OFFICAL PRESS RELEASE!

Avery Renaissance Festival Postponed in Dispute with Mason County

September 20, 2008, Shelton, WA. The Avery Renaissance Festival today announced it has elected to postpone its 2008 event as it aggressively challenges recent actions and decisions by Mason County.

"We agreed to meet or exceed every condition Mason County (and WSDOT) imposed for a safe, healthy, and legal event," said Gregg Paisley, venue owner. "From the first meetings on July 31, 2008, we were told we had the proper zoning and therefore the process would be a straightforward matter of meeting standard conditions for public safety, environmental regulations, etc., just like any other project. According to the public records paper trail that began with those initial meetings, and subsequent to numerous County site visits early in the process, everything was moving along smoothly.

We did everything required in a timely and complete manner. Then, beginning on the Friday before the Tuesday, September 9th Commissioner's vote on our permits, without warning, recourse, or communication with us, Mason County suddenly started producing a series of new obstacles and objections based on shifting rationale that reversed previous decisions, appear nowhere in the extensive paper trail to that point, ignored documents in their possession, and in my opinion have no basis in law or policy." "The only thing we know of that occurred in that last week was that a neighboring couple, both executive members of the Mason County Democrats -one of whom had angrily told me: "I will do everything in my power to stop your events"- launched an aggressive campaign to stop the events," noted Paisley. "This is the only opposition I am aware of to an event that, from our previous press releases and email updates, the County knew would create a lot of paychecks and revenue for local residents and enterprises, distribute hundreds of tickets and concessions vouchers for low income families and disadvantaged children, collect admissions tax for the County, provide free booth space for local fundraisers, non-profits, and vendors, and put Mason County on the map as a tourist destination, not to mention be a lot of fun for a lot of people."

It is important to note that this has now become a serious property rights and economic development issue that should be of concern to all Mason County residents. The denial letter uses language and rationale that we believe clearly contradicts both the Mason County Code and the Mason County Comprehensive Plan and has the potential to threaten any and all outdoor events on any property in Mason County by invoking the term "specific built facilities," which has no definition in County codes and policies, no precedent we can find record of, and yet is cited as the basis for the denial.

In short, we find nothing in MCC Title 17 or the Comprehensive Plan that says or implies that permanent or "built" facilities are necessary for outdoor events. On the contrary, MCC Chapter 17.06 definitions do not mention, or differentiate between, permanent and temporary facilities or structures and the definitions inarguably include both. Moreover, in MCC 3.24.020, "Tourism-related facility" is defined as "real or tangible personal property with a usable life of three or more years." This obviously includes canopies, tents, and other temporary structures.

Renfaire, musical, theatrical, and other events held everyday, everywhere in America commonly and legally take place in outdoor areas using temporary facilities (tents, canopies, portable toilets, field kitchens, bottled water, etc.). Mason County now says this is impermissible in the absence of "specific built facilities." So for example, the proposed Washington Renaissance & Fantasy Faire that was denied permits for a Belfair event earlier in 2008 can't have events on their property even if they eventually get new zoning, unless they also have "specific built facilities." Many events that have been held in Mason County for years do not meet the requirement, either.

We invite all affected and interested parties to view the complete paper trail, which consists of dozens of documents and email threads, and reach your own conclusions. We will shortly post documents and commentary plus additional information we expect to obtain from Mason County under RCW 42.56 Public Records Act on www.MasonCountyEconomicDevelopment.com and www.MasonCountyPropertyRights.com.

The Premier Pirate Event - For Families!  The Portland Pirate Festival!

Come experience the region's best musicians and entertainers, a vast marauder's market of pirate treasures, children's rides and activities, and international cuisine worthy of Blackbeard himself. It all takes place in historic Cathedral park alongside the clear waters of the Willamette, and framed by the majestic St. John's Bridge.

Portland Pirate Festival Sept. 20 & 21st in Cathedral Park, St. Johns, OR

 I hope to see you there if you are able.  Be looking for me ! I am the "one" with the eye patch!  HAHA!

 There is a new festival/faire in Washington (YEAH!  Another place to play, spend time with friends and perform!) this year!  This will mark the first year for Avery and moving forward it will be held in July (so as to not be in competition with any other faires in Washington).

Come out and see us!  This one proves to be wonderful and wil be expanding with permanent buildings and all! 

Hey all!  I am heading to joust in Sun Valley ID!  Come on out if you can!  Faire is in downtown Sun Valley Aug 23-24th!  You can get details at www.seattleknights.com ! 

I am so looking forward to this performance.  The show marks my third anniversary with my horse, Skitahr and this is his first show this season.  He fractured a spinous process on his back in Feb and was on medical leave till July!  He is doing great and I am in new (to me) armor!  For the first time in 6 years, I am riding as the blue rider!

Next month, I will be in Portland OR for the Portland Pirate Festival!  This is Sept 20-21st (my birthday weekend).  If you are able to come out, just look for One Eye Jack with the Jack Pack (running kid games such as roll the barrel, walk the plank, sink the ships etc).

If you can, come out and see us!

Avery Renaissance Festival announces
2008 kick-off event and 2009 Schedule

August 6, 2008, Shelton, WA. The Avery Renaissance Festival today announced it will debut on October 4th & 5th, 2008 at Avery Township, near Shelton and Olympia, WA.

Hours are Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 6pm. Afterwards, on both days, from 6pm to 8pm, there will be a family-oriented "Concert on the Green" where guests can sit down and have hamburgers and hotdogs while enjoying a range of entertainment.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 11-16, and free for kids 10 and under. Admission includes the Concert on the Green. Concession prices are low: A family of five can eat for less than $20. Discount admission coupons will be available at Mason County businesses starting September 15th. Agencies and organizations serving low income families and disadvantaged children are encouraged to contact us for free tickets and concessions vouchers.

The 2008 event is a smaller version of the full 2009 Festival also announced today, scheduled for July 10th - 12th, 2009 at Avery Township.

Many of the most popular and best known performance troupes in the area will be there for 2008, including The Seattle Knights, Ye Merrie Greenwood Players, The Pirates of Puget Sound, and many others. "We have some spectacular entertainment in store for our guests," said Dameon Willich, a Festival organizer, "and a wide array of quality vendors. We are just a 90 minute freeway drive from Seattle and 2 hours from Portland, and you don't need to take a ferry or cross a toll bridge to get here."

"We are delighted to be able to make Avery Township the permanent home for this great, new Festival," said Les Trummert, venue operations director. "Organizing a Festival is a daunting task and I give much of the credit to Mason County leaders and government agencies. They make promoting economic development and creating new jobs in Mason County a top priority. From the Commissioners down to every County employee we have worked with, our hats are off to them for their assistance and get-it-done spirit."

The Avery Renaissance Festival is different from other Faires in that plans for 2009 include separate villages for renaissance, fantasy, and historical equestrian and military, but also numerous, secluded smaller villages dotting miles of trails, each with its own historically accurate theme and cultural representation --ranging from Native American to early explorer, pioneer, and immigrant experiences.

According to Craig Jones, another Festival organizer: "Naturally, all the usual RenFaire fun and excitement people have come to expect is here, right up front. But we have found an incredibly rich and diverse assortment of regional historical and cultural societies and groups with important and interesting stories to tell. We are going to carve out little isolated places in our majestic woods so they can set up their villages and tell their stories. The Avery Renaissance Festival will be a discovery and learning experience like no other, and you pretty much have to see the parklands and forests we have here to appreciate how glorious and magical the setting really is."

More information and updates will be available after August 15th,, 2008 at www.averytownship.com