Here is a link to the start dates of Colorado Schools.
http://www.cde.state.co.us/edulibdir/directory_05.pdfOnly one school district lists a start date earlier than 8/8/11 this year: Falcon 49. All the other school districts have official start dates of 8/8/11 or later. There are a few year-round schools in both Douglas County and Cherry Creek, however it would be nigh impossible to plan around those families because there are always some students in school in that case. Charter schools do not have to follow the official district schedules and frequently vary widely from year to year. Again, planning around those schools would be almost impossible. About the only dates that all of the schools have in common are Federal holidays, but I haven't heard anyone suggesting that we move Dragonfest to, for example, Labor Day weekend. That said, I have school age children, and, if Dragonfest conflicted with their school (which it doesn't), I would send up part of my family on the wednesday and I would follow with my children on Friday afternoon. We do sell weekend passes. I, personally, know more people who would be affected negatively by a date change than positively. That said, I will also be calling charter schools and verifying start dates with districts within Colorado. I'll happily gather information from other states as well if people feel it necessary. I want everyone to have the most accurate information possible before this decision is made.
The point has been made that, with enough time and motivation, people can plan their work around Dragonfest. This is not true for those of us who work at shows. I own a booth at the Colorado Renaissance Festival. I am under contract to be there. If I cannot fulfill the contract for all 8 weekends, I am out of the show. I know several other people who attend Dragonfest who are in the same boat. Dragonfest moved to an earlier week in 2008 and it became much more difficult to attend for those of us closing up Faire, but we still manage. Please don't make it impossible. This same argument holds for the people who worked the new Denver County Fair this year. When you work shows or vend at shows, you can't change the show dates. You can't just rearrange your schedule and get someone to cover for you.
Another argument that has been brought up is weather. I've been looking at the rain data for Bailey on wunderground.com. I am working on collating the last ten years or so of data by week. So far I am not showing a statistically significant difference in rainfall between the last week of July and the first week of August. I'll certainly post my findings and research as soon as I finish.
If our main impetus is to increase attendance again, then I will volunteer my time to talk with people outside metaphysical shops and at events such as the Witches Ball. I will ask them if they've ever attended Dragonfest and why or why not. I will volunteer my time to write letters and poll past members to find out why they don't come anymore. I will present my findings, whether or not they agree with my opinion, because I do want what is best for my community.
This year was my 9th year in a row at Dragonfest. I look forward to seeing everyone. I love being on the mountain so much that I volunteered on staff for 7 of those years. I still volunteer for extra workshifts and try to help out wherever I am able because this is what I love. This is my community. I feel that it is wrong to push out existing members in favor of a nebulous group that hasn't been coming all this time. I can put a face on people who would no longer be able to attend. Can anyone put a face on new people who would definitely attend if the dates were moved?
Blessings,
Lori