A Thought about Community
From the onset of the Sherwood dream, faire was about
community—about the clans, the gatherings, the shared vision. It was about the fire circles, the potluck
dinners, the communion at the Seven Sisters.
It was about much more than the business of Faire. And over time, it incorporated Summer Camp
and the Celtic Music Festival and Highland Games. But still, the experience was about
attempting to create a place, experiences, and an atmosphere that encompassed a
sense of belonging and comradery. Sherwood was to be a place similar to an
artist’s blank canvas where everyone who wanted to be a part of COMMUNITY would
have their own paint brush to add to the collective collage that would evolve
over time.
It seems appropriate to put our recent Covid 19 Safety Plan in the context of the origins of Sherwood.
When we were preparing to open Sherwood in 2021, after all of us having endured the ravages of the pandemic, we drew a panel of volunteers to the table—consisting of patrons, clan leaders, merchants, entertainers, and management. Our goal was to examine what would be the best plan that all of us around a table could get behind and support … one that would forward the objectives of operating an outdoor venue safely and in accordance with the CDC recommendations. It was not going to be a political decision. It was not going to be a financial decision. It was to be a safety plan that would focus on the health and well-being of our patrons, our participants, and our staff—and still be an event that folk could enjoy and celebrate.
After weeks of zoom meetings and listening to all who participated, we arrived at a plan that we thought was reasonable and would meet the overall safety and health concerns.
I must digress a bit to discuss community.
Since our species moved from hunters and gatherers into communities, we set forth what the thinkers of the enlightenment coined “Social Contracts”—the agreements we would work under to live together. Different tribes formed different terms—different laws. But in general, there was a common thread—what would be in the most functional, best interest of the majority—what would work for the common good while allowing society AND the individual to grow and prosper.
Society from its origins set rules and expectations.
Eventually, those were encoded into laws.
It was a “give and take” scenario…again based upon what was best for us living in a community. Some would not agree and go their separate ways…either to live outside of community, or to form or join societies that better met their own beliefs and mores.
Tribes formed. City-states arose. Eventually, national identities took shape around various philosophies or perspectives of groups of common minded people.
But in all circumstances where society and community prospered, there were written and unwritten social contracts that outlined what values the community held—defining where the individual’s desires and wants would give way to the overall good of the group.
So as others have done in times of danger or emergency or public crisis, we gathered to determine what we could and should do in amidst the Covid pandemic.
When faced with a crisis—war, terrorism, smallpox, polio outbreak, and the like—we have come together to decide on a course of action that will best protect our society, our community. And at times, we sacrifice freedoms, we forego plans, we defer gratification, for the benefit our family and friends and fellow citizens.
Again, our decision in implementing the Covid-19 Safety Plan was not politically motivated or swayed by anything except what we as a group thought would be in the best health and safety interest of our community.
And the plan Sherwood presented was a consensus.
Then we approached the clan leaders because the Prime Directive (mask mandate and social distancing) would have some changes to previous year camping experience. The reaction of the clan leaders was heart-felt and touching. The support to the Safety Plan was accepted. The overall attitude was vocalized so beautifully by one clan leader, “We will embrace this plan and agree to follow its edicts for the good of our community; but in 2022, we plan to party like there is no tomorrow out here.”
So, there it is in its origins, its purpose and goal—temporary requirement to mandate masks and socially distance. And we believe Faire can still be exciting, meaningful and a profound statement that while Covid may cause us to restrict a few of our otherwise normal activities, for the good Sherwood, for the good of the Sherwood community, for all our brothers and sisters who might not have the vaccine in time, for all who might be immunocompromised, we will follow the Prime Directive—believing each other’s health is worthy of the minimal inconvenience. We will lay aside our political persuasions for the greater good (and actual survival) of each other for this one season.
Isn’t that what the symbols of the Seven Sisters, the Fire Circle, the Clans, have all been about? Bringing our best to each other!!!
We understand some who will stay away out of protest. We understand some will stay away for criticism we have not done enough. We understand the inconvenience. But we believe it is the most moral and responsible action we can take to protect our community.
We ask each of you to offer some understanding that we made this decision collectively and in hopes we could pull off a masked event that would be meaningful, responsible, and fun.
Join in the story line of Robin Hood!!! Join us this season in revelry, music and fun—think of it as a Sherwood Forest Faire masquerade.
Rengypsy
