Final Weekend

[Sir Trevor]

Ok, I usually wait until the weekend is over to start these threads.
But I just had to mention a few things from Saturday.

First of all, Russ and Chris had a vow renewal today!
Pics are on this page
www.tylisaari.com/medieval/glmf09/rc.htm

And everyone needs to check out the new act on the chessboard stage.
Dueling Fools
They are replacing Buckle & Swash this weekend.
And they feature one of our former cast members.
Steve Madden (aka - Will Scarlett, Binkie, Nostradamus)
So, let's show some support for another of our home-grown acts!
The show is good. Maybe not Hack & Slash calibre yet, but it is funny and entertaining. And the sword fights are very good!

[Capt. Morgan]

Just wanted to thank you all for making this season another memorable one in Avaloch. I know I didn’t get to make the rounds as I usually do...but the weather combined with a whole wave of things that have been going on in my personal life, work and the Faire taxed even this immortal’s fortitude.

Our Faire will prevail because of people like you who stand for right and justice and who hold a special place in your hearts for those near and dear...be they long time friends or people you’ve just met in sharing a pint, listening to music and laughing. I count my life richer for having known each and every one of you and as the mists of Time engulf the Gates of Avaloch for another year, I still hear the sweet music and your laughter which will carry me through the long cold winter months until we all meet again.

[Marzeke]

The final weekend always brings mixed emotions.

I always have my best times at the faire on the last weekend but then I get home and realize it is over for another year.

Despite all the controversy this year, it was still one of my favorite years ever.

Huzzah to all the cast for a wonderful job and Huzzah to all the lovely people that attend the faire and add to the magic.

God bless you all and I cannot wait till next year (Disclaimer: That is any God you choose to believe in, if you choose to believe. )

[Hundebert (Rob P.)]

So often you all thank the cast for their performances, but thank you all for everything! We all, Cast, Merchant, Stage acts, and Patrons alike create the magic that is the Great Lakes Medieval Faire!

I am not a sentimental person, and every year I say closing pub sing will not bother me, but each year I find myself in tears at the prospect of being apart from all of you cast members and patrons for so very long until the next season.

Remember that and keep the magic close to your hearts until I see you all again. You are all the reason that we come and give ourselves to the Faire, because we love each and every one of you who come to the Faire and give us a purpose.

May whatever beings or forces you believe in see you safely through our gates in 2010, because rest assured, we'll still be there!

[Kellie (Guinevere)]

I just woke up today. After the cast party, I slept for hours...I don't think I realized how tired I was.

I got hit by the "holy cow, it's over"-ness about fifteen minutes ago. I can't believe I'm not going back this weekend. Always going there and seeing everyone...it's hard to think of Avaloch with no people in it. Plus, I was also attending practices from May till June, so I feel like I've been going on weekends forever.

It's such a weird feeling. Weird weird weird.

[countessofmidnight]

The Energy & Friendship were Stronger and Better than ever this Last Weekend ... YEOW!!!!
But,--- YES, It was REALLY HOT !! !...

MANY THANKS to the First Aid People for providing ice water to hydrate us all !!! And, to Beer Dave for his Ice Water Hooka !

Highlights for me:

---Dancing with Allyn's Beautiful & Sweet snake whose name is Hope

--- Hearing Circa Paleo play better and longer than they ever have before that I can remember. And, when the audience formed a chain laughing, dancing & singing to the Band's "Hava Naglia "... Then, at the end of the last Song the audience threw probably 50 roses onto the stage and stood clapping and shouting... IT WAS OUTSTANDING !!!

---I met some very nice people who were first-timers to Our Faire. They were MYSTIFIED as to WHY anyone would want to shut down such a WONDERFUL place . We have made MANY new friends !

---"Health To The Company" & the Final Raising of Our glasses was BETTER THAN ever !!! ...

Yes, --- "A HEALTH TO THE COMPANY " !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... We WILL BE BACK in the SAME PLACE NEXT YEAR !!!!

