I came to the Odd Fellows festival to help spread the word of the LARP working with True Fellowship 52. We thought it would be a good opportunity to showcase the LARP, answer some questions, and see if people outside our lodge might be interested in trying it out. When we got there Friday night, it was a beautiful campground and a very relaxed environment. Last minute setups were being finished and people were casually chatting up old friends, and talking about whose fire they were going to hang around at night, or where they were staying off site and when they’d be there the next morning.
Saturday morning after breakfast we began setting up for tabling. The other members of the LARP committee put on the costuming we used for our regular characters, displayed a number of the foam weapons we use, and set up a looped slideshow on a laptop to help showcase the LARP. We answered questions and had some nice conversations with the people who were passing by to head to the raffle table. We had people from seven different lodges take an interest not previously knowing there were any LARPs associated with odd Fellows. We were positioned next to the Cave Degree table, and got to overhear the history of the site and the work to restore it as a degree Lodge. We also got reminded about the Cave Degree in September and Odd Con. We’d been meaning to register, so took the opportunity to do it at the table. Other booths were fundraising; selling some odd fellows pins and challenge coins, selling food, and some jewelry. It was a lively and friendly afternoon.
We did a live demo of the LARP combat, doing a couple of sparring matches to show off the style of the combat, both how fun and safe it could be. We then took on all challenges, as all the children present wanted to try swinging the foam swords. We even got a couple of the adults to try swinging the foam swords. The Tri-tip dinner was amazing, and very welcomed after all of the LARP combat demos.
I think the Odd festival is a great opportunity to both meet with people from other lodges, as well as an opportunity for the Lodges to show off what they are doing. From events like Hamiltunes and Jane Austin Dances, to the various game nights or communal meal nights hosted by the various lodges. There were an abundance of events I didn’t know were going on, and I wouldn’t have known who to ask because I haven’t traveled to the other lodges. All of these events are going to be made better by more involvement and cross-lodge involvement.
For those worried about sleeping on camp beds, a number of members took up spots in local inns and motels. My wife and I were lucky enough to stay in a cabin in Sierra Park owned by the Crockett Family. So there are options to make it easier to involve yourself with the Odd festival and see what’s happen-ing in the other Lodges.
I know after my first try of the festival that I’ll be back next year, and looking forward to seeing what people are sharing of their lodges.
–By Terrance Seddon