I’m not sure, will have to see how much space my costumes etc. are going to take up. Also what exactly the allowance is these days, come to think…
Actually, if you could even email us (atowncalledrefuge@gmail.com) with ideas or even pictures of how things get decorated for Independence day, that’d be awesome.
I went to the US earlier in the year, and the allowance was 2 bags, up to 70lbs each. I think they’ve changed this year though…
Best to check with your airline
No problem. If y’all can wait a couple weeks 'til things really start heating up here I’ll take a road trip up to the Gold Country (twist my arm) and take shots of some historical Main Streets.
Dunno if I’ll be able to get hold of 30-someodd-starred flags, as they were in the 1860’s, but the basic design was the same and as long as nobody counts, modern ones should work fine. 
… Though, in reviewing my flag etiquette I see that the flag is not supposed to be used as a decoration. So bunting it is. And maybe red, white, and blue pinwheels if there are any youngsters about.
I’m more curious to see if we can get a californian state flag (i know the modern bear flag is different from the old one but hey)
We got paint, we got artists, we got time…
Your other token American is also happy to help advise how things are decorated for the 4th! 
Yeeehawww!
Break out the BBQ and baked beans and coleslaw and corn on the cob and strawberry shortcake! Mmmm…
Strawberry shortcake!!! Yum! 
Don’t think I’ve had that since I left Canada.
Wrong time of year here for strawbs 
Considering this LARP will most likely have a lot happening in an enclosed space, and going on the evidence of that soaring classic western, ‘Blazing Saddles’…
Are you REALLY sure you want to break out the baked beans? 
I’ll add a CA flag to my list, then.
Oh dear! Right, good point about the beans!
Blazing Saddles, the LARP… maybe not something that should happen. Ever.
Unrelated to the above - if anyone has characters that are involved in the Saloon and want to band together to discuss costuming strategies, hit me up with a PM!
[quote=“amphigori”]Oh dear! Right, good point about the beans!
Blazing Saddles, the LARP… maybe not something that should happen. Ever. [/quote]
But you know that if I’m one of the railroad people, I’m going to try and get the others to launch into ‘I get no kick from champagne’’ sometime during the evening- JUST FOR YOU.
I FEEL THE LOVE!!!
Okay, what a weekend. Reconnaissance has been done.
s9.photobucket.com/albums/a83/Si … ld%20West/
Pics from various trips to Old Sacramento, Coloma (gold discovery site), and Columbia. We seem to have hit the mother lode (pun intended) there as far as ideas for set dressing goes since Alan was able to be there right on the 4th. Some might not be perfectly relevant but it’s all still interesting and gives a good overall feel.
Columbia had a pie-eating contest and a greased pole for kids to climb - or try to, at least Back in the day there would probably also have been a hayride and a band playing things like the Battle Hymn of the Republic and Yankee Doodle.
My dad has friends in Amador County archives doing some further digging so I’ll be adding to the album as more comes in. We’ve got bunting and ribbon and whatnot that shouldn’t take up too much of our luggage, and I’m still keeping an eye out for a Bear Flag.
[quote=“Cameron”]Just a repost now that game selection has gone live and characters will be assigned soon:
GUNS, GUNS, GUNS. Peow-Peow!!!
I have organised with an NZ importer of DENIX replica firearms a nice little deal for the society. The realy nice guys they are, If we make a single group order through them it will save them on shipping and handling and they have agree’d to either:
A) Give a discount to the order allowing the society to keep the difference to go back into LARPs.
B) Give the society some product for the gear library.
The link is here HERE. If your thinking about grabing a Denix Replica for this (or other larps), Send a PM my way and you can help out the society as well as get some pretties. You have time to think it over and save up as the order will be placed close to the date of chimera.
N.B. Offer avalible to Residents of Auckland and Those attending Chimera (or other LARP round that time) due to the fact they will be sent up here and distributed to the orderers by us. Others will have to organise pick up through someone whom is attending the con.[/quote]
Reminder that this offer is still avalible.
I am really keen on one of those Sheriff’s badges for Chimera, happy to do an electronic transfer if an order is put in.
I was browsing Simplicity’s website for patterns and noticed they have a whole swag of new ones out, and quite a few of them are western:
Men’s duster coat: simplicity.com/p-3069-mens-costumes.aspx (if done in the right fabric, otherwise it looks like a Sherlock Holmes coat)
Female Colonial and Frontier costumes, with one Saloon girl costume: simplicity.com/p-1761-costumes.aspx
Two saloon girl plus one wealthy lady costume: simplicity.com/p-1769-costumes.aspx
Southern Belle: simplicity.com/p-1793-costumes.aspx (I think this one has been posted before?)
I bought some cowboy boots. Cost me $19.50 including postage. I’d like to sell them and recover costs.
They’re a couple of sizes too small (I take a size 8 ).
Stitching is all good and they’ll polish up mighty fine.
That one is for little girls.