nightrythm ◾ ◾ FAIRE NEWS

OK, so I went this weekend to the “Annual Friends of Faire Meeting” because Rikki Ki-something-or-other, one of the faire big mucky-mucks would be addressing the crowd.

First, Ted Durden go up and tried to cheerlead. The crowd was not very receptive. They were polite and all, but I, for one, could feel the smoke being blown up my ass.

Next up was Gerald Zepeda. He also did his share of chearleading, but he knows how, so it went over well. Basically, the two of them were very *rah* *rah* we’re going to have a great 2005 faire, all because of you!

So anyway, miss Rikki gets up and she tells us she’s going to give us the straight dope. She’s going to give us the information that she has.

Information thusly:

Faire is moving. The new site is under negotiation. We will not be told where until it is official.

Booths should be palletized for the move.

Faire will try to absorb the cost for the guilds. Vendors will pay an aggregate share.

Fairesite will be temporary. Therefore, storage will be necessary during the winter months. Costs again, will be such that, Faire will try to take care of the guilds and Vendors have to handle their own.

Tear down can begin when people want to start. If you’re going to fairsite during the week, call the REC office ahead of time and let them know. When you arrive, check in. When you leave, check in.

Any vendor who wants their money back will receive a full refund. They can sit out this season and return next season with no penalty.

There will be an actual meeting for the vendors giving them information as soon as the new site is official.

Keep an eye on the Friends of Faire website – what REC knows will be posted there.

The aggregate information is that she opened with a song and dance about how the loss of the lease is the county’s fault and that REC tried it’s best, la, la, la, soft-shoe.

She also talked a lot about how much we’re wanted in other places. She said that 11 communites have come forward to invite us there. She also said that even though a refund was offered to all the schools that have paid forward, none have accepted. La,la,la.

She also said that there were a number of new vendors who are still clamoring to come on board (25-35?) She also apologized to the vendors and acknowledged that this uncertainty and moving is a great hardship and that they have a great deal invested in the faire. Soft-shoe.

Overall, I’m excited and looking forward to a new site. I feel like we will have one. Oddly enough, that’s something I don’t doubt.

Now I just have to gear up and help my booth owner with teardown. Won’t that be exciting. Yeah, exciting like the Chinese meaning of “interesting”.