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Post by CelticWench on Mar 17, 2005 14:35:46 GMT -5
(I wasn't sure if this belonged here or on the general board -- Trevor, feel free to move it if you think it fits better elsewhere!) Has anyone else had to think about the rising price of gas when planning their faire visits for this summer? I live in Erie, and gas prices here are currently around $2.10-$2.13......predicted to rise above $2.50 by the summer. Even with the lower prices "over the border" in OH, it could still seriously damage my faire budget. I see me (and hubby) visiting once or twice, rather than our usual 4 or more. At least the question of whether or not to buy season passes has been answered for us....  And looking at the bigger picture, since the faire isn't exactly "local" for many patrons, do you think the cost of gas could impact the number of "mundanes" we see this summer?? |
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Post by Kayenne on Mar 17, 2005 21:26:11 GMT -5
Not much lower. I got lucky and paid only $2.02 on Monday at a Convenient store in Painesville. But the Speedway I passed today had regular unleaded for $2.16!
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Post by Sir Trevor on Mar 17, 2005 21:49:28 GMT -5
Dang! And I thought $1.96 was high.  Wonder what the price is in Kingsville. Usually the lowest around these parts. As to my commuting. Won't affect me much. Then again, I'm only about 20 minutes from faire, almost all highway miles too. |
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Post by SwordSchoolGroupie on Mar 18, 2005 8:13:16 GMT -5
1.99 here but then again that's 35 to 45 minutes from faire. the BP in windsor is outrageously expense because it is the only gas station south of faire for miles. if you don't come by way of I90 you are in the sticks for a long time.
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Post by Wlfleda on Mar 18, 2005 8:21:13 GMT -5
It's a one hour drive door-to-door for me to get to GLMF. Even though I have a very fuel-efficient car, there's only so much $$$ in the budget, and the only thing that hasn't gone up in the last three years is my income.
Alot of GLMF's patrons drive in from Cleveland. Gas prices in the Cleveland area are currently pushing $2.20/gallon. In fact, the Shell station I pass on the way to work was at $2.079 at 6:55 am yesterday morning - by 3:55 pm, it was at $2.199.
Sorry, but entertainment is the first item to get cut in times like this. Especially entertainment that one has to drive a way to get to. I'm sure I'll go two, maybe three times, but I have no intention of going the 10-12 times I used to attend.
When setting prices for the upcoming season (beyond ticket prices), I hope the PTB will keep in mind how much more tightly-stretched their patron's income may be this summer, how long we've been suffering from the economic quagmire that is NE Ohio, and how little economic recovery we are seeing in this area. Everyone I know is starting to get really hostile about EVERY little price increase. I'm sure the fair makes a good portion of their income on food and beverage sales, but maybe being just a tad more lenient on issues like people carrying their own water would go a long way toward customer relations.
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Post by Mallory Fauve on Mar 18, 2005 11:44:21 GMT -5
this makes me sad  I live in Erie also and so far the best we've come up with is carpooling for cast and everyone chipping in, of course that's a good solution, but i think it's still gonna hurt everyone in the long run. ......from Erie it's about an hours drive. |
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Post by Sir Trevor on Mar 18, 2005 11:52:33 GMT -5
Well, people can always look at the flip side as well.
Around here, we usually have some of the lowest gas prices compared to Erie and Cleveland.
If they come out to faire, they can fill up the tank cheaper here.
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Magda
cast 
look into my eyes: what do you see?
Posts: 168
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Post by Magda on Mar 18, 2005 13:13:02 GMT -5
That's part of the reason I can't do faire this year; I just don't have an income to support the gas consumption it would require. I live further away than just about anyone who was on cast last year: three hours (from home) to Geneva. I also lost the place I stayed in the evenings: the uncle I stayed with died recently. Those are the main reason I'm not coming back to cast this summer. But I'll be saving my pennies for visits!
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Melissa
cast
Duunyeit khayee
Posts: 49
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Post by Melissa on Mar 18, 2005 15:04:52 GMT -5
Just my thoughts: I like like...super-close to faire...probably only 20 minutes if you drive reeeeeaaally sloooowwwlyyy...haha... But anyway... I was thinking that between going between days during the faire weekend wouldn't it be a smart idea to camp out between sat & sun just to save money with driving back and forth...? And for the cast- there is always carpooling & the option of staying at another cast members house during the weekends as to not have to drive back and forth. I know there are some of us who would be more than happy to put up for a couple squaters during the weekend - I personally wouldn't mind if people wouldn't mind sleeping on floors and couches, lol. I don't know just my ideas...  Melissa |
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Post by Ringo on Mar 18, 2005 23:55:47 GMT -5
Car pooling is always a good alternative. I didn't think about the prices and how it would affect attendance or cast. Hell, in year's past cast members who relied on their parents to drive them had enough problems. This will make it even more of a challenge. Gee, maybe Sir Trevor could start the first GLMF cast youth hostel. (hehe...)
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Post by Hephzibah on Mar 19, 2005 0:07:18 GMT -5
Oh do you have that right Ringo.!!!! But if anyone whats to put up a ditzy blonde and a never ending talker(please I have heard it for 12 years) comming from the Canton and sorounding areas get with us. So far we are getting season passes .
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Post by Sir Trevor on Mar 19, 2005 0:38:12 GMT -5
Sound like a few local residents could make some extra cash if they turned their houses into temporary bed & breakfasts for a few weeks during the summer. ;D
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Post by Lady Catharine on Mar 19, 2005 16:14:00 GMT -5
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Griffin
Mercenary
On to the future
Posts: 244
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Post by Griffin on Mar 24, 2005 10:28:07 GMT -5
From a vendor standpoint, I see this as a good thing. Most folks who took vacations over long distances may be tempted to do something closer to home. This has been my experience in my lifetime (which is not a short time). This is true for all ren and other events that I have been involved in during times of problematic gas situations. I think that when it comes down to it, people will find a way to visit the faire as long as we present a good show and a positive attitude about it. They still need us to entertain them.
BTW, I will not be visiting over this weekend as planned. Gas is too high. (Just kidding) I will not be coming up for real, but it has nothing to do with gas. Erik, however, will be there checking the booth for damage or needed attention.
See you all in June.
Mitch
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Post by Lady Catharine on Mar 24, 2005 11:44:40 GMT -5
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