Changing Rooms at Faires' Gates?

[Carl Heinz]

How many would be needed?  Some folks take a LOT of time getting into costume.  A changing room, tent, whatever, would probably mean that those wishing to use them would probably not climb into the under layers until they got there.  I suspect that time spent in a changing room would be fairly extensive and the irritation of waiting for one would offset the advantage of having one.  For me, another irritation is folks using the disabled privies for changing rooms.  Grump Grump!!

Don't know if I've become jaded over the years, but I've got better things to do than spy on folks changing in the parking lot.  If there's a Rennie Code, I'm sure parking lot spying would be contrary to it     In our case, we're unloading Sparky/Lightning and getting him set up as the focus for our attention.  And he has no modesty.  (BTW, Lightning now has his own gate pass    )

Back in Agoura days, it was 80 miles from door to door.  In my case I went in shirt and trousers and added the rest after we got there.  Wife and daughters found that hoops could be positioned under the outer layers after arrival.

If we're traveling several hours, we generally get there the day before and leave the day after.  That way we can enjoy the show instead of being stressed by the travel.  These days, we use the RV.  In the past, ye olde Super 8 or Motel 6 sufficed.

I'd rather events spend money on better shows than on changing rooms.  I'm not aware of any clothing vendor that doesn't have changing rooms for new acquisitions.

[gypsylakat]

I also was thinking, they don't necessarily need to be "private" but perhaps just have 2 long structures one for the boys and one for the girls,

[jcbanner]

If going through the effort of constructing a building for changing rooms, it doesn't take much more effort to at least add curtains separating out individual stalls.

[Aiacha]

I didn't see it mentioned, so I'm going to play devil's advocate.  If you put these out in the parking lot, you'll need additional security to monitor them.  It's an easily accessable, semi-private place in the middle of the general public.  You'll have problems with vandalism, drug use and worse.  I'm sure something like this would drive up insurance rates.  What happens when someone heads out to their car to grab some clothes to change in the middle of the day.  No one is in the parking lot; there may be no one within earshot. 

Sure, it's a risk that we all take, and usually nothing happens.  But if something does happen, then the faire could easily find themselves at the pointy end of a lawsuit, providing "opportunity".

[/buzzkill]

[Lady L]

I see your point, Aiacha, but we already have pavillions up front, but not in the parking lot. I don't know if they have problems with vandalism, etc, but they have been there for quite a few years.

Would tents be a lot different than the porta pots that are already out in the parking lot? I don't see any security for those.

[Aiacha]

Would tents be a lot different than the porta pots that are already out in the parking lot? I don't see any security for those.

Size, really.  No room to do anything in a porta-castle.  Plus, if the pavillions and porta-castles are near the front, you have foot traffic as a deterrent.  As I said, I was just playing devil's advocate. 

[Cobaltblu]

It's an easily accessable, semi-private place in the middle of the general public.  You'll have problems with vandalism, drug use and worse. 
[/buzzkill]

Shhhh!  You're ruining my idea for www.portapottyswingers.com

Dang!

Interestingly at Sterling last year there WAS two or three blue porta-potties in the middle of the parking lots where I got dressed as people were coming in to the faire.

Regards,

CB

[Chelsy]

I agree with the idea that these changing pavillions would be more trouble than they're worth. They'd cost money to build/buy, they'd need security... all money which could be going to the faire!

At TNRF, I just dress in my chemise and leave everything else for the parking lot. It's fun to see the looks the other hotel patrons give you as you head to the car! Sometimes it's hard to change into multiple skirts in the parking lot-- especially if there's tall grass-- but that's part of the fun. Leaving the faire, it's a bit more difficult to change into a t-shirt in the parking lot, but using my chemise and cars as a cover, it's not so bad.

[Lady L]

When we have gone to other faires, not MNRF, (where I change in my own shop,) we have used the gas stations' bathrooms. At some faires, there are gas stations quite close to the faire's location.

[robert of armstrong]

The parking lot is the best place to change.  See what I'm wearing in my photo?  Whatch we struggle into it in the morning and out of it in the late afternoon in the parking lot at Great Lakes July 25, Ohio Sept 19 and Michigan Sept 20.

[DonaCatalina]

There have been more than a few times were people set up small pavilions in FOF parking at scarby to change in at 8:00am.

[Aiacha]

There have been more than a few times were people set up small pavilions in FOF parking at scarby to change in at 8:00am.

I acutally have been planning something similar.  I want to create a mini-tent attachment for my SUV, which can be quickly attached and provide enough room for someone to change, and maybe a little shade on those hot days.  It's not so much for when I get there, since I drive from the hotel half dressed anyway, but when I drive home on sunday, I want to change into 'danes.  If it weren't for the "no bra under bodice" thing, it would be much easier.  If I could have a quick one room tent at the end of my car, I'd be a happy camper.

[Zardoz]

Here's something Aiacha;  http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Dressing-Tailgating-Shelter-Cabana/dp/B000ENOBVW


If I ran a faire, I'd think a building with 8 or 10 curtained off stalls for changing would be cool, and you could offset some of the cost by having  some airport style coin-op lockers for their stuff in there.

[Aiacha]

Here's something Aiacha;  http://www.amazon.com/Portable-Dressing-Tailgating-Shelter-Cabana/dp/B000ENOBVW

That's essentially what I'm planning, however, that's made of nylon, and doesn't do much for heat.  I'm hoping to put something together that is specifically made for my SUV, including keeping the hatch window open for light, and outer poles to hold out the curtained dressing area for a little more room.

[DonaCatalina]

I wonder if Sherwood will consider something like this as they expand?