Thoughts on the Season overall

[Sir Trevor]

We have had threads for each weekend so far.
With lots of good discussion.

So, what is everyone's thoughts on the season as a whole?
What did you like?
Didn't like?
What can still be improved on?
What were you surprised to see changed?
What were you glad stayed the same?

Or any other general thoughts.

[BlackKnight]

The faire really needs to bring in alot more vendors, make more permanent structures.

I would like to see a large royalty cast, regardless of theme. I know it is more work, but I do miss seeing them more involved in stage shows.

Since pirates are popular these days, like having a gypsy camp, they should have an Smuggler's area for an in-house pirate band.

More music acts near the pubs running on rotation so that there is always music playing at the pub areas. (A former cast member mentioned this...good idea)

[CelticWench]

Hmmm, let's see.

- I actually liked the music set-up this year. Between the scheduled stage shows and lane acts - Menagerie, Barrett, Porter and Stout, Michael Manderen, the wandering minstrel, Vince from Aerial Angels... - I felt like I could almost always hear music.
I like Sir Geoffrey's idea of music near the pub areas, too, but I also enjoyed stumbling on a random unexpected melody here and there.....

- Quite honestly, the "back side" of the shire - the New World Loop, I think? - has always felt gloomy and depressing to me, and this year wasn't really an exception. I don't know what could be done to change that, though. But from Brazin' Lady around to the alpacas, I always feel like some creepy forest troll is going to come out and grab me. I don't know if widening the paths might help? Or adding permanent structures? Or maybe it is just me... It doesn't seem to have the "bustling village" atmosphere of the other side of the shire, that's all I know. And I'm sure part of it is due to the topography.....

- Oh, and I want the Rogues back next year. ;D

[Lady Catharine]

Yes the gypsy camp area needs to be filled.
Extend the faire 2 additional weeks, either start it 2 weeks earlier so it will not conflict with the MIRF.
DONT know about anyone else< BUT 6 WEEKS is too short.

Sign Owen early, c'mon crowds come to partially see;hear him..

Faire is not the same w/o Owen.
Vary the food ,Im not into deep deep frying.this isnt the south folks, lets have a nice variety and some changes.

[Kayenne]

Sorry, Lady Catherine, but if we extend the faire any more, the vendors will drop like flies. We lost the elephant and some other people the last weekend to the Pa. faire, which started that same weekend. And Michigan starts this coming weekend. 6 weeks is a good length, not to short or long.

[Fainche O'Ceallaigh]

sirgeoffrey said:

The faire really needs to bring in alot more vendors

There's a new craft coordinator this year - the guy who runs the Artisans to the Knights booth. I talked with him a bit, and he's already starting to contract a lot more vendors, and more varied vendors than just clothiers, leatherworkers, and jewelers. I think we're going to have some great shopping next season.

sirgeoffrey said:

make more permanent structures.

From what I've heard, Larry would love to do just that, but can't because of building ordinances/codes/things. Something to do with town law regarding buildings. Stands are fine; things without walls are sort of fine and sort of iffy; but for the most part his hands are tied as far as putting in more permanent structures. (The township makes things rather difficult for the faire, believe it or not.)

ladycatharine said:

Yes the gypsy camp area needs to be filled.

Huh? Are you saying it isn't? O.o Gypsy camp's been bustling the past year or two.

ladycatharine said:

Extend the faire 2 additional weeks, either start it 2 weeks earlier so it will not conflict with the MIRF. DONT know about anyone else< BUT 6 WEEKS is too short.

From what I've heard (and again, this is partially rumor), the ownership would like to do that as well. Dunno how I feel about it, personally. Starting it earlier might work, but extending it any later is a problem (like Jasmine said) due to events like Pensic and other faires. Vendors, performers, etc have other commitments to make at other faires, some of which they've done for years, many of which bring them a lot more money.

For instance - the foam swords place did really well for a GLMF vendor. Seemed everywhere I looked there were people with foam swords. But they normally make twice what they made at GLMF - or more than that. We're the biggest faire in the area, yes, but we're still a rather small faire in comparison to MIRF, Scarborough, and several others. That affects the vendors.

ladycatharine said:

Sign Owen early, c'mon crowds come to partially see;hear him.. Faire is not the same w/o Owen.

And I'm sure that if it were possible, that'd happen. But Owain has other commitments at other faires and other places, some of which pay better (and like it or not, the faire doesn't have unlimited resources, and we are a relatively small faire), and some of which he has more of an emotional obligation to (such as MIRF; I think that's his home faire, if what I've read is correct? we don't really extend into MIRF's season at the moment, but if we did...). Hell, just look at his touring schedule. It's insane.