---HHHHAAAAAAAAAUUUUZZZZAAAHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[blueguy]

I don't know, I guess with my entire life having been driven by seasonal businesses, the end of the faire run never seems to bother me. It was a good year, good things happened, strange things happened, lousy things happened, some very good things came out of that anyhow.

I have somewhere between 5 and 26 new friends, I need another storage box to hold the new gear, I've told some great stories, heard some better ones, stood next to a fire for heat in august and doused myself with water to cool off not even 24 hours later (love that Ohio weather) but this week it just felt like it was ready to be done and savor the memories a bit.

But here are my thoughts from the last two days in no particular order:

- Why does everyone who hugs goodbye last weekend apologize about being sweaty after being outside in the heat all day? We know you are sweaty, we are sweaty too. just give us a squeeze already and we won't discuss the perspiration.

- Avaloch notes. seems like every year I end up with some bought off a patron that is not a regular. looks like I've got enough for meals the first weekend again next year.

- At least one vendor discussed plans to possibly be at Great Lakes mall in Mentor for the Holiday season. Keep your eyes open folks.

- Last weekend costuming. I didn't think I saw anything new that stood out until I really started typing this sentence. Then I remembered 2 people with long associations to the faire that were in brand new (and amazing) outfits as well as the giant bunny head that kept me awake most of Saturday night.

- Was someone running around ahead of me all day telling patrons I was in charge or something? They kept coming up to me and telling me how much they liked the faire and what a great job I was doing with it.

-Side note to the cast, crew and staff: The patrons who were out for the first time this weekend had a great time and love what you are doing with the faire and want you to keep up the great work.

- Personal note to the trash trolls, privy faeries and redshirt security: Thanks for what you are doing. it's fairly miserable work for what you earn and the place would literally fall into ruin without you. We never appreciate you enough. (I'd offer to feed the privy faeries but they know where their hands have been)

- speaking of privies, I heard that at one point on Sunday someone was intoxicated enough that they could not figure out how to get back out of the privy and were shouting for help to get out of the blue room. (I chuckled)

- I was sitting in the corner at pub sing (first one I saw all year) and the last person to tap mugs with me happened to be Bunny so cheers to you lass.

- As usual, I got to talking to everybody that wandered by Sunday evening and finally got into my car at 8:45 pm. Maybe I was less comfortable to see faire end than I think I was.

-so...october we have this Halloween thing coming up....

[Sir Trevor]

Aug 17, 2009 17:27:25 GMT -5 blueguy said:

but this week it just felt like it was ready to be done and savor the memories a bit.

Here, here.

I love faire dearly. But I was ready for the end to come.
It is a bitter sweet thing really.
It's sad that next weekend I won't be sweating/shivering in the lanes caked with dust/mud and enjoying everyone's company.
But I finally get to sleep in, and recharge my batteries a bit this coming weekend.

Maybe I wouldn't feel that way if I didn't go every day, gate-to-gate. But I can't imagine not being there as long as the gates are open.
There is so much fun, excitement, magic, and friendship there, how could I not be there.
But sometimes it is a chore. And at the end of a long day, I find myself think c'mon, sing Health To The Company already so I can go home.
Which, in itself is silly. As I can leave any time I want to.
But it seems sooooo wrong to leave before I hear "To The Gates!"

But man, what a final weekend this one was!
Yeah, a little on the hot side. But we finally had a weekend without rain! The lanes were filled. People were having fun. And lots of old friends showed up to play with all of us.

We definitely went out iwth a bang this year.

