Has anyone been to the website lately and noticed the changes for faire this year?
http://www.michrenfest.com/ Looks like its back to 7 weeks? but the other way
Dates say Aug 22 to Oct 4th
I noticed that. It has me utterly confused as to what dates to plan my trips to visit. I guess I should just stick with the basic, no?
Of course I find this out after convincing my SIL to change the family reunion from the 15th to the 22nd it wouldn't conflict with opening weekend. :sigh:
They have also changed the Feast of Fantasy as well. Instead of two per day they are only having one. I was going to have my wedding ceremony at 2:30 and have my guests join us at the 4:00 Feast. I was informed by the minister that things had changed but he wasn't sure to what. I called and spoke with Rebecca and she told me that they were only going to have the Feast at 12:30. So now the ceremony is much earlier.
I was looking at the site and on the general info page. If you look at it you will see two different schedules.... one for 8 weeks and one for 7 weeks ???. Check it out http://www.michrenfest.com/generalinfo.html .
By the looks of it some of the info on there like the theme weekends is still 2008 information,Check the header at the top of the pages some say 2008.They usally take some time updateing the website.
Confirmed today by calling their offices - they are starting a week later per the office Aug 22-23 and ending October 3-4.
8/22-23 Wild Days and Amazing Knights
8/29-30 Highland Fling
9/5-7 Buccaneer Beer Fest
9/12-13 Wonders of the World
9/19-20 Pirates
9/26-27 Harvest Huzzah
10/3-4 Sweet Endings
And I also heard that the pub that Hollywood built to film some of the scenes in (built in the parking area) has been moved to Area 51 as a pirates tavern. Does anyone know if this is true?
Quote from: max and kate on May 05, 2009, 04:11:49 PM
And I also heard that the pub that Hollywood built to film some of the scenes in (built in the parking area) has been moved to Area 51 as a pirates tavern. Does anyone know if this is true?
They moved that thing? Dang...
Jon.
I just got off of the phone with someone at the office (sounded like an older woman..didn't bother to get her name). She said that they couldn't run for eight weeks because of "legal reasons". She didn't go into detail. She also said that they decided to move the start date back "because of the Michigan weather" and the timing of "other events in Michigan". Apparently they think that chances are better for nice weather in early October than in mid August.
They sound like pretty flimsy excuses to me. Really, they can add an extra weekend at the drop of a hat because Hollywood wants another weekend to film (or because of the rained out weekend depending on which story you prefer) but all of a sudden in the last couple of weeks there are "legal reasons" that keep them from doing it again this year? And as far as the weather, one week either way wouldn't have avoided that monsoon we had last year.
I also asked about the feast being reduced to once a day and she gave me the old "...in these tough economic times..." excuse. That's the only excuse that I can buy at all.
I just don't understand why they have to start messing with the dates like that. I'm bummed out that we don't get that extra weekend. I was really excited about it.
umm dont they own the festival faire grounds??? so i dont understand the legal reasons.. unless it has something to do with insurance... but still does not make much sense.. i'm just gonna chock it up as cause they dont feel like 8 weekends this year.
It'd be cool if they added a weekend after the 4th of october and run a little longer into the fall, but that'll never happen. The only legal reasons I can figure is maybe they have ordinances about the noise comign from the faire, but really it's in the middle of nowhere, and crowd control/number limit of fairground capacity/ or how long it can run has been shortened by the city , how much police coverage they need. Who knows these are all excuses I would use if I was just trying to shut people up about another weekend. I wish they'd run our faire, just as long as Ohio does. But, different states different laws. But still can't wait for faire season. Just bought some new blades that are gonna go great with my garb.
I wonder if the legal issues might have to do with contracts with vendors and entertainers. That seems more likely to me.
Quote from: Poldugarian Warrior on May 08, 2009, 12:19:40 AM
It'd be cool if they added a weekend after the 4th of october and run a little longer into the fall, but that'll never happen. The only legal reasons I can figure is maybe they have ordinances about the noise comign from the faire, but really it's in the middle of nowhere, and crowd control/number limit of fairground capacity/ or how long it can run has been shortened by the city , how much police coverage they need. Who knows these are all excuses I would use if I was just trying to shut people up about another weekend. I wish they'd run our faire, just as long as Ohio does. But, different states different laws. But still can't wait for faire season. Just bought some new blades that are gonna go great with my garb.