[Sir Trevor]

Very good points Patti (Dani)
On the extending faire topic.
It ain't gonna happen.
Not to be a nay-sayer, but until the 6 weeks we have now are packed to capacity, what sense would there be in making it any longer?
Sure, us regulars would like it.
But people like the the vendors, the performers, and the faire itself would have to be able to make money every weekend in order to get them to comit more time to the faire.
I talked to several vendors and performers. Some did ok, some did not.
None had an oustanding year.
Many were pleased though, so they will be back.
Though I do know of others who will not be returning. Either because it isn't worth the investment, or because of other obligations. (please don't ask me who, things I am told in confidence stay private)

What it comes down to, was, this was an ok year as far as money making went.
Attendance was not great, but not too bad.
On the good side, most I talked to were very up-beat.
Even if the numbers were not great, they saw that things are improving, and moving in the right direction. They are hopefull that the future will bring even better things.
They are looking forward to next year, and have confidence in the managment right now.

You also have to realize. (as has been stated already) we are a small faire.
As much as we love the place, in comparison to a lot of other faires, we can't even compare.
Either with size, or attendance.
Most national acts, or vendors, can easily make twice the money at another event.
But what we lack in size, we make up for in atmosphere.
They like our shire. They enjoy being here.
They enjoy how friendly everyone is, and how relaxed things are.
So as long as they can make enough to live on, they will keep coming back.
But, if our season starts to conflict with some of the larger faires they do, they are going to have to go where the money is. Just a hard fact of life.

[BlackKnight]

jasmine said:

Sorry, Lady Catherine, but if we extend the faire any more, the vendors will drop like flies. We lost the elephant and some other people the last weekend to the Pa. faire, which started that same weekend. And Michigan starts this coming weekend. 6 weeks is a good length, not to short or long.

I have to agree...the faire just doesn't have the attendance to make an additional two weeks worth the cost of operating. Especially this year. I have a feeling the attendance numbers were down from previous years. Even with the nice weekend we had on the last weekend, Saturday was just sad. Sunday was pretty good but not as good as it should have been.

So...I hope John is able to kick off the promotional plan like I have heard they are doing and make the faire a more visible attraction.

[BlackKnight]

From what I've heard, Larry would love to do just that, but can't because of building ordinances/codes/things. Something to do with town law regarding buildings. Stands are fine; things without walls are sort of fine and sort of iffy; but for the most part his hands are tied as far as putting in more permanent structures. (The township makes things rather difficult for the faire, believe it or not.)

You are right...I did forget about that ordeal...

Huh? Are you saying it isn't? O.o Gypsy camp's been bustling the past year or two.

I think she meant the amount of vendors in that area, not the gypsy camp itself. The gypsy camp is set really rocking. Throw a pirate camp nearby and there could be some interesting storylines happening...oops..I forgot, it's a family show..

For instance - the foam swords place did really well for a GLMF vendor. Seemed everywhere I looked there were people with foam swords. But they normally make twice what they made at GLMF - or more than that.

The foam sword vendor rocked! My nephew spent his entire day there.

And I'm sure that if it were possible, that'd happen. But Owain has other commitments at other faires and other places, some of which pay better (and like it or not, the faire doesn't have unlimited resources, and we are a relatively small faire), and some of which he has more of an emotional obligation to (such as MIRF; I think that's his home faire, if what I've read is correct? we don't really extend into MIRF's season at the moment, but if we did...). Hell, just look at his touring schedule. It's insane.[/quote]

Yeah...but can we dream? We did have him for a full run one year, so I too, am disappointed they couldn't maintain it. I for one would like to see Tartan Terrors come back for Celtic Weekend along with the Rogues. Talk about really packing the faire there. I hope they can convince Maidens IV to come back, but please...don't schedule them the same time as Owain.

To add another thing about the themes, they ought to keep the Pirate and Celtic weekends obviously, throw out the rest. Add Fantasy, Rennaisance, Artisans & Musicians, mayhaps Vikings & Barbarians??? ooof...talk about potential mayhem.

[bunbun / Hank]

Well I guess it's time for me to chime in on this and express my opinions. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Overall I would rate this season a B+. It was darn good but for me the pinnacle years of Faire would probably be 2001,2002. Back then we had vendors lining the lane when the glass blower is now. the last few years that area is a ghost town. I spent little money overall other then on food and drink! Why? because over the ten years I've been going I have pretty much bought everything I have wanted and there was little that was new that I wished to purchase. A few items at the Pirate booth caught my eye and I got a few things there. As for the rest! Well, I have it. I have no desire for it. Or it is just too damn expensive to buy. Some new vendors, with new products might just change that.


