Dreamhaven Update #22

In the last post we discussed the Hobbit Hole attribute as one of the three aspects of our camping module. Today we'll take a look at the second leg of lodging on-site at Dreamhaven Park: Campgrounds.

As you can see top-center on the bubble diagram to the right, we've got an area reserved for camp grounds.  This portion of the park will be meant to accommodate all you rugged types who love to get out there with your tent and roast up marshmallows.

Our camps will be a simple design ranging from totally open "national park" style camping spaces, 3-sided to adirondack spots.  Each site will have the standard grill for cooking food and plenty of space for groups to pitch a few tents.

This area of the park will be connected to the larger body via trails and walkways, making it easy for people to move about, explore and enjoy the larger amenities.

All camping areas will have access to a site bathhouse with running water, showers and flush commodes.

We hope to provide a welcoming and educational environment to LARP groups, Boy and Girl Scout troupes, families, weekend gamers, SCA/Amptgard and renfaire groups and more!

Check out the website for even more information!

Dreamhaven Update #21

As we work with Coupe, our vision takes increasingly better form which always makes me excited to share it with everyone!

I've made a ton of updates to the website over the past couple weeks really elaborating on the various module bubbles you see in the diagram to your left here, but I always like to give time to the particulars.

We've discussed the vision for the Castle, Great Hall and Market Plaza so this week I thought I might share a little bit about our vision for the various lodging facilities.  The yellow circle represents the area of the park that we intend to put a 3-fold style lodgings.  Visitors will be able to choose from The Inn, the Hobbit Holes, or Open Campgrounds.

Originally, the Hobbit Holes were going to be Yurts, but in the process of researching cool, sustainable options that were in-theme with the overall park, I stumbled across the Hobbit Holes.

This was a super-exciting find because who wouldn't love to camp out in one of these??  Hobbit Holes also presented serious advantages that are in line with our philosophy of green-tech and sustainability.

They do not require much disturbance of the terrain to embed them into a setting (if you're putting them under a hill, rather than on top of the ground).  If they are above-ground rather than partially covered, as they become overgrown with natural terrain their heating and cooling costs are dramatically reduced.  It's really a win-win.

We hope to have anywhere from 6-12 Hobbit Holes eventually installed in the camping area with basic amenities inside.  You can check out the website for even more information!

Fairyed Treasures Giveaway & Dreamhaven Update #19

In order to lessen the cruel sting of Monday's we start this week's post of with a giveaway from Fairyed Treasures! To your right you shall witness a beautiful fairy with a unicorn figurine that is just waiting to be yours!  This raven-haired beauty has a $40 retail value - you want to put her on your shelf, you know you do. :)

All you have to do is enter to win.  Start by visiting Fairyed Treasures on Esty and telling us in the comments below what your favorite item from her shop is.

All entries do get verified so please be honest!

We have been incredibly busy here as we seriously gear up toward the Fairyblossom Fesitval (the proceeds of which go toward Dreamhaven and the Black Knight Society).  This has required a bit of a diversion of time and energy but this week, it is on our plate to begin to polish up our modules, one by one.

Over the last few weeks of radio-silence, we've been collecting information, business plans, and general market research as relates to the various portions of Dreamhaven (plus selling a TON of our Coupon Books for fundraising, for which we cannot thank our participating vendors enough!).

This weekend will be the Wenatchee Renaissance Faire, produced by our partner the Black Knight Society.  If you see us there, feel free to ask any questions at all!

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Dreamhaven Park Update #18

Hello Dreamers!  This week I'd like to talk a little bit about the Castle portion of Dreamhaven Park.  This module of our park is meant to be comprised of three particular aspects, The Castle, Banquet Hall and Conference Meeting/Breakout Rooms.

As you can from the bubble diagram, it is centered off to the left of the main entry and plaza.  This will help keep the plaza and handmade shopping mall the center of the park for small businesses.

We've added in a parking lot to the left of the Castle so that wedding parties, office events or other groups have a way to access only this area for their special occasions.

The Castle: We are looking toward a castle that elicits a little more fantasy and a little less medieval in appearance.  To the left here is a sample picture of what we might consider.

The interior of the castle will have a limited amount of private VIP sleeping rooms for rent with an open kitchen for public use by the guests.

This would be the perfect place for the Bride & Groom, their wedding party, parents, VIPs and Guests of Honor for conferences or tournaments, Kings and Queens with their courts for SCA and Renaissance Faire style events.

Inside there will be a selection of amenities such as hot tubs, pool room and more with the potential for rooftop activities.

The Great Hall: This area shall be adjacent to the castle with private and public entrances.  The large open space will contain a commercial kitchen for use by caterers or other parties renting the facility.

The Great Hall will be the perfect area to host large assemblies, dinner parties, receptions, tournament gaming and more.

