Weekend Thoughts

[winterland]

The weekend thoughs have turned into an intesting discussion. I agree with others that there just needs to be a good balance of the good and the bawdy.

[ladydiwinter]

Okay I think I'm done..... Oh yeah, the mosquitoes sucked! But what do you do in MN?

WHAT!?!?!?!  You take issue with our state bird?  LOL!  =P

Yeah, I think some of those bugs could carry away a loon!

[Castle Canine Creations]

We had a good weekend, which after the first two was a blessed relief, and I will actually get to fly out and be with Charlene for the last 2 weekends. We are hoping the Petfest brings even more dogs to get dressed up and people that we can let know about our Handfasting Cords as they haven't gone well at all, unlike at Scarborough. Anyway, hope everyone has a great weekend. Bill B.

[andy]

Personally, I HATE the move at Ren Fest towards family-friendliness.  Does EVERYTHING have to be about warm fuzzies, smiles and puppy dogs all the time? 

Seriously, there are TONS of things in the world that are family friendly; just about everything caters to families these days, and it has NOTHING to do with morals or values.  It's all because of money.  Families spend lots of money, and of course the all-mighty dollar drives just about all business decisions, Faire included.

In short, the powers that be are sacrificing fun for cash.

Can't we just have some things that are aimed towards adults anymore?  Bawdiness, drinking and sexual innuendo are part and parcel of ren faires!!  It's the spice that makes it fun!  That's why I go.  That's why all my friends go.  That's why just about every single person I work with at Faire goes.  Without that, faire just becomes another boring, generic event.  With garb.

Talk to just about ANYONE who's worked at Fest for a number of years, and they will all tell you that it's not as fun as it used to be.  And it's getting worse.  Yes, it's still a good time, but it was better, lots better.  And there's no reason it couldn't be that way again.

Well, yes it is about the money. Without it there would be no Faire. That's how this thread started. It was said that families DON'T spend money. Sales were down the first weekend, but they seem to be rebounding from what I can tell from reading these posts. That tells me that it had more to do with the hot and humid weather the first weekend than the demographics of those attending. Correct me if I'm wrong. Now, in regards to the bawdiness, drinking, and sexual innuendos, there seemed to be plenty of that going on when we were there opening day, which is the way it should be. It wouldn't be the same without it. But, I don't understand the hatred and the mentality of discouraging families from attending. There is room for everyone. I do agree, however, that those who attend an R rated show shouldn't complain because it was an R rated show. It's like TV, if you don't like it, turn the channel, or leave in this case. There is plenty of family oriented entertainment. Bottom line is, if you discourage families from attending, the overall attendance will decrease, which in turn will cause a decrease in sales, which could in turn be the demise of the Faire.   

[William_MacKean]

Yeah, I think some of those bugs could carry away a loon!

They tried, but I am still here.

[William_MacKean]

Sales were much better this weekend.  The Cottage Booth is still almost 1k cups down from last year.  The tent is up a hunny or so.  Adding the third booth, near Queen's Apples, has made me net positive from last year, but I don't really count that.

So...  BUY MORE MEAD!

[MissBubu]

But, I don't understand the hatred and the mentality of discouraging families from attending. There is room for everyone. I do agree, however, that those who attend an R rated show shouldn't complain because it was an R rated show. It's like TV, if you don't like it, turn the channel, or leave in this case. There is plenty of family oriented entertainment. Bottom line is, if you discourage families from attending, the overall attendance will decrease, which in turn will cause a decrease in sales, which could in turn be the demise of the Faire.   

The problems we are having with the "family friendly" mentality isn't that we don't want that kind of entertainment at fest, it's that certain people of that mentality won't tolerate the presence of bawdy humor at fest. I would love to see a family friendly section of fest that caters to children, and a section that caters to adults. Management won't do it.

