BrickFest PDX 2007 Castle: Official Planning Thread

[The Blue Knight]

Just in case the word didn't end up getting around both I and Remyth are coming for sure, however just to cover it now, we will not be staying in the motel there.

Is there a specific time we need/should be there on Friday?

Hey guys,
We will be unloading some people on Thursday night. Friday we will be in there early, but by 9am you should be able to wander in. Ask for me and I can look after you for a while. Where will you be staying if not in the hotel? The underside of the bridges, while troll-free, are ducedly uncomfortable.

Richard

[Remyth]

Where will you be staying if not in the hotel? The underside of the bridges, while troll-free, are ducedly uncomfortable.

Hehe. We have some family and friends up there, and we will be planning on staying with them. This is to cut down on the cost for us.

Side note: My market is almost finished.

In Christ,

[Merlin of Lego]

As mentionded in the planning email Ideas for the eastern battle.

I have beed brain storming the battle in the east and had was thinking about things that leave a mental image. What if the Dragon army had a dragon or two or three on their side.

Think the trolls as they break through the doors of Minas Tirath in Two Towers, it took several knights to take one down.

These would be battles with in a battle. I was thinking about three dragons one of them possibly already dead. We could have men throughing chains over the dragons men hanging onto chains and the men are hanging in the air from the dragon.
For scale I was thinking the green creator dragon. It could be several of these or just some MOC dragons about that size or a mixture.
I do not own any of these but I know several of you got these last year at NW brickcon for the speed build although some of these were drafted.

There could also add some wizards and their powers (Red Wizard and a fireball). We had wizards athe NW Brickcon but they were just present to be seen, not realy players in the action. I would not want these to be the dominate image, but with the size battle we are talking about these add diversity to the battle and break up the large mess of men.

I am looking for feedback on these ideas. If we are going to do the dragons we need to make sure we know who is bringing them, and know what the wizards can do.

[BreadMan]

with the size battle we are talking about these add diversity to the battle and break up the large mess of men.

Shhhh!!

[Thomas]

Yes what Brendan said!

But hey anyone still interested in participating in our little display and a little battle we may have going on at Brickfest please get a hold of either Brendan, Frank, or myself and let us know what you'd like to bring.

Sorry this thread has been quiet lately but we've got a separate email list going so to keep the final presentation a surprise.

Thomas Rafert
BrickFest 2007 Castle Co-Coordinator

[wunztwice]

Sorry if this isn't quite the right place, but I figured others would benifit from it as well.

I was wondering about parking. Is there any free parking nearby, or a way we get free parking form being involved with BFest? Also, when we unload, where will be unloading from? I know the area somewhat and was curious.

Thanks in advance!

[The Blue Knight]

If you are staying in the Red Lion you ought to have free parking there. The convention center is across the street from the Red Lion so you can just walk.

As for unloading, Thursday you will be able drive right into display room to unload. Unloading on Friday will be a little trickier, as you will have to park on the street and unload while not leaving your car unattended. Anyone with individual concerns PM me and will help coordinate Friday unloading.

[wunztwice]

Thanks Blue!

However, I am not staying at the red lion, nor any hotel close by. Is there a way I would be able to still get the free parking there associated with BFest? OR at least that lot with a small fee?

Sounds good about Thurs. unloading though!

[The Blue Knight]

We'll keep these one-offs offline. You're PM'ed

[BreadMan]

We'll keep these one-offs offline. You're PM'ed

Actually, I wouldn't mind if you kept it public, as I was kindof wondering the same thing. I'm only staying at the Red Lion saturday night, is there reasonably priced parking nearby where I can park during the day friday?

[The Blue Knight]

Cool with me if it's cool with the admins. It is planning, and I'm not sure where else this would go?

I advised Thomas as I will advise everyone; park at the Oregon Convention Center. If you are staying at the Red Lion, park there for free (for hotel guests only) and just walk across the street. There are a dozen or more hotel/motels in the area, and I'm sure any have free parking for guests, and are in walking distance.

Disclaimer: the BrickFest organizing "committee" of which I am one, gets absolutely nothing if you park there, this is only my personal opinion. Decide for yourself.

My slightly-more-than-two-cents; The parking is a MAXIMUM $8 a day, and that is very reasonable. You get to leave your car in a fairly secure area (no guarantee of security of any kind is implied), it can't be closer (right underneath the OCC), and it is unlikely you would find anything cheaper-enough to make it worthwhile. I live an hour away and will be driving in and parking each day. I will not park 5 blocks away wondering all day if my car and contents are still there and dreading the hike back at 11pm through a highly urban area, just to save a buck on parking. It's not even close to worth it. That said, the neighborhood the OCC is in is just fine. I have no reason to think anything nefarious would have there as opposed to anywhere else.

Here's how I would do it if I were coming from out of town---
-THURSDAY Looks like we'll be able to unload cars directly into the convention hall starting by noon, a huge plus! I would unload my car if I was arriving Thursday. Then go check in at my hotel. If your hotel is close, walk back to the OCC. If not, take the MAX which has a stop right at the OCC, or pay the $8 and park. Or go take in the sights.
-FRIDAY Same deal about parking or walking. Keep in mind that we will have the event at the Lego store from 10pm to 1am and it is a 15 minute drive away across town.
-SATURDAY Ditto Friday except the store thing.
-SUNDAY Check out from your hotel and park at the OCC for the day.

$8 to $16 for parking for a weekend in a major metropolitan downtown area. Doesn't get any cheaper than that. I know in the Western states we balk at paying to park our cars, but I'm going to spend about $32 in parking for the weekend. Well worth it for the improved security, the convenience, and the price.

All--Please PM me and we can exchange cell numbers. We can arrange to meet people and help with logistics on site. Everyone pitches in and helps unload cars, give directions and all that. This is the best group of strangers you'll ever meet! Strangers until March 30th of course. This is going to be a lot of fun, I can't wait. Seeya there!
Richard

[Dunechaser]

But hey anyone still interested in participating in our little display and a little battle we may have going on at Brickfest please get a hold of either Brendan, Frank, or myself and let us know what you'd like to bring.

PM sent. Off to reply to BreadMan's e-mail thread as well.

[robin]

Kudos galore to Brendan for pulling this all together, and burning the midnight oil to build it all together. Thanks also for giving me the chance to square up 'ole Drachenschlaff and drop it into the layout.

Far and away the best castle layout I've ever seen at a con/fest/display!

Castle highlights for me:

- Tom Rafert's "new and improved" Castle landscape (gorgeous swamp and trees!)
- wunztwice's Wolfpack Tower "re-mix"
- J1A3L5's island castle
- Darkie's cathedral
- Remyth's market

... and of course, the epic battle!

Can't wait for October! (I bet Brendan's in no hurry for it at this point, though ... thank God for our short, selective memories, eh? In a couple of months you'll be looking forward to doing it all again ... )

Robin

[BreadMan]

(I bet Brendan's in no hurry for it at this point, though ... thank God for our short, selective memories, eh? In a couple of months you'll be looking forward to doing it all again ... )

Months? I'm already planning what I'm gonna build for next time

[Bruce N H]

Setting another thread loose. Looks like you guys put together a great event. Now on to Brickworld!

Bruce