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Post by Sir Trevor on Jul 8, 2006 20:09:20 GMT -5
It was AWESOMEThe weather was beautiful. A bit on the warm side, but not to humid, and a decent breeze. The food was great as always. The only show I saw was the chess match. And it was great! One of the best I have seen in a few years. The performers were a bit jittery due to opening day and it showed in a couple of the fights, but it was still great fun to watch. The fights were fun and fresh (as were some of the performers  ) The cast were awesome too. All were having fun, doing bits. Interacting with patrons, and I even saw several of them inside vendor booths doing a little interacting. Everyone I talked to today had a great time. They enjoyed themselves and had fun. No real grumbling about anything. No one really had a bad word to say. Well, except for the wristbands. New policy this season. To purchase alcohol, you must get a wristband to show that you are of legal age. Not a major thing, but it was an annoyance for those with nice outfits, and no arm adornments to hide it. |
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Post by Daisy Canard, French Flirt on Jul 8, 2006 20:25:10 GMT -5
Huzzah for that! It was awesome, though I must say, that I have grown a bit out of shape over the year, and had a hard time getting my faire legs back. Maybe things will be better tomorrow.
And speaking of tomorrow, the weather is suppose to be just as wonderful, and hopefully we will get an even bigger crowd!
You know it's so weird. It's been a whole year, but after an hour...it felt like we were just picking up from the previous weekend. It was great. And it was great to see everyone again!
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Post by Simon De Montfort on Jul 8, 2006 21:07:51 GMT -5
Today was PERFECT
This was the answer to all my dreams of Faire,
If the rest of the season turns out half as good we all Will be truly blessed.
Simon and Lady De Montfort
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Post by Simon De Montfort on Jul 8, 2006 21:12:35 GMT -5
[quote Well, except for the wristbands.
New policy this season. To purchase alcohol, you must get a wristband to show that you are of legal age. Not a major thing, but it was an annoyance for those with nice outfits, and no arm adornments to hide it.
[/quote]
I heard that only one pub was issuing the bands and that was for people who looked 26 or younger,
Why I did not get one is a mystery ;D
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Post by BlackKnight on Jul 8, 2006 21:16:55 GMT -5
We had a great time although my son didn't. There was a "relaxed" feel to the faire today. My only disappointments were seemingly less vendors and low patron turnout.
Wow...Tom aka Prince John definitely was not his old jolly self from his days as King...less hair too!
Hack & Slash rocked as usual!
Long Live King Richard!!!!! (Yes you too, Richard Brentar..nice to have you back in the shire....)
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Post by Sir Trevor on Jul 8, 2006 21:22:46 GMT -5
Actually, while the crowd seemed small, it was a heck of a lot larger than any other opening day I remember.
I rmemeber having most of the shire to run around in as it was pretty deserted on opening days before.
I do think the shift from the 4th helped attendance.
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Post by Sir Trevor on Jul 10, 2006 7:21:25 GMT -5
Changed the thread title to cover the whole weekend, not just opening day.
So, what did everyone think?
Day two was very tireing for us. We had so much fun, and did so much walking and standing on Saturday, that by mid-day Sunday we were starting to wear down.
Still had fun, but really need to get our faire legs back.
We also noticed that after the initial rush that was opening day, that on Sunday we had quite a bit of down time. Time where we really couldn't think of something to do.
I know, there are plenty of shows for us to watch yet.
But sword school was really missed. They were a large part of our faire day. Either hanging out, helping teach, or getting lessons ourselves.
We really are going to have a hard time filling that void.
That was the only real downer for us though.
We did start laying the groundwork for some great mischeif with the cast to come.
And of course there will be rat-pucking.
One thing that did impress me this weekend.
It came to my attention Sunday that there were several problems behind the scenes during both days. But thanks to some great work by the staff, the patrons never even noticed.
As far as anyone I talked to, everything was going smoothly and they never noticed any glitches.
A truely wonderous weekend!
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Post by Lady Catharine on Jul 10, 2006 7:49:02 GMT -5
Okay my thoughts.
1) Positive energy
2) Cast seemed much more relaxed.
3) Vendors abit sparse.
4) Some will be returning, some will not, specifically Vicki a clothier, due to personal medical issues will not return this year.
5) All in all, this year was different- I enjoyed it.
6) We all know as the weeks progress, attendance will escalate.
Huzzah!
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Post by Amina on Jul 10, 2006 8:37:28 GMT -5
1) The improvements to the grounds were great – the gardens were really beautiful, and the stages looked very good (loved the new stage where Johnny Pheonix performs). The Faire looked more “ready” for opening than it has for some time. And it was good to see the new banners along the driveway in, too…that always helps sets the festive mood.
2) Good to have Hack & Slash, Axel and Ded Bob back, and the Tortugas were a riot, as usual. Didn’t get to see Gibbon yet, but will catch one of his shows the next time out. In fact, there were a lot of shows we’ll have to catch the next time around.
3) Even though the lines seemed long in the morning, there was a lady directing patrons – pointing out which lines were for which purchases (yes, there are signs, but they are hard to see when you are more than a few people back in line). That helped keep things moving tremendously.
