Bosha
Mercenary
The Fruitie Patutie wench
Posts: 162
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Post by Bosha on Jul 10, 2010 17:44:15 GMT -5
So, here I sit at home, not at faire (gggrrrrrr) cause I had to work today and tomorrow. I thought I'd make a thread for everyone who was at faire today to let poor stiffs like me know how things went! Let us know what went right and what went wrong, what you loved and how everyone is coping with no beer. I won't be able to come to faire till July 24th, so help a sister out!!
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Post by ivywoodwings on Jul 10, 2010 18:31:44 GMT -5
Great idea, Bosha! I want to know as well! Heck, I was there during Opening Day last year when folks exchanged money for Avaloch dollars only to find the pubs were taking only cash.
Beer or no beer, I want to hear all the fun stories! Post, people, post!
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Post by bunbun / Hank on Jul 10, 2010 21:00:45 GMT -5
Here is my take on the first day of faire; Weather wise it was probably the most beautiful faire day I can remember in a long time. Not too hot and definitely NO RAIN!!
My biggest complaint about the lack of beer is now it is almost impossible to find anyone. The pubs were a natural gathering place, and I could almost always find certain friends at either the Stumble or the drift. Now you can go the entire day and not find them. The lack of beer is no big deal to me as I've had one beer out there in the last ten years, and that was because Dawn, Axle's girlfriend, bought me one for my birthday a few years back.
Most of today was spent wandering the lanes, seeing who was there, and what was where, as some old vendors moved to a new location, and new vendors took there old spot. I did manage to catch a couple of shows, and I'll see more tomorrow.
The chess match is awesome! You do need to catch that when you come out.
My biggest complaint is with the end of day scheduling. You have Pub sing, or as it is now called, Finale in Song (or something like that. It's STILL pub sing to me!) the final joust, and the checkers match on opposite each other, so it does thin out the crowd at pub sing a bit. Plus, it spreads the cast pretty thin this way as a third of them are at each location. Thank God we have a huge cast this year.
Overall it was a pretty darn good day and I will probably return tomorrow. Well DUH! I do have a season pass after all, so why not?
HANK.
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Post by Sir Trevor on Jul 10, 2010 21:16:58 GMT -5
My opinion is much the same as Hank's.
I don't really drink at faire, so no pubs doesn't affect me much that way, but trying to find those that are usually gathered there is much more difficult.
I do wish they would put the benches and umbrellas back at the Stumbull Inn though, as it would still be a nice place to sit and visit.
Chess was great, and I like the new time as well. 3:45. So the sun and heat are not nearly as oppresive as we are accustomed to.
We gained a few vendors this season. But we also lost some. Like the people who sold the tea the last couple years. They are still there, but doing something else. So, for those of you addicted to their tea, you are going to have to find another fix.
I see the lemonade stands now have signs for iced tea.
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Post by tomnaboley on Jul 10, 2010 22:10:45 GMT -5
I had a great time.
I did not notice anyone complaining about no beer. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.
I saw both the Chess Match and Checkers Match. Both done very well.
Pub Sing was very nice. Got to see lots of people.
The "street" cast needs a few more days to become more comfortable with patrons.
The returning cast did get them motivated and showed them the ropes. They will get it. from the little I saw, it looks like they will be doing a fine job.
I did see a couple new vendors, but, was busy talking I never stopped to check them out.
The 2 new shows in Faerie Land are very cute.
I am not too sure about the new Pickle Grove. I will have to give the guys a little more time before I decide.
The Shire looked very nice and the weather was fantastic. (No rain opening day in few years.)
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tnt
Squire
Posts: 26
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Post by tnt on Jul 10, 2010 23:06:47 GMT -5
I may be missing something but I believe not having the pubs had a big effect on the fair. I am not a drinker so that part wasn’t misted but those places where nice gathering spots where people laughed and the atmosphere was great and this would spread out to the near by arias. It would be nice to see something done with those buildings instead of the ghost town feeling they had today
All the cast and workers are doing fantastic jobs
It was great to see Hank and bunny looking so good, I haven’t seen them since last year and they have been working hard on getting into shape! They are an inspiration, you two must be proud of what you have accomplished already.
Looking forward to getting back out to the fair next Sunday, hope the weather gods cooperate.
