Gee, I thought that everyone on this forum thought the center of the universe was Binghamton, NY.I like the Iowa idea, but I'm a little biased being in Minnesota.
FYI...FWIW
The geographical center of the lower 48 states lies outside of Lebanon, Kansas.
The geographical center of all 50 states is located 17 miles west of Castle Rock, South Dakota.
The geodetic center of the U.S. is found approximately 42 miles south of Lebanon, Kansas. (Note: A geodetic survey makes corrections to account for the curvature of the Earth.)
I am in a unique position, mostly because I am married to the "Grumpy" one and I know what kind of work he puts into the fest.
AK fest started as a way to get the local members together. The guys would get the chance to meet and "show off" their audio equipment. Being that we have a tiny house, a local hotel was used. Over the years we have learned alot and continued to get better and better. This year was definately the best. But every year comes with its troubles and alot of stress.
Has the topic of moving the fest ever come up, sure it has...like anything else that you take pride in..we always want what is best for the members and best for the fest. As far as finding an inexpensive hotel, they are not that hard to find. But when you start telling them what we need, example: that you need the furniture removed, then the prices start to rise. Holding an event like AK fest is not like renting a hotel for a convention, it is alot more.
So here I am again. I still believe that, even with the economy troubles, we have more good things to do here in the Detroit area with AK fest 09 and beyond. AK fest is something near and dear to both David and I, and without the help of Ernie, Luther and Dave, it would not be such a great show.
Like it was suggested in this thread, you guys can get your local members over to your house, meet and most importantly "enjoy the music".
Nancy
What does retire mean?On another note the fest for 09 is nearly finalize. Yes Virginia there will be another fest. However I am considering this one as my last. At that time I may retire and the show will as well.
Grumpy
What does retire mean?
I want to point out that I am not the only one capable of putting on the fest. I will point out that I am the only one stupid enough to put in thousands of hours for no pay to put on the show.
Its very easy to volunteer to put on the show. Its another to actually do it. Basically its a year round full time job with no pay. Oh yeah. By full time job I mean get up 6am in the morning and work on it till 10pm.
Again lots will offer but there is NO possible way it can be pulled off unless you quit your full time jobs to take on this task.
On another note the fest for 09 is nearly finalize. Yes Virginia there will be another fest. However I am considering this one as my last. At that time I may retire and the show will as well.
So to all those who say "I am coming next year"......well you better cause theres a good chance there will be no more.
Grumpy
I don't want to step on any toes but this is my take on it.
I thought this was talked over with Army and Grumpy to see how much interest there was to move the show?
It seems like there is good interest about having AKfest somewhere else and now it sounds like it will be no more. So be it if that is what you want but why was it brought up in the first place?
If you don't want to talk about it anymore lock the thread or delete it.
So to all those who say "I am coming next year"......well you better cause theres a good chance there will be no more.
Grumpy
This isn't set in stone nor did I offer any of this without discussing it with Grumpy first. And yes I would do my best to be the eyes and ears and do as much as possible to set this up and manage this end of it. I also have a lot of family that would be able to lend a hand before during and after the fest.
I have a very good idea of what the burden Grumpy and Mrs Grumpy go thru every year to put on a show like this. And that is why I offered to find a hotel big enough and nice enough and do some of the prefest leg work over the last couple of days. And the hotel I contacted has the dates we prefer. This thread is only to gauge interest...
Grumpy has to do what is best for Grumpy - please repsect that. They were talking about it - but someone would have to shoulder ALL the work that Dave does now. Please stop if you do not plan to volunteer - because I will NEVER EVER fault Grumpy on this.
As was said - this is Dave's site - he is the head honchoe - he can do what he wants and no one should fault him on that.
It seems as if no one is stepping up to the plate to take over and Grumpy has doen it long enough.