07/06/2015
Wow, What a year! In December of 2014,as most of you know, I made the decision to shut down for the first time in 21 years. It's been a nice vacation but now its time to go back to work.
For those of you who don't know, My mother died midway through the faire in 2014. I shouldered the burden and the show went on. In December it became apparent that I would have to be more supportive of my nuclear family. My father was ill and my sister was in crisis and in truth I have still not been able to grieve my Mom's loss. In April my Dad was hospitalized and it was touch and go for a few months there. He is fine now and the future looks bright and promising. I don't know how much time we have but who does.
Oddly this stressful decision has proved to be a wondrous blessing. First the weather was the worst in recorded history for March and April. We dodged a bullet by not opening. I figure I saved about $77,000.00. This meant that I don't have to work myself to death to pay off that amount as a faire in East Texas without alcohol sales can never reach the level of accomplishment that a business in a free society could. We have won an Amazing victory over these last 20 years. Smith county is wet in all but name. I set this stage and lobbied in the face of the unfairly wealthy opposition. Unfortunately that same opposition continues to deprive me and my supporters from having an easy time. The only region in Smith county that is still dry is, you guessed it, Highway 110 South from the city limits of Whitehouse to the City limits of Troup. In short a four square mile box around the Four Winds Faire. We will be on the ballot in the next election to fix this oversight. I am collecting names and addresses of voters to petition this bit of change.
Some of you may remember that we were voted the best Festival In East Texas back in 1998. The reason was we were a great and unique Attraction. We are family friendly, offer a local venue for local artists and we bring people into the Tyler area from outside. When we have art in our community we have something original to sell and when we sell to those from beyond our economic zone we make our region more prosperous. This is very lucrative for the folks that own businesses.
The level of prosperity is very unbalanced here. Many local civic clubs get angry with me when I make this observation. Hey it's not my Monkey ! But it is my circus. Cottage industry is the only way to balance the economy and save our kids from mind numbing labor and poverty that comes from the inability to get a competitive paying job. We are also educational. So Why the ban on our civil rights to compete in a prevalent market in our region. Simple. It is fear of the unknown. Local Churches preached against the faire from the beginning. We might be devil worshipers, We might sell drugs. We might dress up like women and corrupt the youth. Well we aren't and we don't. We embrace all people even those that wreck our reputation. We have tried to be a friend to those that don't fit in as our proto culture will not embrace us. It's O.K. I'm laughing not crying. We've done great good. There's nothing wrong with those Church groups that an open mind and a compassionate heart can't fix. These times they are changing.
Last year we partnered with the Breeze Radio station and got a temporary permit to sell Beer. 3000 people showed up for our very first OctoberFest on Saturday October 4rth. There were tons of kids and families, and a good cross section of our community. This year will be a second pilot test for running Four Winds in the Fall.
Oktoberfest will be held October 3 & 4. It is a community Festival as all Four Winds Productions shows are. I am seeking performers, crafters and merchants and everyone who wants to be a part of this great tradition. If you want things to change you have to be the change you want to see. Oktoberfest is a German Heritage Festival from the medieval to present. There will be period crafts and modern products, We will offer Jousting and dancing and medieval period characters and shows. Tickets are General admission $5.00 per person. $8.00 if you buy a two day pass on or before Saturday October 3. The partnership with Waller Broadcasting continues to be a strong force and the future looks bright. There are booths available this is a great time to check out the Four Winds Faire.