[captainblackfabian]

It was an fun weekend a lot old and new friend to see and to look forward to seeing next year!! The first time for me and Rob (Tax Collector of Avaloch) to play human checkers match at the GLMF!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS A LOT OF FUN AND GREAT YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sly Pirate ;D

[Allyn]

Final Sunday as everyone has already said....was just amazing!
This season, I increased the size of my "Faire Family" quite a bit.
To my friends....Thank-You all! I went to my car several times Sunday....it took me awhile going each direction, because people wanted to see the snake. Made it a point to ask each of the families AND couples I ran into if they had a good time at the Faire............EVERYBODY I talked to told me what a great time they had, and I talked to ALOT of people that day.
I just can't say enough about this years WONDERFUL cast. Each and every one of you made Avaloch such an amazing place to be in. As I was leaving Sunday the cast did what I think was called a harmony circle? Something I will never forget! Talk about positive energy! Each and every cast member can take pride in the Avaloch they helped create this season.
Please keep in touch with us here.
And, don't forget the Hank and Bunny Halloween party! Always a good time. Allyn

[bunbun / Hank]

The yard is bare. Tents have been packed away and castle Cloverleaf, a "suburb" of Avaloch has disappeared into the mist of another season. Friends have returned home, or are on a journey to yet another faire.

But what a season it was: made many new friends. got into a fight. (that trustee thing.) Got soaked to the bone, and roasted my butt off, all in the span of a weekend. Got some "gifts." A flower from a beautiful young lady. A new walking cane from Blueguy (Thank you again, good sir) to name but a few. Got many, many more immaterial gifts in the form of friendship and "good Times." Sat around a a fire till way past midnight for the past six weeks, drinking, talking and laughing.

Got to meet some wonderful new entertainers that I would like to see more of next year; Terry Griffith. (hope I spelled that correctly) The Naughty Bawdy Babes, Will the Fiddler (loved that Celtic Rap song he did at pub sing ;D) Odd Bodkins, another funny and very talented group. You have to hear "What do you do with a Dead Gerbil" sung to the tune of what do you do with a drunken sailor.

The Viking Hoard was a treat to watch and talk with, though after watching their fight demonstrations I am amazed any of them are still alive. Maybe next year they should be located much closer to the first aid tent. ;D

2009 will go down in my book as ONEHELLUV a great year

HANK.

Almost forgot. Along with making many new friends I got to see the return of many "old" friends from seasons past who graced the shire with their presences. One in particular was a cast member from a few seasons ago, JJLUVSLIONKING. who has grown into a very beautiful young lady. VAVAVOOM!

And to Trevor's daughter Britny, and her friend Leah whom I have watched grow into smart, beautiful young women in their own right and are now starting on a journey to college. Best of luck to you both.

And a little sadness goes with this year also. The loss of Hoss, and the retirement of Dillasandra and am I correct in saying Poison Ivy also? Who were some great entertainers in their own right as they handed out pickles for more years then I've been going to faire.

[Britny Ylisaari]

Aug 18, 2009 18:54:43 GMT -5 bunbun / Hank said:

And to Trevor's daughter Britny, and her friend Leah whom I have watched grow into smart, beautiful young women in their own right and are now starting on a journey to college. Best of luck to you both.

Awww... thank you. *big hugs*


And thank you to everyone else as well. From the performers, to the cast, to the vendors, to the old friends and new friends, right down to all the workers, including the trash trolls, parking guys, privie fairies, and everyone else, you all made this year great.

I'm sad to see it over, as I am every year, but glad to have some free time on the weekends again.

Though, I know I will wake up bright and early this saturday, then wonder what to do with myself....

[sue]

This is one of the best years I have ever experienced. As all of you I roasted and froze.
The cast this year was awesome and I love all of you, thank you for all of the hard work you did to make all of us smile, laugh, sing and dance. And now that it is over I still tear up every now and then as I remember this phenomenal year. (This not unusual for me I stop crying around the time of the Halloween party)
To all of the people behind the scenes trash guys, privy fairies, security, parking people thank you for all you did without you Avaloch would not be what it is a clean and safe place to have fun at.
To our vendors you have brought us the best wares possible and we tried to buy form as many we could to ensure your return.
To Larry Rickard for creating the most magical place on earth a mere thank you does not seem enough, but Thank You! I will help in any way I possibly can to keep our faire open. Just let me know how.
I also want to thank Richard and Vinny (Porter and Stout) for all of the nice things they said about me at pub sing on sunday.
I'll see some of you at the Halloween Party but to those I will not I will keep you in my prayers and cannot wait to see you again next year.
Sue