An Excellent "Hook" for Public SCA Faires like Ursulmas and Dragon's Mist's Bazaar

[Sir Brand deux Leons, MPel - Deputy for Inspirational Giving An Tir]

(from an email I sent to some folks helping run Winter Bazaar (in
Dragon's Mist) and Ursulmas (in Aquaterra).
I just returned from a wonderful new event in Dragon's Mist called
"Winter Bazaar". We were brain storming ideas that they could do
next
year and I promised I would collect them and email the collection
back
to good Matilda. It occurred that some of these ideas (at least) may
benefit any "SCA Invites the Public" event, and certainly Ursulmas,
as
the first major such event of the year in An Tir, fits that mold. I
present these ideas and look forward to your thoughts. Collaboration
making any such collection stronger than any one mind can make them.
My thanks to Dragon's Mist for such a hearty welcome, well done event
and generosity for hosting a Buy a Life Tourney. (The $125 will be
deposited asap into the SCA LLS Fund)
Best, Brand.
DIG-An Tir, Marketing - SCA, Inc.
A "Welcome" sign at the door, to help encourage people to cross the
threshold and see what's inside.
Advertise what we have that may benefit the relatives of the modern
person: eg "History Homework Help" and "Learn and Play Games from
History" (figuring parents and grandparents, if they think they can
learn something that will help their kids and grand kids do better in
school, will tear down the walls to get at it.)
If there are live musicians playing at the event, pipe that music
outside. People are afraid of what they do not understand and will
avoid that which is unfamiliar. If they smell good food, see
something
bright or shiny that attracts them, or hear good music... that will
make the "this is new and scary" emotion be eased by them sensing
something familiar (like music). If you have no musicians handy,
play
a CD (preferably of someone from the SCA)
More signs up in stores before the event (very labor intensive) and
signs up at the event for the passer by (especially Bazaar, since you
have the other Bazaar going on next door). If you do it with them
next
year, consider joining in on their advertising, if they will allow.
Signage: A plywood cut out of a Knight and another one of a lady in
gown (just one idea) by the roadside might give an instant idea as to
what is happening inviting those inclined to come join. In media,
the
"History Homework and Educational Demonstration" aspect will appeal
to
people with no interest in the Middle Ages, but who want to learn, as
mentioned, about how this info can help their kids.
Video Imaging (on YouTube and on a monitor showing to passerby's (not
so possible for Ursulmas) and colorful static large images (somewhat
expensive, $100-$300) may also bring in people. In general, my
opinion is "if we say 'Come in and see what the SCA is’ it will not
inspire enough of the general public. If, however, we offer them an
answer to what they DO want (help with homework, workshops on the
history of their craft (wood working, embroidery, bobbin lace, glass
work...) THEN their imagination takes hold and they will brave the
threshold." My work as Marketing for the SCA is going to focus on
three themes: 1) Improving value given to subscribers, 2) Improving
our image academically and artistically and 3) improving how we
present to and educate the general population on our chosen period of
History. I see this subtle change of focus (History Homework Help)
as
satisfying all of those goals... AND get more people into our public
events:-)
If your A&S folks enter their stuff already done into local fairs
(County and State) people may be interested in seeing/taking classes
offered at such a fair as WB or Ursulmas.
With the History Workshop/Lecture aspect, you would have every
legitimate right to advertise to all surrounding school districts.
Some school districts have the policy of FREE DISTRIBUTION of
materials (fliers, etc.) to all their schools IF it is from a
Educational Non Profit (like the SCA) and IF it is educationally
related. Such things as a series of workshops would qualify. The
kids
come out, the parents come out, take the classes, and, hey, there's a
tourney going on as well, and bards and merchants... "Whee, let's
spend the afternoon, Mom!"

Now, the big idea that Matilda shared with me (that came from Master
Aleyn the Younger (Barony of Three Mountains) is the "History Faire"
idea.
Not so able to be used for Ursulmas, but for a separate event, yes.
Call it: The History Faire, or Time - Line of History, or Living Time
Line, or some such.
The SCA, the local Shakespeare and/or Elizabethan Guild, the local
American Colonial/Revolution group, Black Powder/Rendezvous-ers, and
local Civil War group ALL get together and present a Living Time Line
event. People start at the end of the Hall where the SCA is. On one
side are A&S Demonstrations. On the other side are the Merchants. As
they progress around the hall, they move up in time. Demonstrations,
Recruitment (some cross recruitment) and merchant sales. Education
and
Promotion. I think it could really work and share the expenses and
advertising. Plus, my feeling is it would be very catchy to the Media
because of the mix of Histories presented. The Media outlet (Radio
TV
Paper) would feel the story would hook in people of MANY different
interests, not just Medieval, for instance.
As far as Educational Content, Cymbric (www.InteractiveHistory.net)
is
a professional educational content provider, and may have some
thoughts on how to structure those workshops.
I hope some of these ideas may spark other even more useful ones.
Best, Brand.
--
GregRobin Smith
Marketing Coordinator, SCA, Inc.
Official Fundraiser for the NW Chapter (Or, Wa, BC, AB, SK, N.Id)
SCA,
Inc.
COO - Five Rivers Fundraising - a non-profit support group
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