Hosting an Event

[D.Oakes]

Halloween is a passion for me, it is the one holiday I will always buy something for.  (other than gifts)  Many times I wait till the last minute and throw something together and usually it is a hit.  (I appear in many family photo albums parents love me because I am scary to all age levels but I am also nice and polite after the screams)  Giving me a budget, sponsors, and a team for Halloween is like putting a fox in a hen house in all the best gory ways   .   I know the end of October there are a lot of big events around.  (including me booking a trip to NOLA for the Vampire's Ball '12)  Mid October is usually the finishing up of the pre-Halloween Autumn Events and the start of some of the early Trick or Treat events.  The Hay Rides by then have already been going on for a few weeks.  There does need to be a "Scare-section" but there also needs to be an atmosphere of "dress-up, come-out, hang-out, see some amazing sights and enjoy."  Like mix up a freak-show, with Carnival, with a haunted house, with a really cool museum, and throw in an amazing amount of art/crafts and it would be perfect. 

Damn it Damnd, you got me really excited.  Of course it can't be done 2011 as much as I want it to be.  I'm making up for it by doing the best and most thought out Halloween display that I have ever done.  Hopefully the animatronics survive because in 2012 I'm going to strive to make this idea a reality.  (they are already being steampunked) 

We need to think up names for it and an overall theme.  Titles are not my strong point.  Naming groups and companies is fun and easy for me, but actual event titles, for whatever reason, I am very bad at. 

[Damnd of Hell]

It has to be consistant with the area's history.  A Steampunk themed, convention under the influence of Jules Verne and H.G.Wells; but manga, anime, and goth welcome as well.  Even a story teller site as well. 

Since it's it's around Middletown, how about: The middle world comic con?  The middle world steampunk/comic con??

[D.Oakes]

Middletown has some great ghost stories, we actually have an early movie starlet in our cemetery.  (I can't think of her name right now.)  This place is quite haunted, it was not until I went to NOLA the first time that I found any place that had a stronger vibe of that.  Even if you don't believe in ghosts, you just get that creeped feeling sometimes.  This place was settled as far back as Pre-Columbian.  Poe in a way would be the best author to describe it, but he has no direct connection. 

I'm friends with the former PSH Anime club president when I was there, I will see if she knows who is in charge now, they would be a big help along with the Middletown Historical Society.  On top of that I have a friend who could find some awesome bands, if he could get some sort of a cut, I know he'd do it.  (He'd probably do it for free if he could get the right bands, many of the concerts he organizes are free from his business...and technically some of the cool things I buy from him...haha)  Look up Coyote Run on youtube, they have a great Celtic feel. 

I need to sleep now, I just realized I have 3 hours before I have to get ready for the Steampunk Festival in Columbia, PA. 

[dweorg]

Going with the Victorian feel you seem to want, but not limiting it to either steampunk or reenacting, you might call it a Heritage Festival.  Some participants could do things related to the history of the town, but NOT as a 1st person impression.  They could talk about town as it was in their grandparents and great-grandparents time, or some other touchstone of town history as a tour guide.  Aspects of the Harvest Festival could be included if they work.  You can have an area that is for modern vendors and a separate (but nearby) one for historic flavored ones.

Pony rides come to mind.

[dweorg]

The wife suggested that perhaps a Bed&Breakfast place could offer a Dickensian holiday dinner.  The staff could be in costume, but the guests do not need to do so.  Many people enjoy being around historic things but are not comfortable being in costume themselves.

[Damnd of Hell]

With an actor as Dicken; orating his story.

[D.Oakes]

I have at my disposal one of the best minds on Edgar Allen Poe that I know of.  He owes me since he got cold feet about going to the Steampunk Festival in Columbia.   (The PA Ren Faire down the turnpike does the Dickens thing so instantly we lose a good number of potential customers just by being the same.)  He has a radio play and a stage plays on the subject which are all quite good.  Not only that but he's also an amazing photographer/editor/restorer.  One look at his Victrola collection throughout his house and his dieselpunk radio room (he doesn't call it that, but it is what it is  ) and you'd know this guy belongs.  If I can find a building in the area of the "Victorian Autumn Heritage Event"  (it rolls off the tongue nicely, but it feels too long...HELP) I know he'd love to have a temporary museum set up which has always been his goal with his collection.  He could also do a workshop on photographic restoration OR turning new pictures old.  (he makes the bulk of us look like amateurs)  Another friend of mine http://www.elainebradysmith.com/ does collage work and was actually the one who accused me of being Steampunk the first time.     She does a lot of workshops on the topic.  I am also pretty sure I can also track down a few jewelry artists.  One of the hubs of the event needs to be the art gallery of yet another friend.  I will of course need to talk to her, but either it could be a single artist exhibit, a "Middletown Showcase," or a "Steampunk Showcase."  Plus she just informed me the other day that she is starting to go Steampunk.  Considering 3 of her friends are already there, it was a matter of time.     She also teaches/paints/photographs/writes as well and has a great series of abandoned mine and factory related pictures. 

