Forks trip and Forever Twilight in Forks September 2023

 

Forks and Forever Twilight in Forks September 2023

[this has not been pre-read by anyone else so all errors are mine, a message letting me know would be appreciated of any errors you see, I may review later and edit]

Short version: I went. I sold some items that I’d collected. I had a good time. Things looked to run well. I didn’t have a VIT ticket this year, so only free stuff. Calmer that way. The number of pictures I took was a tenth of usual amount in the past. 

Longer version: Last year was my last year for full weekend with a VIT ticket and all. I had only planned on going for a day and half this year. The cost of VIT is more than I am willing to pay, especially when the value to me is so much less than the cost. I’m not into actors, autographs and a picture with them, so that aspect has zero value to me, and the parties are too crowded and loud. The Q&A panels and the costume contest and interacting with the cosplayers and seeing friends are what interest me. Use to like the bazaar, but I am downsizing so less interested in buying things, still like to look though. Then in May & June time frame I decided to sell much of my Twilight collection and figured FTF would be best place to do that. The bazaar was two days so that increased my stay. Fortunately, my friend, Gay, was willing and able to let me stay at her home. My friend Christine was going to come and sell some of her collected items as well. Unfortunately, she wrenched her knee at work a few days before coming. It turned out that there wasn’t enough time for her to rest knee to drive the distance, so just me and my stuff.

The bazaar was on Thursday and Friday, 14 & 15 September. There was a presentation on Wednesday at 1100hrs by Sam/Caius that I wanted to attend. The car was mostly loaded up before bed Tuesday. It still took me too long to finish up Wednesday to make Sam’s presentation. Very sad about that. I did not adequately consider how much my mobility issues would slow me down Wednesday morning.

I got to Gay’s and unloaded my personal items and decided to get some lunner [between lunch and dinner]. My meds were missing. Opened all my bags and nowhere. So, a trip home was required. From where I found the bag, I must have put it down to add something and forgotten to pick it up to put in suitcase. I looked around the kitchen before leaving the first time and didn’t notice it. Not happy with myself. Suppose to use time to make some signs for vendor table and rest up and instead I’m driving.

I looked at the maps of vendor layout for both days and noticed an error. Contacted vendor coordinator to clear up, eventually the misunderstanding was cleared up. Good news that I was moved inside church on Thursday and undercover Friday at Tillicom Park. I paid an extra $25. Even better news was that my neighbor inside on Thursday was a friend.

I arrived at the church about 0815hrs and was first in line so less of walk, set up to start at 0900hrs and open to public at 1000hrs. A Dave from the church helped me get items to the table inside and then I moved car to parking lot in back. Got all set up slowly but done before open at 1000hrs. The two Celtic design clothes worked out well. I had posted pictures of items and already sold four things, two to be picked up there, two posters to mail after FTF. Everything took up the space on the table. By 1100hrs the ‘big ticket’ items were gone – other posters, white set of books, calendars, box of CD & DVD, perfume. By 1400hrs only had the heart shape tin and few charms and some odd/ends left. Most people had close to money needed, making change was not the problem I thought it might be. People put money in ‘donations’ can for the ‘whatever you want to pay’ items.

Decided not to be vendor at the park on Friday, just not enough left and having to move table and chair, just not worth it. About halfway through Thursday, I thought I could have used baggies for people buying the small items. Oh well, if I do this again, I know. It was interesting talking to folks as they were looking. I did get around to see the other vendors inside. I didn’t go outside to look. Not to buy as I am downsizing, but nice to look.

Started packing up about 2:30pm, closing at 3pm. Coming in I had one box and two bags of items. All that was left fit in the box along with the table coverings and some snacks. Good feeling. Sam/Caius and Paul helped me get items to the car in one trip.

Spent Thursday evening counting my money and was flabbergasted at the amount. There was a $20 bill and a $10 bill in the donations can. I know no one picked up that much from the ‘whatever you want to pay’ trays. Thank you to whoever left those.

Friday, I went to the park and did get a look at the other vendors. Bought a blank book with a lovely night sky cover. Thinking I’ll use it to put memories of Twilight things in it. There was someone doing face painting. I was her first customer – got a butterfly on one side of face. Fun.

