Topic: To the NEAR-Fest Community......

[W1RC]

Dear Friends of NEAR-Fest:

We are all in a highly unprecedented situation!   

As you all know by now Emergency Order No. 26 issued by the governor of NH on April 4th, 2020 decreed that NEAR-Fest XXVII would not take place as scheduled on May 1st and 2nd.  I am glad that the decision was made for us but had it not been so ordered I would have cancelled the fester without hesitation because it simply is not safe or wise to have a hamfest at this point in the Coronavirus timeline. 

In June the Fair Association decided to cancel the 2020 fair. As a result we do not feel fully confident that our staff, exhibitors, vendors, attendees and the local townspeople will be safe if we come to Deerfield in October so the Fall 2020 Fester simply will not happen.  Now the ?next one? will be NEAR-Fest XXIX on April 30th and May 1st, 2021. Rest assured, no matter what happens down the road, there will be a ?next one.?

Of course this event has affected us financially because, despite the reason, we still have financial commitments and obligations we must meet.  Coupled with our lower-than-average attendance in 2019, mainly because of weather issues, real and perceived, our treasury is low and needs to be replenished.  In order to do this we have decided to begin selling advance admission tickets to NEAR-Fest XXIX starting on October 1st, 2020. 

Regretfully, we have no choice but to increase the price of admission purchased on site to $15.00 per person.  Inside parking passes will remain $10.00.  However if you purchase your tickets and parking passes in advance you will only pay the traditional amount of $10.00 for admission that has been in effect since 2007.  The Fair Association has advised us there will be no changes to the camping/tent fees this year.

In the event that NEAR-Fest XXIX has to be cancelled any advance tickets and passes purchased will be honored at the next NEAR-Fest, whenever it may take place. It?s like the Post Office sells ?Forever? stamps.  By buying them now you are investing in the future of NEAR-Fest as the premier radio enthusiast event in the Northeast and helping to ensure our survival.

Additionally we are creating a special new ?VIP Pass? that will allow the holder certain perks like early entry (0800) for themselves and a guest that is valid for the lifetime of the purchaser at a cost of $250.00.   Should you wish to make a donation of $100.00 or more NEAR-Fest is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and is able to issue a receipt for tax purposes.  Please note that purchasing tickets or the VIP Pass is not considered a donation.

As an added incentive we will be holding a special door prize drawing for advance ticket buyers for an Xiegu G90 HF 20W SDR transceiver valued at ?around $500.00.? To ensure that you are eligible you should buy your tickets before  midnight December 15th, 2020. Drawing will take place at a time and location to be determined, probably at a radio flea market or other such public venue prior to the opening of the gate at Deerfield.  The winner does not need to be present to win. 

Full details on purchasing advance tickets and the special prize drawing may be found here:  http://forum.near-fest.com/index.php?topic=1508.msg3516#msg3516

Thank you for your understanding, support and investment in the future of our beloved NEAR-Fest.

73,

Michael Crestohl, W1RC
Benevolent Dictator,
New England Amateur Radio Festival, Inc,