[TheForge] "Official" news from ABANA / Dave

[Dave Mudge]

Well Dann,
It sounds like you have a good time.
It doesn't sound like that event has much in common with most of the
blacksmithing conferences that I have seen. Are the promoters of your
event a not for profit, 501c3 ?
Is it a re-enactment group? Does the group put on the event?
Are you staying in a tent because it is part of the re-enactment or
does everyone do it out of choice? Personally I rather sleep on a
mattress in an air conditioned room away from the bugs. We get more
than enough bugs and heat and rain here in southern Louisiana.
Thanks for your opinion.
dave m

On 2/20/07, dann at wctatel.net <dann at wctatel.net> wrote:
>
> Dave,
>
> I am used to demonstrating at events where 5,000 + visitors walking around
> is -below- average.  We also have black powder gun shoots, cannons going
> going off,  throwing spears, tomahawks, etc and still get affordable
> liability insurance.  Fees at these events are a tiny fraction of the
> current ABANA paradgm.
>
> For example, I've been demonstrating at the Big Island Rendez Vous since
> 1993.  We run a 4 day public event, but many of the demonstrators and
> venders set up for 5 or 6 days.  The setting is on an peninsula of a Lake.
> On Thursday and Friday we have "School Days" and bring about 4,000 school
> kids through to see the demonstrations.  Saturday and Sunday is open to
> the general public with much larger crowds of public.  Working
> participants like me probably total close to 1,800 individuals, that are
> camped in 400 plus canvas lodges.
>
> Gate fees for public are set about  $10 each.  Trader fees plus Camping
> fees for Venders are under $100.  Demonstrators and Venders bring their
> own tents.   I get free admission for my family and self, and plus getting
> paid for demonstrating.  I don't get rich from the money, but it covers my
> expenses, and there is a simple pride in being a paid demonstrator.
>
> Most of us have a wonderful time swapping stories and telling lies.
>
> I still can't imagine a $250 gate fee, much less a $600 gate fee proposed
> for New York.
>
> Dann
>
>
>
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