Forever Twilight in Forks 2024

 Forever Twilight in Forks 2024  

Planning for FTF 2024 started in December 2023 when decided to get a vendor table and sell or give away more of my Twilight Collection at FTF 2024. Chatted with my friend, Sherri, and she was planning on coming and selling items also. So, we both signed up on 1 January 2024 and asked to have tables next to each other. Mailed in application and payment. All set. 

Arrangements were made for a room at Pacific Inn. I asked my friend, Christine, if she wanted to come join me and help me sell stuff and kind of start celebrating my 75th birthday like we did for 70th. She was agreeable. So, planning working out. 

July things started falling apart. Sherri couldn’t come after all. Christine received notice for jury duty during FTF time frame. And my back flared up. Without help I decided not to go as a vendor, maybe not at all. Cancelled room and table about three weeks out.

A few chiropractic visits helped me to stand up straighter and for a little longer. So, I was better enough to go for a day to see cosplayers and other friends. I looked at the schedule to pick a day to go. Saw a new thing with the Volterra Coven being patrons of arts and a show Thursday afternoon and then welcome party. Friday was the bazaar. Asked my friend Gay if she had a bed or recliner that I could sleep on for Thursday night. Yes, the recliner was available. So, about a week out, I was going for a day sort of - Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon. I figured I could handle the food and suitcase for the overnight. 

Schedule did not specify where the show was going to be and no signage up. Saw Charlotte and asked her and got directed to Roundhouse. There was a line already. Parked car. Took picture of sign before getting in line. Didn't have to wait long to get inside.

Nice set up. Flower archway to seating area and stage with three (3) chairs. I was directed to a seat with space for rollator. 'Heidi' and 'Jane' were announcers. The ruling brothers came in. A little ceremony welcoming a new member to the coven. Then harpist. Then singer guitar duo. Song in Italian? and then in English. Then ballerina. Then gymnasts/aerial work in center of Roundhouse. The stage was set against the outer wall, so had to twist and turn around to see them. My back was very unhappy, stayed sitting forward to ease pain some. Should have picked up chair and turned it around. Oh well. Camera battery was low so couldn't have taken a bunch more pictures anyway. The sound was terrible, always has been in the Roundhouse. Barely heard and understood what any of the actors said with the new addition scene. It was announced that the cookies at the reception were not gluten free. [Gay told me later they were GF, misinformed or misheard?]

On to Gay's home to unload car and eat before the welcome to Forks party. Katryna and Gay eventually arrived.

Headed over to the Welcome to Forks party. Group picture was over, so lots of people wandering around. The cosplayers were not sitting and selling pictures. They had large boards out with pictures numbered and choose which you wanted. There were a couple of different people handling money – for Olympic Coven and Volterra Coven. The cosplayers were wandering around. Spoke briefly with Vee and Marc. Saw the other cosplayers but did not speak with them. Saw and chatted with a few other people. I was tired and sore and left after about 30-45 minutes.

Friday morning, I got in car and started and warning light – low tire pressure. Got out and looked around and none were flat, so messaged Gay about where to go and decided to stop at Native to Twilight. Shopped there after asking about tire place, West End Motors on way to Ki’tla Center. Saw a couple of possible Tshirts but didn’t buy any. Bazaar for first purchases.

West End Motors was VERY helpful. All four (4) tires needed air. No charge. I thanked them and said that I’d sing their praises on Facebook. Which I did.

The Bazaar was at the Ki’tla Center. Outside vendors were along what is usually a driveway close to the Roundhouse. Much better than out on parking field as it was a couple of years ago. A few more native vendors than in past years, some beautiful knitted vests and sweaters and beanies and ear warmers.

Inside the vendors were in the outer circle and authors on the inner circle. Someone was selling some nice note pads with Twilight cover image in corner. Talked Star Trek with him. Started about getting autographs on some bookmarks, stated learned long ago at ST cons not worth standing in line for autograph/pictures. Not familiar with any of the authors as usual, not really interested in paranormal romance which is what they all are.

The actor autograph/pictures were in another building. People were wandering about. After spent enough time looking at items, went out to see who chat with. Erik Odom was outside entertaining people as they waited to pick up pictures or for their group to go in. He spotted me and came over with big hug and glad I was able to make it. Chatted a bit. Some other people came up, selfies taken. Many of familiar friends were surprised and happy to see that I made it at all. Someone mentioned a Team Pam group. I was amazed by all that. As a photographer I tried to keep in background. I didn’t realize I was that well known and liked.

Heard some not happy with only the professional photographer pictures, none with their own camera/phones. Some not happy with waiting for pictures and if not wait when and where pick up later not clearly stated. There was a bathroom trailer over by that building. That is a nice addition to just a porta-potty, second year had one.

Time to wrap up and leave for home. Stopped at Katryna’s booth, bought a BD ornament. There are two things that I’m kinda sucker for in Twilight – the red truck and pawn/queen image. Chatted a bit. Decided to head to back into town to visit Lapells and see what they have, usually get some huckleberry treats and maybe some Twilight item. Charlene came out and chatted a bit, suggested a history from the three that started things in 2009 for the 20^th anniversary next year of book publication. Kinda sad that the three had a falling out all the way around.

It started to sprinkle as getting back into car after lunch at Gay’s. Ended up heavy rain on drive home. Long slow drive.

Glad I went. The Volterra show and shopping was worth it. Glad I was able to speak to a couple of the cosplayers. Sad missed the shows at the parties, but even if back not flair up I wouldn’t have gone to the parties. Videos are showing up on FB. Nice twist with alternative ending. Good shows by all the cosplayers.

Grateful that I started going before so crowded and before the actors came and while the price was reasonable and just fans and cosplayers.