Where should they have a fest?

Trenton, NJ
There's absolutely nothing to do there and it's really gross so it might be a lot cheaper.

 

Actually, there's an obvious alternative with DS storyline connections that isn't even on the poll - having a Fest in England. Locating it in Cadogan Square or somewhere in Dartmoor would be perfect (and VAM's Garth Blackwood costume would be even more appropriate  ). And with the exception of a bare handful of people, EVERYONE would have to travel quite some distance to get there. The perfect solution to one US coast or the other favoring some fans more than others, no? 

Hey, I'm always up for a trip to England! That would be TOO COOL! 

We could combine it with a crossing on the Queen Mary 2!

Gerard

Actually, there's an obvious alternative with DS storyline connections that isn't even on the poll - having a Fest in England.

Now THERE'S a practical suggestion.  Who in hell could afford to go?

Actually, airfare to Great Britain is often much cheaper than flying to either US coast from the other. 

How much?

How much cheaper? Well, I can't say from the West Coast, but I have friends who travel nearly every year to Ireland/England from the East Coast, and they routinely pay hundreds of dollars less than whenever they'll travel to the West Coast. And that's completely without factoring in any sort of airline discount promotions, frequent flier miles, etc. 

However, there's also another alternative to airfare. Just check out Google Maps' directions from New York to London - specifically instruction #23. 

Actually, there's an obvious alternative with DS storyline connections that isn't even on the poll - having a Fest in England. Locating it in Cadogan Square or somewhere in Dartmoor would be perfect (and VAM's Garth Blackwood costume would be even more appropriate  ). And with the exception of a bare handful of people, EVERYONE would have to travel quite some distance to get there. The perfect solution to one US coast or the other favoring some fans more than others, no? 

Your Wish is my command, Sire. Thank You MB.

If you want you can go back and change your votes it is unlimited. I was thinking of adding Canada but decided against it. Though it might be easier for our great JF.

I have friends who just returned from a package tour of London and its environs.  They paid $1,000 each which included airfare, transfers, hotel, full breakfast, tickets to various exhibits and places including a show.  They stayed for a week.  Their only additional expense was for food outside of breakfast (and whatever trinkets they picked up).  They got it through Northwest Airlines.  Back in the nineties I and a friend went to France (the Riviera and Paris) for two weeks on an all-inclusive package tour through American Airlines for less than a thousand bucks.....and it even included a rental car for the Riviera!  (I did all the driving because it was a stick, plus the car was about the size of a kitchen chair, but it was a great addition, plus it got like ten-million-miles to the gallon.)  You can get really good deals for Europe.

Gerard

Hi Everyone!  I haven't posted in a long time and haven't had time to visit the board, so I have alot of catching up to do!

I think New Orleans is an excellent idea- I am traveling there in the next month.  Chicago is a great idea too- havent' been there in a long time.  Queen Mary 2...how about the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach?  It is a great place to stay- Long Beach is filled with great places to explore, funky shops, great restaurants and the architecture is great...

Haven't visited Chicago in a long while and would LOVE a Fest there.

I and my fellow Chicago-based DS friends would be thrilled at the prospect of hanging out with Midnite, Gerard, CastleBee, and anyone else who wants to join us in our fair town.  The Windy City has undergone quite the renaissance in the last decade and is a cool place to be in the summer (not necessarily temperature-wise, but everything else-wise).

Ben

I voted for the South.  It would be the most convient for me.  Since I am currently putting myself through college, I don't really have the money to go to LA or New York for a fest.  :-

However, there's also another alternative to airfare. Just check out Google Maps' directions from New York to London - specifically instruction #23. 

That's fine for Johnny Tremain aficionados, but every true Dark Shadows fan would start from Widows Hill instead of Long Wharf.

Queen Mary 2...how about the Queen Mary docked in Long Beach?  It is a great place to stay- Long Beach is filled with great places to explore, funky shops, great restaurants and the architecture is great...

As I recall, the "Ghost Tours" on the permanently-docked Queen Mary in Long Beach are the most popular of all the attractions.  It's something that started as a hoot in October for Halloween, and is now an every day event.  Once again, picture DS fans at a Fest hunting spooks aboard the grand, retired ocean liner!  Listening for the sounds of crunching and crashing in the bow when she accidentally collided with an escort vessel, unfortunately taking the lives of countless souls on the escort, during her service as a WWII troop transport.  Or listening for the "splashing" sounds of the ghost woman in the empty First Class swimming pool..............and seeing her wet footprints!  Or how about the ghostly voice and laughter of the little girl who haunts the lecture room, formerly the Tourist Class swimming pool room.  And the gentleman seen in vaporous form walking along the promenade deck.  And don't forget the crewman who has been seen and heard in the confines of the engine room.  And there are several staterooms, now used as hotel rooms, that have resident spectres who will move your personal items about and pull your bed sheets down.  My, there's lots for DS fans to enjoy aboard the old Queen Mary!

Gerard