One problem with running the faire that far into October is daylight. It gets dark very quickly... or should I say it gets
DARK very quickly after closing. Since there are still a lot of staff, crafters, cast and patrons on site after close, it makes it a bit dangerous to try walking across site when you can barely see your hand in front of your face. There is also the Michigan weather to think about. It's not out of the realm of imagination for SNOW to happen in October. I am told that one of the first years the festival ran, they were snowed on in mid-October.
Yes, MIRF is in the country, but there are still a lot of people who live close by-- close enough to be affected by the noise, traffic and other various elements that the Festival attracts. It's not a stretch to imagine either --or both- of the involved townships (Groveland Twp & Holly Twp.) putting their foot down as to the duration of the run.
Quote from: Poldugarian Warrior on May 08, 2009, 12:19:40 AM
The only legal reasons I can figure is maybe they have ordinances about the noise comign from the faire, but really it's in the middle of nowhere, and crowd control/number limit of fairground capacity/ or how long it can run has been shortened by the city , how much police coverage they need.
Sure, I can see how there could be some various issues like that but then how did they get away with tacking on that extra weekend last year and seemingly doing it on a whim? And then they've had it on their website for a while that it was going to be 8 weeks and then suddenly it's back to 7 and the whole thing is pushed back a week. It just seems like there is something else going on and I don't think it has anything to do with the weather. It seemed a little shady that they woman kept adding more excuses as I spoke to her. I think if I'd stayed on the phone with her for another five minutes I could have gotten a few more excuses. And if they decided not to have the 8th weekend then why not leave everything the same as it was and just cut the October date? That would have made much more sense.
Don't get me wrong, I'll still be there every weekend eating turkey legs.....I just can't help myself.
Our late start may be because Minnesota isn't starting till then.
MIRF has always run cocurrent to MNRF, for cost saving reasons since MIRF has been part of Mid-America Faires (I don't know how that works, but that's been the consistent story through the years), so if MNRF is going from Aug 22 to Oct 4, that's what MIRF doing.
I don't doubt that extra weekend was allowed because of the movie -- Michigan has been really courting Hollywood to come here to make films, so it's not a stretch to believe that things with local government were 'arranged' to allow the extra weekend to happen.
Of course, all this is just conjecture.....so lets just rejoice in the fact that MIRF is comming up soon, and be happy that the trials and tribulations and annoyances from last years brush with Hollywierd is in the PAST. ;D
Hey, lets all just show up on August 15th anyway and see if they let us in! If not we'll just have a ren fest tailgate party in the parking lot!
Quote from: Black Armor on May 09, 2009, 12:39:47 PM
Hey, lets all just show up on August 15th anyway and see if they let us in! If not we'll just have a ren fest tailgate party in the parking lot!
We drove by the grounds this afternoon and it was locked up. It was also locked up last weekend when we drove by... But you can use the "other" driveway to get in too. ;D We're always ready for a tailgater!
Jon.
Hmmmm guess I better change some camping reservations.
Yer right bookwench it does get dark in October, but Ohio gets away with it. They close a little earlier each day which coincides with the darkness. You may lose an hour of daylight and time at faire, but they'd still be open longer through the season so for that hour you lost in a day you gain another whole day/weekend at fair. And the traffic, yes it can be a hassle for those living there, I have problems even getting throught it to attend at times. So I can see their point. But, they should get their act together.
Well what ever the reason, I'm just happy faire is on it's way!!!!
Right on! flidais, let's get on with the faire season. And it's just good to know it's happening again. So far as we know it we do have some months to go.
Alright... to clarify - The extra weekend last year was added on for 2 reasons and had 1 bad aftermath.
They added the week because of the rain weekend we had ; the loss of vendor sales and the filming. If you have your (local) vendors crying for more sales and the film asking for more crowd shots on a nice day, you see no reason not to keep it open 2 more days. However...
The vendors and performers that are not local had a bit of an issue with this as they had contracts to be in a different place by 3-4 days after the initial close of MiRF. This caused quite a stir with many acts and vendors. If you were there on the last weekend, you know what I am talking about. Many of the acts were second rate players called for a performance in the last minute. The vendors pulled 80% of their stock ( so they would still have a 'booth' present, but they could still make prior arrangements ).
The last weekend, aside from the wonderful people that make Hollygrove the place that I've loved for 20 years, was barren. Even the cast party was cold and dark ( I still had a great time, but it was COLD! ).