[auntiegiggles]

@MissBubu - do you think that "family friendly" mentality is why more emphasis is being put on the Children's area?  It looks like they want a child friendly area that is also entertaining - management has placed Lady Sophia in charge of the area - she has asked street performers to come in and visit - they have the fairy tea parties (they had at least one anyways  ) - changed the time of the costume contest so kids can be knighted and enter the contest.......
In the years past when I came as a playtron with nieces the kids area was a quick stop since their wasn't much to do  - it seems like there is an attempt to change that - it would be nice if there was more information given out to the patrons so they are aware of the events in the kids area.

[saphire_glade]

@MissBubu - do you think that "family friendly" mentality is why more emphasis is being put on the Children's area?  It looks like they want a child friendly area that is also entertaining - management has placed Lady Sophia in charge of the area - she has asked street performers to come in and visit - they have the fairy tea parties (they had at least one anyways  ) - changed the time of the costume contest so kids can be knighted and enter the contest.......
In the years past when I came as a playtron with nieces the kids area was a quick stop since their wasn't much to do  - it seems like there is an attempt to change that - it would be nice if there was more information given out to the patrons so they are aware of the events in the kids area.

The tea party was arranged just that morning. It is going to become a daily event. The time might change because of a show on the stage as both the teaparty and a show at 4pm make it hard to decide where you want to be. And I think the other part is they are really trying to make it into something a lot of partrons have learned that the balloon animals and the magic wand making is down there. So they are trying to get something for kids while they are waiting in line. I know I have been asked numerous times to come entertain in there. *though the space is small and the kids are generally captive in line for 35 or more minutes and get bored and then the fairy takes offense when the little hands end up in her pouches or the start demanding like 20 bubbles and don't take turns so that the kids that just walked in can't get a bubble... and oh I am so not your free babysitter parents while you wait in line and let your kids do whatever they want...*rant done*.

But I am hoping to be able to come up with something to help them out. They once asked me if I would do tours of the secret garden. Which would be nice to do. But they never got back to me with the information I needed to be able to do it. I thought a stage story time with the fairy would be fun or something, but I have not had time to be creative. But they really are working on making that an area that kids can spend time in so that they are enjoying something away from Vil Tennis and the other not kid safe shows.

I always hoped they would make one side like the G rated areas, have more kids vendors and things, the other side bawdy and probably not kid safe and have the live steel over there... but that would be a ton of work and not going to happen.

[andy]

The problems we are having with the "family friendly" mentality isn't that we don't want that kind of entertainment at fest, it's that certain people of that mentality won't tolerate the presence of bawdy humor at fest.

Can't please everyone, huh? The faire isn't for everyone. You have to be very open minded and accept it for what it is. I like the faire the way it is! A good mix.  

[MissBubu]

The Children's Area has been there for many years, but has had a string of bad luck. The man who was running it got his pass pulled (not commenting on that one here because I've heard both sides of the story) at the end of the season last year, and it's not in a very good location. The Peasants do a short play at 5:15.

[LadyFae]

I always thought that it would be nice to have a "daycare" of sorts in or near the Childrens' Relm- (the Relm would need to be expanded though.)  A place where parents could leave their children for a short amount of time- (max 2 hours, ex) so that they could attend Feast of Fantasy or certain shows ext.  There would be a small fee and a registration log so that parents don't just keep their kids there all day- that is NOT the point of this idea, and of course there would have to be a limit to the number of children.  This, obviously, is just a basic overview of the idea but I think that it would help with a few of the above mentioned issues.  Parents could go see the bawdy shows that they want to see and not have to worry about their kids seeing and hearing things that the parents don't want them to.  The parents get at least a LITTLE bit of their own kid free Fest time.  The kids get entertainment and activities in a SAFE and SECURE environment...  I know that there are a lot of legalities that would be involved but IMO I think that it would be well worth it.

[NugBlazer]

To clarify my earlier post, I am NOT anti-family.  I have no problem with families coming to Fest.  What I don't like is the idea that everything has to pander to families above all else.

Ren Faire should just be itself and do it's own thing, and if families want to attend, great!  If not, oh well.  But, I digress...