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Post by Wyldfire on Jul 11, 2010 7:31:00 GMT -5
I too sorely miss the umbrellas and such at the stumbull. Davine and I were discussing this yesterday and decided we wanted our meeting place back. She suggested we'll be the People's Re-PUBlic.  We need to have that gathering spot, it's awful. I, however, did hear complaints on beer sales. In fact, Jeanie bought Avaloch dollars off of a lady yesterday who was very irritated that they spent $44 to get in and couldn't get beer. Of course the byob was mentioned but they refused and stay and left. |
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Post by Sir Michael of Mentor on Jul 11, 2010 13:49:14 GMT -5
 Hi All. Princess Emma and I were there yesterday. Lets put this bluntly, there is no such thing as a bad faire...just some that are better than others. Well the hard work put in this year by both cast and Larry's crew shows. I find this to be one of the best faire's we're had. I also attended the feast last night as well. If you have never gone to one, it is well worth the expense. The acts were great but I must note our Queen Berengaria ( Shawana Hamilton) was one of the best we have had. She took the time to talk to each child she saw. There was just something about the glow she gave off. Could it be our on King Richard (Bob Noponen)? He also fits the part of King so well. As for the not selling beer, I do not think it made a big difference. I surely will be back next weekend. I also think the Joust was very good and was well attended. Special note must goto Kara Laughard the chior director. Both the women's chours and the mixed chours was excellent. I must say the ladies of our shire did excell a bit more. Lastly the fiary area was also nicely done. the two plays were great. I think the leadership of the Fae by Queen Titania (chelsea Vanderergift) and King Oberon (David Sunderlin) was top notch. HUZZZZZZZZAH to everyone involved this year...Job Well done. From the words of Princess Emma who is now also a Dame COmmander in the Order of the Lion, She sais Daddy this is the most wounderfulest and bestes and in fact awsome Faire I have been to in 7 years. Sir Michael & Princess Emma See you all next weekend....
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Bosha
Mercenary
The Fruitie Patutie wench
Posts: 162
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Post by Bosha on Jul 11, 2010 16:44:22 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for the "faire fix"- it will hold me over till I can get out there. Keep those posts coming, so that I can live vicariously through you all Glad everyone had a good time!! |
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Post by blueguy on Jul 11, 2010 22:38:11 GMT -5
It has been fun watching the pub regulars trying to figure out where they belong in terms of new hangouts. I suspect many will be discovering new aspects of faire. The cast impressed me which is new to me. Never seen the whole crew this solid. The young guns on the cast are awesome. The new vendors are amazing. Money shall be spent in the near future. New cast are a blast. Old and new friends tied up chances for shows so I have no comment there.
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Post by Sir Trevor on Jul 12, 2010 4:32:47 GMT -5
Most of the shows we caught over the weekend were cast productions.
Chess, checkers, and the choir.
All very good.
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Post by countessofmidnight on Jul 12, 2010 7:15:40 GMT -5
I had a wonderful time... I always do--- I'd like to comment that "no beer sold" makes no difference, BUT I think that it DID. A lot of regulars that I was used to seeing were not there this year  . I very seldom drink beer at the Faire, being a wine person. ( And, NOT wine coolers. ) The cast was fantastic. I loved the novice nun Sister Pagan. She was SO FUNNY. And, King Richard  ---and his adorable Queen...The King gave my 6 year old grandaughter a ring. You should have seen her eyes ! That's the sort of thing that makes the Faire very special. Sunday I THINK I MAY have seen the winning pic for the photo contest of 2010 in the process of being shot ! A bevy of corset girls was standing in a circle  and Higgins shot an arial view of them  . HILARIOUS !!! Then, he got down on the floor of their circle and looked up while someone took another shot!!! Ophelia's Dance was, as usual, wonderful. Good flirting  ! The Russian Dance & the Tangle Dance are better than ever ! Circa Paleo is my favorite musical group. What a fantastic show they put on ! I was delighted to see Liz and John of Menagerie Music back ( I love it when Liz sings " Black Is The Color " and plays the bones . And Capt. John Stout singing as beautifully as ever. I miss Tom Bedlam. the pirate magician and Tim, the herbal iced tea vendor, and Tomas the Lapidary  ... Oh, Well... I am NOT a summer person and I love those sudden cooling rain showers !... Sunday's shower didn't last long enough  ! Al in all, ---it was a Super first weekend  !!! |
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Been There Done That
Guest
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Post by Been There Done That on Jul 12, 2010 8:27:15 GMT -5
Blueguy, as a seasoned regular, I can ASSURE you that those who hang at the pubs DO KNOW other aspects of the faire. I am a bit offended by your posting because we DO support the performers and WE SPEND at the vendors. It is simply because we enjoy having a meeting spot.
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Post by Scarlett on Jul 12, 2010 10:23:58 GMT -5
Blueguy, as a seasoned regular, I can ASSURE you that those who hang at the pubs DO KNOW other aspects of the faire. I am a bit offended by your posting because we DO support the performers and WE SPEND at the vendors. It is simply because we enjoy having a meeting spot. I totally agree with you! I've been a regular for several years of this faire and it's pubs. I think the pub goers probably spend more at faire than any others. Anyone who thinks the No Beer decision is not affecting this faire is sadly mistaken. I arrived very late yesterday, around 1:30, and I was parked in the front lot, with plenty additional spaces left! In the past, arriving any time past noon would have you parking way back in the second lot, which I noticed was about a quarter full around 5:00. I watched several shows yesterday and the seats were less than half full, or near vacant in some instances. Watching Axl toasting next to a ghost pub was just sad. Don't get me wrong, I love this faire tremendously and want to see it do well and succeed. But the lack of pubs is definitely not going to help this goal. |
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Post by countessofmidnight on Jul 12, 2010 13:12:12 GMT -5
6 year old Kala looked & looked for Squirt the Dragon and, of course, couldn't find him !!!...
SHE LOVED SQUIRT !!!
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We need to have that gathering spot, it's awful.
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