean a very steep climb to get back to where you were!). It would have been helpful to have access to a map in advance so we could figure out where things are before arriving at the fest.
Could the map be made available for downloading from the website? The schedule was on the website but not the map. Having both would make it possible to plan your day better and be a big help for people like me who don't visit often enough to learn where everything is.
That's my suggestion--thanks for asking! I will definitely plan on a return visit to your very fine festival!
Oh yes, Lady Amy and Bob reminded me of something I really miss...the old programs. I liked it when they were small and simply colored like a real play program (black and white, IMO more period than the big, blazing, newspaper-size, full color advertisements). It had a cast list which I loved for knowing the cast of characters filling out the town, a brief welcome note which helped the patrons to know the name of the town, the year, and a brief description of the period, a list of Elizabethan sayings, and of course the map. I think these old programs helped and encouraged the patrons to get involved, and made them feel like they were a part of the action. I have actually saved 1 program every year since I began attending and I favor the old, simpler programs. I have thrown out the big, full color ones.