There was a big tent set up. Part for the author area and part for the actors signing & picture taking. They had it all covered up where the actors were. Silly, if you ask me. They have never done that before. Usually open so anyone can look and see what was going on. For some reason they were only letting a few people into author area at a time. There was lots of space open for a bunch of folks to mix and mingle.

Friday morning was the breakfast with the Olympic Coven, a VIT item. The other covens showed up at the park about 11am. Chatted a bit and took some pictures. Wandered around some, ran into friends, and chatted. Then sat in shade of tent to wait for the cosplayer appreciation time. Saw the OC as they arrived, hugs and chatted a bit, then they went into see the actors. Good to see that happen. Use to be the cosplayer wouldn’t see the actors. Got some pictures of the cosplayers at their tables. Then I left to find my snack box and then off to Rialto beach.

The snack box was twice the size I thought it would be. Well worth the price and especially with the dietary concerns taken into account. Stopped at 3 River for burger and fries and Twilight lemonade. They now have a GF bun, not just lettuce wrap. I was hungry enough that I ate almost all the fries on the drive. The Rialto beach parking lot was almost full when I got there. I found a spot and ate hamburger and some of the fruit from the snack box in car. Then ventured out with rollator. Wouldn’t get to beach proper but close enough. Found a good spot just off the walkway, see and hear the waves and all. Forgot to put beanie on and the hoodie up didn’t keep ears warm long enough. I took some pictures and relaxed before cold ears sent me back to car.

Stayed in Friday night and so did Gay, both of us tired. I sat on bed with heating pad on back and read on computer.

The costume contest had been moved to late Saturday afternoon. The morning was at the high school to pick up Senior class fundraiser ornaments, see the free panel with guest Wendy Chuck, costume designer for Twilight. Due to homecoming weekend, the panel was in the gym not commons with stage. They had chairs set up on side for those that might have problems with the stairs and seating on gym bleachers. Nice.

The panel was good. Somehow the committee found two deaf interpreters for the four deaf members. That must have cost a pretty penny or maybe they volunteered? There was a ring of chairs set up in front of ‘stage’ area for extra special people.

After the panel I went to look at the shops. There were a couple of changes. The Big Foot store was fun. The gentleman at the register came and opened door for me coming in and going out. Very Nice. Fern and Fog was ok. Clothing, not really interested. The door was difficult to open and get through with the rollator, bruised arm on sign. Pharmacy had some nice Native American items that I avoided buying. Went to Native to Twilight last. None of the new designs captured my attention. I bought an ornament as I’ve done every year.

Then to Miller Tree Inn aka Cullen House for the costume contest. Wondered how that was going to be set up. Got there really early wanted to make sure got parking across the street. They were just beginning to set up chairs in the driveway. Not the best view, but acceptable with my limitations. ‘Heidi and Jane’ were the masters of ceremony introducing the contestants from the porch. The contestants then would walk down the stairs to where the judges were sitting and give them a closer look. There were two in the under 12yo group and lots in over 12yo. There were golden onions, high school biology, skin of a killer, the meadow, mechanic Rosalie, prom Bella, Esme and Alice when Bella first came to the Cullen house. One of the under 12yo were two toddlers dressed as the wedding flowers – adorable, they ‘entertained’ us while the judges tallied up votes. The lady as Esme gave a powerful statement on why she chose to do Esme. The Meadow won grand prize, mechanic Rosalie won best book translation, skin of a killer won most creative, baseball Alice won Alice’s choice, golden onion won most creative under 12yo, biology class won best group, Alice at Cullen home won best craftmanship, the toddlers won best group under 12yo. Good job to all. 

Back at Gay’s I started to pack up car to leave Sunday morning. Considered staying until Monday and attending the after-event party, but I was too tired, wanted my own bed and bathroom. Did not see any of the actor guests at all. I don’t want an autograph or picture with them but be nice to at least see them. They way things are now and been in past, to see them would be the VIT or at least one of the parties where they show up late. Miss the early festivals with no actors and just the cosplayers and attendees. Things change and not always for the better.

I almost got home in time to attend my church meetings, I didn’t. Got car mostly unloaded and each thing unpacked as I went, slow and steady. I did have energy to put clean sheets on bed, but not take a shower, so slept on top of comforter. Two weeks later still need to do laundry and unpack the unsold items.   

More Pictures are at https://pamrice.smugmug.com/Forks-trip-Sep-2023/