Shadowgram Update #167 (Fest Dates & Location)

[adamsgirl]

I've got two rooms booked already and they're just about full. I'm so grateful it's been announced and so looking forward to it, even if it's a night short of most festivals.

As for the train, those of you flying in will want to get to Grand Central Station (ask at the airport for the shuttle bus -- probably cheaper than a taxi, unless you share with other fest-goers). Once in the main terminal, go to the MetroNorth counter, Hudson Line. This is the train that will stop at Tarrytown. Make sure, though, that if it's an express train (depending on the time of day), it actually does stop at Tarrytown. I believe so, but it's been a while since I took MetroNorth. When you get to Tarrytown, the hotel won't be too far, but a taxi is definitely what you'll need.

Here's something else. I believe if you buy your train ticket at the counter in Grand Central, it's a tad cheaper than getting on the train and buying it from the conductor, but again, I'm not sure. I do know that's definitely the case if you buy a round-trip ticket. If you actually know when you'll be going back down to Grand Central, you might want to consider buying that round-trip ticket.

This is just great news! I'm hoping to meet lots of you there, at least, those I haven't already met! What fun!

[loril54]

I'm still pushing for a Fest in the Pacific Northwest, Aren't we worthy up here. Portland does have the biggest book store west of the Mississippi, and Niki.  We have Amazon and Microsoft in Washington. Maybe someday.  

Oh I forgot View Master was also out of Portland. I could go on and on. Did you ever buy the DS reals.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

We have ... Microsoft in Washington.

I'd leave Microsoft off of the list if I were you. They're more of a reason to stay away! 

 


Seriously, though - it might be nice if the Fests could be held in other parts of the country other than the NY/NJ area, CA, Las Vegas and Dallas. But it doesn't look like that will ever happen...

[Janet the Wicked]

It's easy.  Someone might even pick you up if you nice.

I always nice.

[Janet the Wicked]

It's easy.  Someone might even pick you up if you nice.

It's easy even if you don't have someone to pick you up. You go from the airport to Grand Central Station, you take the train to Tarrytown, and then you take a taxi to the hotel. I don't remember the particulars (like if there's a shuttle from the airport to GCS or what the train number to Tarrytown is (the last Fest there was in 2004 afterall  ), but all that info is probably here on the forum on the Calendar Events / Announcements '04 boards. And even if it can't all be found there, all one need do is ask about it when making reservations or by checking out the airport and GCS Web sites (which is what I'd originally done). 

Thank you. Thank you. I'm going to rent a car at the airport. I'm going home to Massachusetts for a visit after the Fest. If they let me in.

[Nancy]

I always nice.

Liar liar phoenix on fire
Hanging from David's wire.

[Janet the Wicked]

Liar liar phoenix on fire
Hanging from David's wire.

Little fly upon the wall
Ain't you got no shoes a'tall?
Ain't ya got no shimmy shirt?
Ain't ya got no petty skirt?
Boo, fly! Ain't ya cold?

[Janet the Wicked]

Mixed feelings on this. I am extremely grateful that the announcement has finally been made.  It could not have been a moment too soon. However, I am discouraged that California is once again neglected (why is there never a West Coast Fest two years in a row?)  For those who can go, have fun.

Please don't give up so easily, Stoksie. You can find a way to come out east, cancha? We'll miss you if you don't.
Besides, I'm the secret guest. Now ain't that enough to make you run to Pan Am and buy a ticket?

[Bobubas]

Who here remembers when there were Fests on both the West and East coasts every year? But those days are long gone.  ::sigh::

I remember MB. It was 1991 to be exact.    Los Angeles in June and Thanksgiving weekend in NY.  Ah, the good ole days. 

[sheenasma]

I highly recommend that anyone going plan on the banquet. It could be the only meal you get in that hotel.

n

[Darren Gross]

Ruth's Chris steak was terrific there, but insanely pricey.

High end restaurants like that seem out of place, when attached to a hotel.

[MsCriseyde]

I highly recommend that anyone going plan on the banquet. It could be the only meal you get in that hotel.

The "surprise guest" reference in the SG announcement may very well refer to wait staff in the hotel restaurant. If they bother to come by your table, it'll be quite surprising.

Hopefully, they've straightened that situation out, but the last Tarrytown Fest was the first time I spent the week before in NYC eating cheesecake every night and God knows what else and came home having lost weight, and I am not joking.

[Gerard]

I wish I could go!  Now, for those of you who are going, and are wondering how to get to Tarrytown, whether to take the train, how about if some of you go together into renting a car, or even a van?  If a bunch of you arrive at, let's say, the Newark Airport, you can pick the wheels up, after chipping in, and head on up.  Or, if you want to really get into the swing of things, you can rent a convertable and as you're driving up to the mansion, one of you can pretend to be Quentin and stop the car and put up the roof when it starts to rain (you can all also fight over who gets to be Tracy).

Gerard

[michael c]

tarrytown again?

wasn't the general consensus that tarrytown '04 was sparsely attended and even somewhat "lame"?

i didn't love it but no matter.i live only about an hour away by train so i'll do the day trip thing...and eat breakfast before i leave home.

[joe integlia]

i remember when there would be a west coast and east coast convention in the same year. those were the years jonathan frid would sometimes attend as well.