June Faire Thoughts on July Coronation.

.....In looking back at June Faire there was so much more that went right then went wrong. But when I think of July Coronation in five and a half weeks all I can focus on is the things upon which we need to improve between now and then. The hardest part will be to not drive myself whacko with 'what ifs' between now and then. The hardest thing to learn about autocratting seems to be how to mentor your Team Members without doing their jobs for them. They need to learn and grow and the most exhilarating feeling is seeing something accomplished well and seeing the look on the members of the Team when they realize that they were an integral part of that experience and it was because of their deeds that it was successful.

.....I've got a very good team, and very LARGE. :-) I have no doubts that they will be tremendous.

.....Started pumping up Team Haggis. I'm trying my best to hang low for this week to give them a break after June Faire, but I didn't want to forget the valuable lessons learned from June Faire.

.....Started talking about parking issues. At June Faire we had a lot of SCA people parking in their encampments. This really destroys the medieval atmosphere faster than anything else. Going to work on ensuring that cars get moved down to the Mill Parking Lot as early as possible. RVs don't look all that wonderful in the midst of all the pavilions either. I'm addicted to my RV, so I'm not entirely sure what my best compromise will be. :-)

.....Many SCA people also parked in town along the main street as well as the driveways and access roads for the local inhabitants. This is sad as the residents of Port Gamble have to put up with us as we disturb their very lives as well as their incomes as we block paying customers from the spending money at their stores. I hate having to call out a tow truck, but just the threat of a tow truck seems to motivate people faster than anything else. Maybe people will get the point after one or two tows.

.....We will need MANY volunteers. June Faire had a tough time because of the lack of volunteers. Starting to try and pump the volunteer machine up now. The Volunteer Coordinator, THL Alis, has already begun advertising for volunteers. But she is also going to start personally asking people and groups to volunteer their time. I'm hoping that the personal invitations will help secure more people. We're also going to hit all the peer's lists to see if we can recruit from Them as well.

.....But there were many things about June Faire that I really liked and want to include at July Coronation. The music at June Faire was AWESOME. I want more of it, all over the place. The Arts and Sciences Village concept was good as well. We'll have to see if we can tweak it some and use it at J.C.

.....And although Brighid Ross will laugh hysterically at me for saying this, I have to concede that having the Marketplace next to the Erics is a good idea. Although I will not concede completely. :-) I still think that the best place to have the MOST merchants in the Marketplace would be to have the Marketplace in the bowl. for next year's June Faire I think that we'll be jurying merchants. I've already warned most of them that this is coming. I was actually surprised in the lack of negative response to the evil word of 'jurying'. Most of the merchants realize that June Faire is a unique event. The plan includes reducing the number of merchants on the hilltop down to approximately 30 (plus the five grandfathered merchants). Those thirty that are selected by committee will be chosen based on appearance of their booth and their wares. I've want to jury merchants at June Faire for a while and the tight confines of the Marketplace this year are giving me the perfect opportunity to do this.

.....At July Coronation, the Royals have a beautiful camping area set aside. We're offering them the area just below the cemetery where archery is usually held (their retinue can have the rest of the hillside). It is close to the erics (right across the road and up the hill just a little) and has an absolutely beautiful view of Hood Canal. The sunsets from this location are wonderful!

.....The Marketplace will be located across the highway behind the Espresso Stand. One thing we learned at June Faire is that a tight Marketplace does NOT work. You need wide roads and all the merchants need good access to their booths. We've already decided to limit the number of merchants down to 40. The area selected is not bad and is the closest that we can get them to the erics in general. Lord Brummbar is doing a good job with his first run as Marketplace Coordinator.

.....Going out this Saturday with the Royal Wrangler (HE Cedric) and the Eric Coordinator (HL Ian McInnys) to look at the lay out of the hilltop. The first rough draft and three alternate proposals are complete. We just want to tweak them some before we submit them to the Crown for initial approval.

.....Worked hard at June Faire. Did as much as I could to help. But tried to remain aware to not step on THL Renart's toes. I hate it when other people just come in and take over things so I try not to do it myself when I can help it. So I stayed out of the way as much as possible and tried to help as much as possible. Hope that I was at least marginally successful at it.

.....Their Excellencies Cedric and Brighid looked fantastic as Baron and Baroness. As far as pageantry is concerned, They are hands down the best we've had, by far. They are so quickly developing that 'presence' that is required of nobility. They are only just starting too. Give Them a year or so and I see another Gerhard and Amanda in the making. I'd follow them anywhere.

.....Most of the weekend I felt wonderful. Losing 200+ plus pounds helps getting around June Faire A LOT. :-) I ws constantly amazed at how fast I could get around. It wsa wonderful. Was stupid on Saturday though. Someone offered me some raisins as a snack and I went ahead and swallowed a couple of handfuls without even thinking about. The 22 grams of sugar per handful packs a whallop! I had a sugar attack Saturday afternoon. Was naseated and just downright sick. Ended up in the RV with a temperature of about 102. Missed Saturday night of June Faire, which bummed me out. I really wanted to serve at the feast of Their Excellencies.

.....I was also bummed because I thought that I had accidently locked out Marquessa Laurellen from her stuff stored in the RV. I may be alone in this, but I was grateful to find out that she was having a lot of fun with Rubarb Wine and Mead instead of getting mad because she couldn't get to her stuff. :-)

.....O.K., I've probably put most of you asleep already, so I'll sign off now. June Faire was fun and a lot of work. Time for July Coronation. I hope that you all come as this is my personal invitation to you to do so. :-)

.....Arontius.