With the versatility for meeting, conference or banquet standards, it is great for the grand ceremonial feasts, bazaars, seminars, balls, and other events your company or gaming party may wish to host.

Conference Rooms: Smaller break-out rooms are adjacent to the central Hall in order to accommodate workshops, panels and team-building or pre-qualifying events.

Role-playing groups will have the ability to host their major events in the hall with private gaming rooms for smaller scenes, combat rooms, or tangent storylines.

Artists, Crafters, Trainers, or other instructors can use these facilities to host hands-on workshops, classes or sessions as suits their particular business.

As a reward for taking the time to read all that, I'd like to just offer you this week's Giveaway from Hennatopia for a hand-made, henna-inspired felted gift box!  FREE to enter!

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Dreamhaven Update #17

Last week we had a meeting with COUPE Architecture to go over the first draft of our bubble diagram.

We spent the better portion of December streamlining the concept for the park, omitting superfluous elements and categorizing the attractions that we are set on, in order of priority.

The next step was to get these modules into a bubble map, the purpose of which is to get a generalized idea of the Dreamhaven layout, and to illustrate the adjacencies between various park features.

This first bubble diagram shows our Entry and Public Plaza concept, highlighted in the yellow circle.  The plaza is where the public market will be located.  Here are some of the features of the plaza:
     1) All 3 market strips open directly onto the plaza for shopping
     2) Meandering pathways leading in and out of the plaza
     3) Lawns and Benches for seating
     4) Mounded, Earth-scaping opportunities
     5) Hardscape
     6) Serves as a secondary (rooftop observatory)
     7) Artist work-live spaces are located here

The Plaza is defined by an open "center" with three market rows. Each market row caters to a particular type of shopping: 

     1) Permanent Handmade Market
     2) Farmer's Produce Market
     3) Day-stall Merchant's Market

Permanent Handmade Market
Our permanent shops are steady fixtures in Dreamhaven.  Owned an operated individually, these stores are sub-leased to high-quality artisans, crafters and costumers! Each permanent storefront has living/storage space above the retail outlet so that our artists may live or keep their studio on site.

Farmer's Market
Located adjacent to our community P-patches and homesteading garden plots, is the Farmer's Market. This row of stalls and shopping are dedicated to food products, general produce, flower vendors with an emphasis on providing a retail venue for our on-site gardeners and community farmers.

Tend your garden plot and sell the fruits of your labor to campers, over-nighters, our customers and the general public. Campers staying on-site can pick up a few fresh groceries to take back to the cabin or campsite!


Day-stall Merchants 

The Day-stall market strip is conveniently located off the main plaza. It features a daily variety of vendors and artists based on a first-come-first-served basis. If you would like a place to host vendors for your event or gaming group during your stay, this is it!

Looking for the perfect cosplay accessory? Did you forget your best earrings and necklace? Did your sword frog break? Wand holster left at home?....Did you leave the soap in your shower?? Worry not!

The merchants in our plaza have what you need to outfit and supply yourself and your merry band of intrepid explorers accordingly for your time with us at Dreamhaven.

Grab your mug, get your growler and head out on that quest. You'll want it at the tavern for a tasty flagon of mead as you boast about your conquests of the day!

                  

Faeries for Nature Giveaway

Hello my faerie friends! This week's giveaway is brought to you by Faeries for Nature.  Faerie Queen Rose features enchanted hand-crafted jewelry, accessories and find gifts for every faery and mermaid's fancy.
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Once of a kind designer originals including steampunk, faery, mermaid, renaissance, gothic and woodland styles.  Put some magic in your life with enchanted jewelry, candy filled enchanged roses and other magical gifts from Faeries for Nature.

Dreamhaven Update #16

Slightly late on announcing the news, please pardon the delay! Our relationship with the Black Knight Society has been sealed.

This is an exciting partnership that mutually builds our community by donating a portion of our proceeds toward supporting their organization.

The Black Knight Society is an organization developed to foster a love for education and exploration through the field of interactive recreation.  Hailing from the Wenatchee Valley in Washington state, they are visible in their community often volunteering or hosting mini-events and fundraisers.

Each year, the Black Knight Society produces the Wenatchee Renaissance & Medieval Faire (#WenRen), which is held at Wenatchee Valley College.  2015 dates are: April 25-26!

They performing and putting on educational panels and workshops that demonstrate various aspects of medieval life, combat, dress & fashion, and more!

A portion of the proceeds from every Coupon-Fairy Booklet goes to support this non-profit organization.   This year (2015), you can save $3 off your Gate Ticket by purchasing a copy of our Coupon Booklet!

If you're interested in checking them out more, or looking for information on how to join up, you can find them either on facebook, or contact them directly at: ncwblackknightsociety@gmail.com