ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

ALABAMA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Minutes of Meeting, 11-2-06

Those present: Darlene Freemon, John Iaria, Anne Iaria, William Freeman, Lee Freeman, John Holcomb, Sonny Phillips, Thomas Ray, Donna Miles, Bonnie McIntyre, Susan Key, Chris Solis, Mary Nicely, Billy Warren, Larry Kimbrough, Her Majesty Queen Ostara, Noelle Smith, Princess Rain, Cathy Myers, Aubrey Gaskins, Perri Scott-Hawthorne, Jan Roblin, Don Green, Andy Betterton, Carol Burhans

The group stood, following the Herald’s command, for the first grand entry of Queen Ostara. King Cynwulf could not be present today.
The group applauded Susan Key for her excellent work in laying out the park for the Faire and Donna Miles for the stellar entertainment that she scheduled for the Feast.
William Freeman reported that David Simpich charged only $1,000 for the two performances of “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” (It was supposed to be $2,000.) With the Faire’s contribution of $500 and the income from tickets sales, there was sufficient money to pay the $1,000 fee and the campground fee for the Simpich family’s RV.
Billy Warren offered an expression of gratitude to all Roundtable members who took part in the feast at UNA on Friday evening, October 27. The evening went extremely well, thanks to the uninhibited participation of everyone.
It was agreed that the Roundtable members will participate in the downtown Florence Christmas parade on Friday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m. Billy Warren will complete and mail the necessary paperwork.
In a drawing, Thomas Ray won a 2006 Renaissance Faire short tunic and Darlene Freemon won a packet of incense.
Billy Warren agreed to write a thank-you letter to Family Ford for transporting the conical dwelling to and from the Faire site.
Roundtable members gave Carol Burhans a rousing thank-you for providing free beverages. They were a lifesaver!
It was agreed that we will make a few one-size-fits-all tunics (not tabards) at our 2007 costume-making workshop so we can have them on hand at the Feast for servers who might not have costumes.
Darlene Freemon thanked everyone who took part in Renaissance Day at Florence High School. It was declared to be a huge success!
On behalf of the Roundtable, Billy Warren thanked Cathy Myers for both the quantity and quality of the stories that she wrote in the Times-Daily regarding the Feast, the Faire and other events during Renaissance Month (October). He circulated copies of one story that appeared on Sunday, October 29, and a captioned picture that appeared on Monday, October 30.
In its review of the Feast, the Roundtable noted these positives:
1. The food was delicious!
2. The jugglers (father and son) were excellent.
3. To hear people at the Feast say, “I wish I could bring my mother/father/friend/other relative” was very complimentary of the evening.
4. The evening flowed smoothly, with Menagerie filling in any “dead” time.
5. The tapestries lent a decorative touch unlike any other Feast.
6. All entertainment was fun!
7. There was plenty of tear-down help, with the tear-down completed by 11:30 p.m.
8. Menagerie (Need we say more?)
9. The Rainbow Dancers simply outdid themselves.
10. The servers did an excellent job.
11. More costumes – and more elaborate costumes - were everywhere.
12. The Viking ship built and displayed by Nancy and Harold Parks was incredible.
13. The Feast was, once again, a sellout!
14. Some people came forward to join the swordfighting group.
The Roundtable noted these areas for improvement of the Feast:
1. There should be one person as a link between the servers and the kitchen to minimize confusion.
2. The chef miscalculated and, as a consequence, depleted the supply of soup before everyone was served. (Some people brought very large soup bowls – which certainly contributed to the depletion.)
3. No Roundtable member should eat in the kitchen because it gives servers permission to eat instead of serve.
4. Servers should wear costumes, not just tabards.
5. The amount of overhead lighting needs to be adjusted so there is not too little or too much.
In its review of the Faire, the Roundtable noted these positives:
1. The weather was perfect!
2. We sold all but two short tunics.
3. Jan Roblin signed ten-year-old posters, evidence that sales went well in the information booth.
4. The boats for children were back in the fountain – and were they every popular!
5. The entertainment was excellent.
6. The bagpiper played at the perimeter of the park (evidence of his concern for the loudness of the instrument) except when he served as the regimental piper for the foot parades on Saturday and Sunday.
7. Words of thanks were extended to Her majesty Queen Freya and her consort, John, for their year-long reign.
8. Torok’s “throne” of skulls was an unusual touch.
9. Jan Roblin had a very successful book signing, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed Bubbles the Dragon.
10. There was excellent traffic for the exhibit of the Shoals Artists Guild.
The Roundtable noted these areas for improvement of the Faire:
1. The position of the Royal Pavilion should be adjusted so that the Royalty doesn’t look directly into the sun.
2. We must continually work to incorporate more educational components.
3. We might consider purchasing garlands for resale as a Roundtable fundraiser.
4. We must secure an indoor place near the park to display the winning pieces in the children’s art contest.
5. There is a need for more Roundtable members to be trained to help vendors find their assigned spots.
6. Our information booth must be improved with banners, signs, etc. before we can ask vendors to improve theirs.
7. Walter Butler’s Dragoons are so popular that they should be moved to another location in the park – the vendors near them are blocked.
8. Renaissance Faire brochures must be available at the information booth.
Billy Warren thanked everyone for a wonderful year. He reminded the group of the Christmas parade on December 8 and the next meeting of the Roundtable on January 18.