4) Loved the new, simpler costumes for much of the cast. They provided a more cohesive picture than in the past, and they were very flattering for everyone.
5) Rides for the kids – are they never coming back? Is it an insurance issue, which would be entirely understandable? If the climbing wall and crow’s nest aren’t going to be used, there should be some serious thought given to taking them down. To have them there, looking abandoned and run-down, just looks sad (and probably disappointing to those little ones who enjoyed those rides.)
6) There were a few glitches that we noticed both times we went to the food vendors – no plates at one stand fairly early in the day, no water for coffee in the afternoon (though we understand there was a broken water line somewhere). Nothing too major.
All in all, a very nice opening.
And the funniest line heard all day, no offense to the professionals: at the stunt-show known as the joust (OK, OK, it’s still my pet peeve!!), a little girl in front of us looked at her mother and said, “Why do they just keep hitting each other?”, to which the mother replied, “Because they’re men, honey!”
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Penfold
cast 
Puckus Sumare
Posts: 361
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Post by Penfold on Jul 10, 2006 9:23:45 GMT -5
It was a blast to see so many friendly faces on the first weekend!
My days went fairly smoothly aside from forgetting to each lunch on time Saturday and thus causing myself a lovely headache. I was too set in my ways of having lunch after the parade to think about eating BEFORE now that it's scheduled later.
Ah well, corrected on Sunday and the day went just fine after that.
A wonderful family that comes each year ended up showing on Sunday which was quite a treat. There I was eating my lunch when I turned and watched the two boys place their Pox coins on the table. I, in turn, pulled out my dubloons and the penny I was given years ago.
We talked for a bit and I worked on teaching them their first card trick as promised.
Their visit is a moment I look forward to each and every season now. It reminds me why I love performing so very much!
Overall, a great opening weekend!
Thanks to the site crews for their hard work in helping us clean up and open!
Thanks to the entire cast for all your hard work and energy!
Thanks to every patron for your support and for giving us a chance to entertain you!
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Post by SwordSchoolGroupie on Jul 10, 2006 9:39:21 GMT -5
They had the wrist bands last year. and you got them at the booth at the front gate. so that is nothing new. It did seem kind of empty and I noticed the abandoned crow's nest and thought those exact same things. The weather was good. Everything seemed really space apart and I agree with Trevor that sword school had filled much of that void. I saw Gibbon and Axel in their together show, POrter & Stout, the Robin Jailbreak, and Pub Sing. I really enjoyed the story by the Grim Reaper. I will be in the parade and giving breaks to some of the vendors to earn my keep.
I also had time to congratulate Johnny on his marriage during his show hawking. And just generally spent the day saying hi to people.
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Post by CelticWench on Jul 10, 2006 9:59:49 GMT -5
I was there Saturday, and I had a great time. I caught a Tortuga Twins show (although I missed their "new" show - Capt. Morgan, I think?), and saw Ded Bob. Spent a lot of time just wandering.... I think I missed a lot of the cast bits - just wasn't in the right place at the right time, I guess?  The crowds seemed a little thin, but it was opening weekend, after all. The change in parade time totally messed me up, too - guess that will teach me to turn down a program booklet when it is offered! ;D I also discovered that Fiona's Fineries is back, and I'll be helping her out a few times this summer. So look for me there!! Oh, and did anyone see the Washing Well Wenches show where the girls removed the wig of a cancer patient?!?!  (Apparently all was well, though....the woman was completely willing to play along. She was the mother-in-law of a coworker's child, that is the only reason I know about it!) Erin |
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Post by Sir Trevor on Jul 10, 2006 15:32:19 GMT -5
As to the crowds.
Sunday did seem very thin.
But.
I noticed when leaving that they had people parked all the way in the back of the lot by the office.
So there must have been a bunch of people there sometime.
I am wondering if the appearance of small crowds is caused by the new show schedule.
There are always shows going on at some time. So those people are in seats and not in the lanes.
In previous years, with stretches with no show activity, everyone was in the lanes at the same time. Now it would be more broken up and stagard. Giving it the impression of less people compaired to last year.
From what I saw, a lot of the shows had decent sized crowds.
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Post by Hawise on Jul 10, 2006 16:19:50 GMT -5
I'll add my cheers to the chorus. I LOVE the new costuming - not only closer to appropriate for the period, but a unified look that readily identifies cast members (but not as strictly as uniforms would). I saw lots of crowd interaction, lots of playing with patrons.
I agree with Trevor that some of the reason for quiet lanes was that so many folks were watching shows.
And I totally agree that if the rides are not going to be used they need to be dismantled - they make the areas look like long-abandoned carnivals.
All in all, a hearty congratulations to all for a wonderful opening weekend!
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Post by Sir Trevor on Jul 10, 2006 16:36:54 GMT -5
IF I remember correctly, the Crow's Nest wasn't being operated the first 2 weekends last season either.
But after that they did find someone to run it.
Hopefully they will find someone to run them again this year.
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)
(Apparently all was well, though....the woman was completely willing to play along. She was the mother-in-law of a coworker's child, that is the only reason I know about it!)
