If you were having a large event on your land....

[bczoom]

What are some things to think of/consider?

I started a thread awhile back about turning farm land into a entertainment area ( Here is the link).

We're having our first event in a couple weeks. We're expecting hundreds of people for a full weekend.

Can you think of any discreet things we may need to have or arrange logistically to pull this off?

To give a baseline of things we've addressed:
Food/beverage for approx. 500 people for the weekend.
Toilet/showers...
Electric for (some) campers
Parking
Craft booths
Trash removal
First aid
Outdoor lighting
Generators/invertors for aux. power (main power is coming from a barn)
Fire protection (water truck and several fire extinguishers)
A LARGE liability insurance policy
I've contacted all the local EMS, Ambulance and Fire departments.
T-Shirts for event staff
FRS radios for event staff
Security personnel
There's some small things like insect repellent but don't have much in this category.

So, what are we missing?

Thanks
Brian

 

[Gatorboy]

I guess it depends on what kind of "event" you are having, but a P.A. system may come in handy.

 

[bczoom]

Thanks Dave.

I should have said what the event is.

This event will be a Native American "pow wow". They're coming from all over and will set up and present their traditional garb, housing, dance, drums... We don't have a number but expect probably 100-200 will come. It's open to the public but we have absolutely no idea how many.

I had thought of a PA system or at least a megaphone but they're bringing their own MC so I'd hope/think/expect that he would bring whatever's required.

Brian

 

[California]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What are some things to think of/consider? )</font>

Impact on neighboring farmers, and their impact on you.

Friday I was using the rotary mower to kill Jimson Weed that is coming up in my dry, dusty orchard. I looked over to see what was downwind of my dust cloud and discovered my neighbor setting up several picnic tables. (And probably gagging and cursing me!) They usually just come up from the City on weekends and it never ocurred to me to see if they were there before I began.

Farther out this narrow easement, one neighbor's annual family picnic caused some roadside parking, leading another neighbor to fence her side facing the easement. That portion had been bordered by an beautiful active orchard, now with the fence it is more like a back street in an industrial neighborhood.

You may need to consider exterior traffic control, prior warning to the neighbors, or some other neighbor-impact measure before bringing the city to the country.

[edit - I drafted the above before seeing your second post.]


</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ... thought of a PA system or at least a megaphone but they're bringing their own MC so I'd hope/think/expect that he would bring whatever's required. )</font>

I think you definitely have to get on top of this. An MC is no big deal but if it should turn out to be continual headache-level music that might be heard for miles, it would have a real impact on neighbors. I hope it's nothing more than an announcer!

 

[SnowRidge]

There's an antique tractor event here that draws roughly the same as your projected numbers, also held on a farm. There is a deputy with cruiser on hand to control traffic. I have no idea what the financial arrangements are, if any.

I would at least notify the local LEA, as you have done with fire, etc.

BTW, I think this sort of stuff is usually the event organizer's responsibility. I assume you are only providing the venue.

 

[SnowRidge]

<font color="blue"> "That portion had been bordered by an beautiful active orchard, now with the fence it is more like a back street in an industrial neighborhood." </font>

I hate cyclone fences. They are the harbinger of neighborhood decay.

 

[bczoom]

California - Good thought. All the ground prep work should be completed well before the event. I'm pretty sure the closest house is probably close to 1/4 mile away.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( BTW, I think this sort of stuff is usually the event organizer's responsibility. I assume you are only providing the venue. )</font>

I'm one of the organizers. The venue is at a friend's farm.

We've set aside around 8 acres for parking. You gave me a good thing to consider which is to mark via paint/tape or whatever the general parking area. Hopefully people can figure it out once we get some in there so we don't need a full-time parking attendant. We're going to keep all vehicles well away from the road. Our parking area was specifically selected to keep the cars out of the way from pedestrian traffic and leave access for emergency vehicles.

I'll check to see what the local LEA can do. Not sure but this may have been addressed/considered since our security personnel will be off-duty officers (1 local the other a deputy sheriff).

Thanks for the replies.
Brian

 

[California]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I hate cyclone fences. They are the harbinger of neighborhood decay. )</font>

Yeah. This isn't quite that bad. It's rabbit fence or whatever you call the stuff that is woven with smaller openings near the ground and larger ones higher up. Nevertheless, it conveys a clear and permanent message of inhospitality.

These old orchards aren't rational economic enterprises. At this point they are simply greenbelt, enjoyable by the orchard owners and by those who build on the interspersed single lots. But for some reason newcomers think fencing and security lights should be their addition to this community.

I think we all, new and old, need to think about our impact on the neighborhood when we start something that will definitely have impact beyond our borders.

My neighbor who hosted the family picnic had no idea that his guests, only there for a few hours, would cause such an extreme reaction from the new owner of the orchard between him and the county road. Now he has to look at that fence every time he drives out. The 'rural seclusion' that he enjoyed for years next to a beautiful orchard isn't the same now.

Brian, I don't intend to sound harsh. My point is, I hope your planning is sufficient so you don't have a problem like my neighbor did if you encounter unexpected circumstances, such as unexpectedly large attendance.

 

[LarryRB]

Brian

Our neighbor has these meetings every month. Probably 15 people at the most. All of them have to have their bond fires. Do you need special permits for these bond fires?

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="red"> So, what are we missing? </font>

Possibly missing an emergency first aid tent?

Definately missing bottled water in case it is hot. Not only can you sell it, but you will need it on hand for heat stroke, etc.