I thought the parade was lacking. I remember them when the PERFORMERS took part. You had Johnny P. blowing fire balls. you had the armored knights on horseback. the Washing Well Wench's and Bardic Wind acting silly. Who did we have this year? I can only think of Ded Bob, and Porter and Stout. Now since I was in most of the parades I really couldn't see much of who was behind me, but I know Johnny and the WWW had their shows going on at the same time. And can someone please tell me why the hell cast was wearing BOATS? I could understand it on Pirate weekend. All that did was get one cast member injured (the butcher) but it made no sense at all for Oktoberfest and Masquerade.

As for the length, keep it at six weeks.That is long enough.

As for the entertainment I thought John did and excellent job with the cast, coming in "midstream" so to speak.

The biggest area that needs improvement is MARKETING!!! They only got the fliers a week before the place opened. those should have been available months in advance. If you want people to come to this THEY HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT IT FIRST! DUH!

Well it's getting late, and the couple of working brain cells I still possess are getting tired so I think I will call it a day and amend this later if I think of anything more I want to say. HANK

[Sir Trevor]

Time for a more facts, and opinions.

Themed weekends - yea. Larry knows which weekends do great.
Celtic and Pirate weekends.
Roman weekend is his brainchild as well. As much as it pains me to admit it, he is right about it. Though I don't care for seeing people running around in togas, there was a good turn-out of people who did just that. These are the people who don't normally 'dress-up' for faire either. And that was with several radio stations running the wrong promos (they ran the first weekend promos for the second weekend) So the word didn't get out to nearly as many people as it could have.
I know Larry also wants to bring back the fantasy theme next year. He is still trying to figure out where to put it, and which to replace)(or combine with another)

Marketing is being addressed.
They should have promotional material ready by the first of the year!
John is so far ahead right now, he pretty much has next season mapped out already.
Lots of interesting things in store.

Parade.
I have to agree Hank.
When John first asked my opinion of doing away with the parade (around 2nd weekend) I was shocked at the thought. The parade had always been so fun and interesting.
But this year, it was really pretty boring.
As has been mentioned.
No performers really doing anything.
No village band. Heck, other than Barrett and Porter and Stout, no music in the parade at all.
No horses.

And when you consider the toll it took on a lot of cast members during the run.
All that marching out in the sun on those hot days led to several people going down.

[Lady Catharine]

:PWell I'll say it again,. I'd enjoy starting the faire 2 weeks EARLIER,'SO there IS NO CONFLICT with the MIRF.-or any other one.

The Parade was PATHETIC.you BLINKED AND IT PASSED YOU BY.

No tuba, no musical instruments..
Where was the life ?

We need the Swordmasters back for the full run next year.

Ok I've said my peace and now Im done.

[Sir Trevor]

Lady C - I too would love to have a longer faire.
I was just pointing out why it would not happen in the forseeable future.

[Kayenne]

Overall I'd say it was a pretty good season. John and Tom did brillantly considering they came in so late. Hats off to them! (if I wore a hat! ;-) ) There was a lively energy and magic that I haven't felt in a while. The cast seemed more enthusiastic, I noticed it and so did a lot of patrons.

As a member of the parade for the last several years, I have to agree about it's lackluster quality this season. Not quite the "stealth" parade, but still lacking colour and interest. It needs more music and more participation from stage acts. Horses in the parade, especially, added an extra dimension and something special in past years.

Dillasandra and I were talking to Tom during the 5th weekend, and it sounds like it's going to be a great season next year. He and John have quite a few changes planned, and if they can pull them off, it's going to be fantastic. Tom was getting excited just talking about it, jumping up and down. They want to give everybody in the cast a chance to shine. There will be several plotlines that will intertwine. And they will be bringing better organization to the faire. I love this faire dearly, but that has never been its strong suit. Hopefully Tom and John will rectify that. I'm encouraged to hear how far ahead John is with the marketing. Really excited about next season.

[Fainche O'Ceallaigh]

admin said:

And when you consider the toll it took on a lot of cast members during the run. All that marching out in the sun on those hot days led to several people going down.

Ohhh yes. Parade is a huge toll. I've had days where I'm doing great, interacting with tons of people, I have high energy, I'm really rather proud of myself - and then it's parade time. After parade, I'm exhausted, I'm sore, my energy's gone, and I just want to rest. It kills almost the entire remainder of my day. And I know I'm not the only one affected like this.