As a local player, I LOVE the extra weekend. I understand many of my full-timers, however, when they say that it messed with the big picture. Besides... October is too cold. Don't make me spend more money on garb and buy a thick cloak. I spend too much already. ;D
Quote from: sealion on May 08, 2009, 08:10:43 AM
I wonder if the legal issues might have to do with contracts with vendors and entertainers. That seems more likely to me.
I agree Sealion. The extra weekend would have been awesome, but what can you do? MiRF is still one of the best faires around! Our queen is the most regal of any I've met, the regualar cast/vendors/patrons are absolutely the best, and with all the legal issues the management faces, let's just be happy we have a faire and have fun! I had expressed my issues with all the politcal correctness last year (remember the pickle vendor fiasco?), but I challenge any of the whiners to take over and do a better a job (and I'd bet they can't).
I'd gladly take a whack at running it for a fraction of the money they make on admission alone.....250,000 patrons a season X $18.95 a ticket puts it at what, close to 5 million?
Right on, but man it probably is quite a daunting task, especially for us whom really like to go to faire to get away from work. The money would be nice, but then faire wouldn't seem like the great getaway it has become. And as mentioned in a thread about weapon policy, whether they allow them in or not, the faire has always been great. I'll attend as always. And if we get an extra weekend great if not well, then I guess that's just the way it is.
Quote from: Poldugarian Warrior on May 10, 2009, 11:31:26 PM
Yer right bookwench it does get dark in October, but Ohio gets away with it. They close a little earlier each day which coincides with the darkness. You may lose an hour of daylight and time at faire, but they'd still be open longer through the season so for that hour you lost in a day you gain another whole day/weekend at fair.
The new festival by Frankenmuth is adding lighting to their paths, by either torches or electric I am not sure yet, but they don't close until 6 pm and in order to make it easier for everyone (because they are in the woods) they are having the torches and/or electric lights added this year. So merchants can stay open until close AND it is safer for EVERYONE involved.
And that means I can take more/better pictures later without a blazing flash in everyone's face. :P
Jon.
Thanks for the update Dark Wolf. It seems as if that little faire is on the right track, hope it gets more acts and keeps growing it's in such a nice place, sort of like Mayfaire's setup.
Quote from: Poldugarian Warrior on June 09, 2009, 10:43:00 PM
Thanks for the update Dark Wolf. It seems as if that little faire is on the right track, hope it gets more acts and keeps growing it's in such a nice place, sort of like Mayfaire's setup.
It already has more acts. The Gutterpups, Connor Savage, Lady Liddell, TCN, Thrust & Perry, Zingara, SCA, Tweedler, and MORE!!!
VOICE Inc. of Saginaw (a non profit organization for the hearing impaired) is our Beer, Wine and possibly MEAD vendor!
There are a lot of great additions to this little faire this year.
Quote from: flidais on May 15, 2009, 10:21:24 PM
Well what ever the reason, I'm just happy faire is on it's way!!!!
You are so right beautiful Lady!!! We will be walking through those gates soon, whatever the date ;D
Barb and I had prior commitments last year, so we never made it to Mid-Michigan. It is definitely on our to-do list this year.
Same here for us we will be there!
Quote from: Carl and Donna on June 10, 2009, 03:03:06 PM
Same here for us we will be there!
Oh crap! If they'll let you two hooligans in, maybe we'll pass!! ;D Just kidding, we'll look forward to a few more days to hang with you guys, Huzzah!
We may be able to attend also.
Midland Highland Festival for me this weekend.
Maybe GLRF and KHRF ;D
It's good to hear Gutterpups is back together. And I enjoyed the last SCA demonstrations, very cool. My works going into another shift bid, so I'll have to pick and choose carefully which days to take off for faire since I may lose my weekends off, and I can only use so many sick-days/personal days before they start writing me up for them. I hate these bids. But, nonetheless, I'll take a few days off because, come on it's faire. Work will always be there. Screw work.
I like having a later run. It's nice to not sweat to death and as for light that is what tea candle lanterns are for. My best fest memory is of Maryland closing weekend. The guard came to the pub sing and escorted the royalty to the front gates. It turned into a candle lit parade. So beautiful.
That sounds quite lovely. I agree about the cooler temps with the later dates.
The cooler temps are always a welcome feature of the season. I can stand the heat, but it takes some getting used to.