Well, according to the Magic 8-Ball[sub]tm[/sub] on top of my computer, “The signs point to yes” that I’ll be attending. Far be it from me to ignore the prognostications of this cultural icon.
now all I have to do is get my car in working order…
Oh, cool, blessedwolf! [hijack]I’m trying to get a new transmission in my hubby’s truck, so I’m feeling your pain with the car thing![/hijack]
I’ve just ordered 20 Dopefest “Putz” buttons from baglady. That ought to cover us, right?
does the happy dance for joy Yeah! My bribe to the Gods worked!!! 
This is getting to be MORE fun by the moment!!! (And so far, I think you’ll be the furthest travelling Doper for this, blessedwolf… no, wait, 2nd furthest. I guess lurker gets it for coming from NY… but we don’t have to count him… he was going to be down here anyway! 
)
At the rate we’re going, no! 
Oh, ok… it will be… I’ll just bring paper, crayons and little safty pins on the off chance that we run out!
I got the fax with the directions from the nice lady at the RenFest office today. I can send the .tif file to anyone that wants it, but here’s the gist…
From points north: Take 275 S to exit 18 W (this is going to be on the St Pete side of the bridge). This is the Rt 686/688/Largo exit. Rt 686 forks three miles west of the exit. Stay to the right and follow Rt 686 to downtown Largo. At US 19, you will be three miles from the festival grounds and Rt 686 changes its name to East Bay Dr. Continue on East Bay Dr West until you reach Central Park Dr. The Largo Public Library is on the Southwest corner of the intersection and there is a red light at the intersection. Turn left on to Central Park Dr. The Renaissance Festival entrance is about two blocks on the left. Follow the signs.
From points south: Take 275 N to exit 16, Roosevelt Rd (keep in mind, if you’re coming from Manatee or Sarasota County, or points further south, you will be going over the Skyway Bridge, and there is a $1 toll to get over the bridge). After you’ve taken the Roosevelt Rd exit, follow the signs for Rt 686 West. At US 19, you will be three miles from the festival grounds and Rt 686 changes its name to East Bay Dr. Continue on East Bay Dr West until you reach Central Park Dr. The Largo Public Library is on the Southwest corner of the intersection and there is a red light at the intersection. Turn left on to Central Park Dr. The Renaissance Festival entrance is about two blocks on the left. Follow the signs.
If you have any questions about how to get to 275, just drop me a line and I’ll do my best to tell you how to get there. I’m pretty much an expert from I-4 & 75 south of 275…
I’m bringing this back to the top because in this thread I’ve found several Florida Dopers who haven’t said yea or nay regarding this Dopefest and may not have seen the thread. I’ve emailed the link to LouisB, 'cause he lives in Seminole and that’s really close!
So, LouisB, Mandi’s Mind 101, tubagirl, SanibelMan, Planman, elmwood? Get in here, 'mkay? And bring anyone else you can find. The more the merrier.
Alright! I have to see if I can schedule the day off of work for my husband and me. I’ll call up Mandi’d Mind 101 to see if she can plan the day off too. I didn’t see this thread last time. Clumsy me.
Woohoo! More possibles!
I have now emailed ladybug, aetbond417, sanibel man and Planman with the link to this thread! We are going to have such an amazing good time! Any other Florida dopers I’ve missed? If so, let me know and I will email them, too!
Hey, guys. I just got back from the Ft. Lauderdale RenFest, my first RenFest, and it was quite interesting. And seeing as March 10th is a Saturday, I should certainly be able to make it, save some disaster. TruePisces, you’re between here (Lee County) and Tampa, right? Maybe we can set something up so I can give you a ride, or anyone else between here and there that might need one.
I am, but I’m not going to be coming from home that weekend. I’m going to be staying up in Tampa with lurker since most of the things we have planned for his visit are up that way and it makes more sense to stay there rather than driving back and forth from North Port every day. (And, trust me, even at 27 [sub]or close enough[/sub] trying to explain to parents what does and doesn’t make sense just doesn’t work! ) But thanks for the offer. Are you coming up for the one in Ybor on Saturday? Maybe we can carpool that one if you are…
TruePisces dances around singing "This is gonna be my best birthday ever!!!
Nope, I’m afraid I won’t be going to the one in Ybor. Underage and all that. 
Let me know how it goes, though!
Happy, happy! I received our Dopefest buttons today! You guys will LOVE baglady’s design! Glad you’re joining us, SanibelMan.
You know… I really, really hate to do this. It is completely oposite my character- I pride myself in being on time or early and showing up when I say I will.
However :(, last week I sent a $100 deposit for a course I will be taking that weekend. This course is not offered often, and I really need the credentials but had I realized it was the same day as this event, I would have postponed signing up. I just did not think I had anything planned that day yet until I revisited this thread and looked at the date. I guess the good news is I will be a certified NRA Personal Protection instructor and NRA Pistol Instructor. But I am really really sorry!!
Maybe I am apologizing just a little too much here, but people who ‘dick out’ really get on my nerves. It is impossible to plan anything if people say they are going to show up and then they dont! Hope you all forgive me.
I love the Ren Fest too, and I really wanted to meet you guys… F*CK!!
Anyway, to make it up to you all- if there are any Florida Dopers who will be interested in getting a Concealed Carry Permit, I will offer my instruction and/or give you a certificate for free!
Sorry again…
That’s okay! That just means that everyone should come to see my band play this weekend in ybor city and meet Bear_Nenno. That is of course if he is still coming.
Damn.
DAMN
Well, I can understand that… I think. But this means you have to buy me a drink Saturday for my birthday instead, since you won’t be at RenFest to help me celebrate!
I’ll think about it…
Well… it might not be as good as meeting everyone, but you’ll get a chance to meet me on Saturday…
Seriously, I DO understand… there are certain things that take priority and, in your shoes, given this opportunity, I probably would have done the same. Good luck in your class, and we’ll catch you the next one around??? (And I’ll make sure to take lots of pictures and keep lots of notes so it will be almost like you WERE there yourself!!! )
Now I’m REALLY glad I can no longer fit in the “Yes, I have breasts” dress that I used to wear to Ren… I wouldn’t have any place to pin it!!!
Sometimes anachronisms are a GOOD thing!!!
Are we going in garb to this or regular street clothes?
Whichever you want, by my thinking. I just can’t fit in any of mine any more. So I’ll (most likely) be in black jeans and a T-shirt, or something close… Whatever it’s going to be, it’s going to be comfy.
Of course, this doesn’t preclude me buying garb there and making a quick change somewhere!
I won’t be in period garb, but I’ll probably wear something with a little of the “flavor” to it. Jeans and peasant blouse, most likely.
Sorry to take up the bandwidth-
Anyone from the area (Largo/St. Pete/Tampa) - please e-mail me the names and numbers of some decent hotels nearby - name hotel, safe neighborhood, decent restaurant, etc. Likely, I will end up staying overnight, not wanting to fall asleep on the drive home (especially with I-4 shut down between Lakeland and Haines City and a hellacious detour - news reports from this morning indicate the area may be closed for the next month at least).
Danke tres mucho.