*Hello, Firefly! Firefly is a mere two weeks away! What's that? A mere fortnight? Surely you jest! I jest not, kind friends, and with the big event so close we can taste it, I have some information for you regarding early arrivals and gate! -=WHO is allowed Early Arrivals=- Only ticketed FIreflies are allowed Early Arrivals. This includes every individual in the vehicle. No ticket, I steal your truck and kick you out. -=WHAT do you have to do to get on Early Arrivals=- If you would like to arrive early (ie: between noon on Tuesday, July 3rd and before the event officially opens at noon on Weds, July 4th), please email earlyarrivals@fireflyartscollective.org with the following information: - Full name of each ticketed Firefly (as it appears on your ticket registration) - Responsibilities for which each person (or the group as a whole) is requesting Early Arrival - Camp (if applicable) Be conservative; only request Early Arrivals for the minimum crew necessary for your project. APPLICATION FOR EARLY ARRIVALS DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JUNE 29TH. If you are confirmed: BRING YOUR ID. When you register for Early Arrivals, your name will be added to a list. That name MUST be the name that matches your ID that matches your ticket. This goes double if you have a nickname and no one seems to know your real name. No, a SparklePony GlitterHeart Rainbow Brite ID tag does not count as an ID. Government-issued, please. You will get a wristband for the event. Keep it on. -=WHEN=- Early Arrivals may arrive after noon on Tuesday, July 3rd (or, 24 hours before the event gates open). Please note that this is a request for early admittance, not a guarantee. If permitted, you will receive an email confirmation. Early Arrivals may leave and return to the site. Note that NO re-entry is permitted during Firefly. If you need to go to town, make that happen before noon on Wednesday, July 4th. If you leave during the event, you will not be allowed back in. All cars must be out of the woods by 10a on Wednesday, so the Gate can officially open at noon on Wednesday (July 4th). Absolutely no cars will be permitted into the woods after 9.30a on Wednesday. Please think ahead and work your schedule around this. You can all do math to figure out how long it will take to drive up to Firefly, drive up the road, unload, and bring your car back to the parking lot. Make it happen. No excuses. NO VEHICLES will be allowed in the Firefly event site during the event (noon Wednesday, July 4 through noon Sunday, July 8th). -=VEHICLES allowed in the event site during Early Arrivals=- Only 4WD/AWD vehicles may go into the event site. This is subject to common sense: if your RAV4 is piled high with concrete and lead, sagging under the haul, we may well tell you no, you may not drive up into the event site. This is for everyone's best interest. If you get stuck, we all have to help get your sorry vehicle out, and that is time not spent hauling 600 pounds of propane and 700 miles of tulle up the hill. Not to mention you're probably blocking a lot of people in or out. Absolutely no Priuses, no dump trucks, no mail trucks, no UHauls, no Saabs, no Beetles will be allowed into the event site and this list is not nearly exhaustive. These vehicles barely survive the parking lot. Don't ask to drive it up to the event site. Speaking of ill-suited cars: If you own a low-slung muscle car, consider leave it at home. This goes for everyone, Early Arrivals and regular arrivals. Seriously. The “parking lot” is a graded, gravel horse run. Use common sense and if you routinely bottom out while driving through Harvard Square, carpool with someone else. (PS: Our parking lot is slightly different this year. It’s still not paved, but it’s a step closer. PPS: if it feels like you parked in the same place last year you are parked in the wrong spot. This year's parking lot is further down the road than last year; we'll be there to help y'all out.) -=GATE=- Gate is still looking for volunteers! The Gate crew welcomes new Fireflies, checks IDs, gives out wristbands, and keeps traffic flowing smoothly! The wee hours shifts are still available. The Gate is staffed at all times, to help usher new folks in (or folks out), safely, as well as to be the face of Firefly to visitors or neighbors. Gate crew will have a radio with which to be in touch with Rangers and the Board; you're never alone! Check the schedule here: http://www.fireflyartscollective.org/tiki-index.php?page=Gate and either click on the link "volunteer" for your preferred shift, or email gate@fireflyartscollective.org with the shift you'd like, your name, and your email (if you are signing up more than just yourself, please include all information for each person signing up!) Only ticketed Fireflies may sign up for a volunteer shift. -=TICKETS=- Tickets are will-call this year. Bring your government-issued ID. No ID, no ticket, and if you can't prove who you are I will (I bet you all know how this goes), kick you out and steal your truck. Bring your ID. Gate and Greeters are two separate entities this year. Come through the Gate with your ID to match against the Master Ticket List, be given a wristband, and move forth to park your car and see the Greeters for your art ticket and a warm, warm welcome to Firefly! W00t! If you've held on and read this long, I do, in fact, love you. Thank you for your kind patience, and … …see y'all in the woods! xo .clara. Gate and Early Arrivals * -- clara lafrance aerialist ~ performer ~ instructor www.claralafrance.com