Enough of the culture, let's talk about the fun stuff:  ALCOHOL!     Believe it or not small town Middletown always encorporates a German beer hall tent at even the Catholic church's carnival.  I will need to see who runs it because that would be great to encorporate.  For those of us of the green persuasion, I will need to get in touch with the Philadelphia Distilling Company and see if they want to have an Absinthe stand.

There are two large banquet halls in the downtown to supliment the 2 restaraunts, art gallery, and the theater.  One at this time is an art gallery, but that's another story. 

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

And an angry one.

  They could be great places to have music, vendor space, and even displays.   

I'm thinking I may have to set up a committee and get things organized with the borough before New Years...more like November.  I will definitely need to bite the bullet and get team.  I keep forgetting, I'm a human being and eventually I will break down without food and rest. 

[Damnd of Hell]

I offer my meager services in assistance; but living in Hazleton just might limit it to cyber world attendence.   

[D.Oakes]

I offer my meager services in assistance; but living in Hazleton just might limit it to cyber world attendence.   

Unless it become epic enough that everyone NEEDS to be there.  I talked to my friend with the massive radio/Victrola collection.  He is really liking the idea. 

[Damnd of Hell]

May I suggest a steam punk flea market/yard sale type of event as well?  Would make some money to the locals. 

[Lady Chrystal]

Interesting question. I confess I haven't read the entire thread, merely skimmed most of the entries, so I apologise if I'm repeating points already made.

From my own experience of organising and attending events over the years, a few points to bear in mind.

To bring money into the area, make the event weekend-long and try from the beginning to encourage people to come for a looooooong weekend. Make sure local businesses understand the possibilities for selling accomodation / food / anything else.

Set your dates early. You'll need to be able to discuss exact dates with those you need to book - but also to allow possible attendees to block the dates out in their diaries.
 
Use the internet to communicate with everyone. A good website is a wonderful selling tool - but it has to be clear, easy to use and comprehensive.

Have a clear programme of events.

Tell people what they'll be getting for their money (especially important if you have different types of tickets for different days / events / whatever.

Respond to queries promptly! If someone contacts you with a question, get back to them before they have chance to lose momentum.

Hmm, this has turned into a list of gripes from my own experience. Apologies for that - but I hope some of it is useful

Above all - keep us informed on here!

[D.Oakes]

Interesting question. I confess I haven't read the entire thread, merely skimmed most of the entries, so I apologise if I'm repeating points already made.

From my own experience of organising and attending events over the years, a few points to bear in mind.

To bring money into the area, make the event weekend-long and try from the beginning to encourage people to come for a looooooong weekend. Make sure local businesses understand the possibilities for selling accomodation / food / anything else.

Set your dates early. You'll need to be able to discuss exact dates with those you need to book - but also to allow possible attendees to block the dates out in their diaries.
 
Use the internet to communicate with everyone. A good website is a wonderful selling tool - but it has to be clear, easy to use and comprehensive.

Have a clear programme of events.

Tell people what they'll be getting for their money (especially important if you have different types of tickets for different days / events / whatever.

Respond to queries promptly! If someone contacts you with a question, get back to them before they have chance to lose momentum.

Hmm, this has turned into a list of gripes from my own experience. Apologies for that - but I hope some of it is useful

Above all - keep us informed on here!

Gripes are great.  It is through the bad experiences that one can figure out many things not to do.  People will always find a problem with something, but listening to complaints from the past help to build something better.

[Madame Curatrix]

May I suggest a steam punk flea market/yard sale type of event as well?  Would make some money to the locals. 

I second this. As a collector and someone who rents a modest retail space in a local antique co-op and is generally familiar with many of the antique/"junk" dealers in the area (and I understand that you yourself Mr. Oakes also have some experience purveying antiques and old items of interest) it would not be difficult to contact and recruit potential suitable vendors for such an event. Of course, this would be in addition to steampunk crafters, artisans, and creators in general.

[D.Oakes]

May I suggest a steam punk flea market/yard sale type of event as well?  Would make some money to the locals. 

I second this. As a collector and someone who rents a modest retail space in a local antique co-op and is generally familiar with many of the antique/"junk" dealers in the area (and I understand that you yourself Mr. Oakes also have some experience purveying antiques and old items of interest) it would not be difficult to contact and recruit potential suitable vendors for such an event. Of course, this would be in addition to steampunk crafters, artisans, and creators in general.

Madame Curatrix, having worked at an auction company most of high school and having a stand at the Olde Factory for two years in Hummelstown and an occasional one in Adamstown, an overall yes.     Although I need to start going to auction again to reclaim my reputation.