I received an offer to go in with someone else who already had one roommate, so we need one more lady.  Please respond here or via private message if you are interested.  Thanks -- Julie

Thanks, Bette, I know in '09 they already had the dates and location for this year set, so I had hoped they might have it in place this time.  I personally would like to see it go back to Brooklyn next year, but I fear it's going to outgrow hotel venues very soon.

OMG, THANK YOU, JOE!!  You have just made my weekend.  I so wanted to be there.

Yep, that's our situation, too.  We had planned to go this year, but a significant chunk of money had to be used for something else.  I hope next year for the 45th Anniversary as well -- the 40th in 2006 was my first Fest.  I'll have to go solo the years it's in August, since my son, who plays football and is in band, has camps going for both during the time the Fest is normally held.  Those who are going next week, have a great time, and post reports EVERYWHERE!

Julie  :-)

I know this is early but enjoy who ever is going to it next yr!

I think I can safely say that at least I, and maybe my family, will be going next year.  I hated missing this year after going the past three years, but I had a date conflict.  So we'll see what happens.

 Our beloved Jonathan Frid is there.  He may not be non-ambulatory, but most likely he wouldn't be able to chase Alex Stephens around the stage hitting him with his cane anymore.  Imagine if he needed some assistance; what would they do, just gawk at him and say there's nothing they can do?

We kind of saw the answer to that last year when he fell on stage during his Sunday program.  There were half a dozen people, including his assistants, right there.  But the fans?  I was in the second row both Saturday and Sunday last year, and had someone try to take a seat I HAD to save because it was for my then 12 year old son, who was sometimes with us, sometimes with another family (and we gave up the seat when we found our son was with the other family).  We had to rotate out getting food, bathroom, etc. the entire weekend because if your seat gets left open, it WILL be taken.  Are there really fans so pig-headed that they couldn't show some respect to those who could not stand?  I'm with you, Gerard, I've been angry about this since I first read it this morning.

It is high time, after over 25 years of this, that this nonsense stopped!  Imagine how, if the movie takes off, movie fans start showing up.  We will be laughed to scorn over this utter idiocy of stampeding like cattle.  It's even true of the banquet, and while I'm at it, HOW ABOUT A DRESS CODE???  It irks me no end that people can't even be bothered to put on something besides T shirts and jeans for something they've paid $60 to attend.  If they can afford to do that, they can darn well get something decent to wear.  I'm not asking for black-tie (even though that was, in essence, what my family and I did last year because we were combining it with another occasion), but I think a no-denim rule would not be out of line.

Oh, before I go on ranting, I'd better just stop.  Thank you to those who have listened.  Julie

Great video tribute 4everfridean. 

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.   

What a great new look for the site!  Props to whoever took care of the change, it looks great!  Julie  :-)