Event – The Village

How Dry I Am – Dry Sites in the SCA

I recently realized Im going to a dry event. It isnt the first time this has happened, and it wont be the last. The site being dry wont keep me away.

I have to ask though, what’s the deal with dry sites? In a world where we are adults, and drinking is legal, whats the point?

I have been to larger events where some parties can get out of hand, but even then a few and far between. Smaller events this is a rarity at best.

Is this a decision made by autocrats that don’t imbibe? Are they the only facilities within 100 miles?

Im not saying event’s cant be fun without alcohol, but I will say in my experience, more people participate in bardics with it.

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Torchlight Melee for Missile Weapons?

You bet! This year at Highland River Melees we are proud to present “The Field of Shooting Stars“.

If you need a reason to come early on Friday, this is it. Exact times to be determined but inspections will start about an hour before sunset, and will begin around sundown.

How will this work? Industrial strength glow tape is how. All shafts will have a charged strip of tape, as will the helms front and back.

This is intended as a missile event, but may be expanded. More details may be forthcoming. If this remains a missile only event, scores will be recorded into the missile combat tourney. This will only be run Friday night as Saturday night will surely be filled with fun and festivities.

We welcome any input, so please drop any comments below!!

Why that last event really sucked, and how we make it better.

What’s the problem!?

We have all been to an event that wasn’t quite what we had hoped it would be. Where certain elements or activities that you thought were given, were missing. it takes a village to make an event amazing!

There are many reasons this could be, but Id like to focus on a few:

Service

Sometimes an activity can’t happen because Nobody showed up. How many of you have seen a post or email asking for volunteers or staff? Did you respond? How often? Sometimes it can be easy to rest on your laurels (or pelicans in this case) and say you’ve done it before. But every event needs warm bodies. The more warm bodies, in many cases, makes the lift rediculously light! Take archery marshaling: 10 marshals in one day reduces a days archery to 2 hour shifts in many cases. Better that than 4 with four hour shifts! But you dont have to be a marshal! Perhaps you can help with set up and tear down, keeping score, etc! This situation can be overlaid on any other activity. You dont have to be authorized heavy to water-bear!

Logistics

Maybe there just isnt room. Take equestrian for example, not every site can support it. But are there crossover activities? Has anyone reached out to that community to see what else might fit their needs? An A&S class on making bridles etc? Think out of the box, and lets try to keep everyone engaged as much as possible. There can’t be combat archery? Then what about an IKCAC target at the range?

Voice

Response gauges interest. Letting organizers know someone gives a crap, can help them energize or stay on task. If someone plans the best thing ever, and nobody cares but the crickets, why devote time and energy!?

Talk to you staff, especially the autocrat. Every autocrat always wants their event to be a success. Motive isnt important, they ALL want success! Did you say ‘hi!’ To your’s? Did you tell them what you’d like to have? With enough notice to get it done? Did you talk to your community of interest? Is anyone organizing the event you want? Can you? Talk to your Barony as well, there is always room for more right!?

Dont necessarily take ‘no’ for an answer! Depending on who you talk to you can actually meet active resistance to the community you care about! I’ve personally heard several times statements to the effect of, “Great, combat archers!” Guess what, we are here to have fun as well. But the same goes with ALL our groups! Explore every option and make sure you are doing your best to make it happen, and that it is appropriate . When an activity was publicized did you respond at all? RSVP? Send a ‘tahnk you for doing this’ message?

Conclusion

Personally this doesnt happen much to me. Most events I go to, Ive loved. We all want to attend events and make each one memorable. It takes all of us to make that happen. Don’t complain about what went wrong, do your personal best to make it right!