Guy fawkes night

[Steve in clermont]

Guy fawkes night will be going ahead again this year at the osceola heritage park.

I bet some dumb bum asks what night it is.....

[mr&mrssunshine]

well to be fair Easter changes dates !!!!

so what nite is Guy Forks buddy ? isnt he the guy who tried to blow up the King ?

[JulieC]

As advertised on another forum, the location for the bonfire event is actually Champions World Resort Kissimmee http://www.guyfawkeskissimmee.com/

[Steve in clermont]

Yes Julie is right ... it has been moved to champions world resort .... closer for me ...whooo hooooooooooooooooo

[Susie]

Please try to support them, you could get some serious business for a reasonable fee just received this e-mail
from Just received Justin


I would love somebody who can do toffee apples, treacle toffee, British Shops that can sell crisps, chocolates, etc., I want this to help every British business locally and need everyone's support to make it authentic.

The fireworks are booked and the location is on W.192 , I have raised almost enough funds for both fireworks and rides and should have it all funded in the next 4 weeks, I don't anticipate any issue and it is booked either way. It was just too much of a shame to let it go so hopefully everyone embraces it and we can all have fun with it.

[Susie]

Good news much nearer

[GLORIA GRAY]

Nothing to do with guy Fawkes but I want to meet a few of you.....Last year I arranged to come down to the Highwayman but ended up in hospital and had to cancel....... Is the highwayman still trading?? If not where do any of you go to meet other Brits?? My daughter and I are bringing my grandaughter to Orlando to enrol at UCF and to get her settled in rooms. We are there Friday and Saturday 19/20 th August and go back Sunday

[anniefromessex]

Hey Gloria, just wish I was there to meet up with you. Hope you are all well and happy. Enjoy your time in Orlando.

Love Anniexxx

[GLORIA GRAY]

Thanks Annie I would love to meet you too If you are ever back let me know and I will get down to see you

[JustineAssal]

Hi All, I have just been given permission to post so wanted to introduce myself. I am arranging Guy Fawkes night this year in Kissimmee. We started this when I was Pres. of the BACC and after I stepped down, they had issues in 2010 that prevented them from continuing it. Since it was a lot of fun, very popular, and a great way to bring attention to the Brit community, I have agreed to make sure that it happens and doesn't get dropped again so am arranging it personally. I will say that it is 75% funded at this point and is definitely going to be the biggest to date. We are working hard to really make it a great night and have learned lots from the past 2. However, I'm not a professional Guy Fawkes event arranger so please don't throw me on the bonfire if you see something that needs improving, we will get better each year. We would love support, input and any help. If you know companies that might provide wood or businesses that would make good vendors, you are good at bonfire building, or you can help spread the word... it takes everyone's talents! I really believe that this will grow and get media attention so the hope is that it benefits everyone's business!
Anyway, nice to meet everyone and we hope to see you November 5!

[byjove]

well, you know we will be there!!!!

[kirtida8]

Our two families will also be there!

[JustineAssal]

thanks all, we appreciate your support :)

[JustineAssal]

Rides are booked, fireworks booked, food menu (amazing if I do say so myself). Music, entertainment, bonfire wood... all confirmed.

and a new logo, please let me know what you think! I don't think I'm allowed to post links but have attached it instead.
We intend to make this the biggest showcase of British culture that Florida has ever seen.

If we are doing it, we may as well do it big!

[byjove]

I think it is great!!!!

[Susie]

Nothing to do with guy Fawkes but I want to meet a few of you.....Last year I arranged to come down to the Highwayman but ended up in hospital and had to cancel....... Is the highwayman still trading?? If not where do any of you go to meet other Brits?? My daughter and I are bringing my grandaughter to Orlando to enrol at UCF and to get her settled in rooms. We are there Friday and Saturday 19/20 th August and go back Sunday

Hi

Sadly, for reasons I cannot go into I am no longer running the Highwayman but would love to meet up, sorry missed you this time by the looks of things

I tend to go to the Shamrock or Lucky leprechaun:)

[Susie]

thanks all, we appreciate your support :)


I be there too, along with a few folk :) I remember last year when the fire brigade had to step in and put the fire out, lol it did get a bit out of control very quickly

[JustineAssal]

HI Everyone, just an update to let you know that GF is growing and growing, (much of it thanks to Steve in Clermont who is amazing and a huge help!!!!!). We were told about 3 weeks ago that we couldn't have a bonfire in Osceola County (although we have twice before) but after a few phone calls, the fire chief has agreed to let it happen. It was a bit dicey for a minute but as we are back on track, I now love Fire Chief McAvoy and Commissioner Harford and suggest everyone email a quick thanks to ensure that we can make this happen each year. If I'm allowed, I will post their emails so that we can all show our support. It's funny how this is growing so big and is now becoming political as well. I would suggest that we all (collectively) use this platform to show the Best of British culture and really showcase how many Expats live in Central Florida and the financial contributions of the community.

[JustineAssal]

We're on the countdown now to bonfire night. Please inbox me if you would like the flyer to print out, we also have 11 x 17 posters that you can hang in your shop window (if you have one), just let me know and we will get you one. We are expecting more than 2000 people this year and a big giant thanks to Steve in Clermont who has been a Godsend with his tireless work and energy that he is putting into this, it will certainly be a bigger and better event because of his participation.
the actual bonfire will be built on Friday the 4th, so if any of you have wood to bring or would like to participate, please inbox me. We hope to see everyone with all of their family, neighbours, and friends all out having a good night on the Saturday. I'm quite sure we will get your feedback on the 6th so we can see how we did. That's if I have the energy to turn my computer on that day ;)
See you in a few days everyone!

[chris]

We're on the countdown now to bonfire night. Please inbox me if you would like the flyer to print out, we also have 11 x 17 posters that you can hang in your shop window (if you have one), just let me know and we will get you one. We are expecting more than 2000 people this year and a big giant thanks to Steve in Clermont who has been a Godsend with his tireless work and energy that he is putting into this, it will certainly be a bigger and better event because of his participation.
the actual bonfire will be built on Friday the 4th, so if any of you have wood to bring or would like to participate, please inbox me. We hope to see everyone with all of their family, neighbours, and friends all out having a good night on the Saturday. I'm quite sure we will get your feedback on the 6th so we can see how we did. That's if I have the energy to turn my computer on that day ;)
See you in a few days everyone!

Steve's the guy!!! (no pun intended!!) Have a good one.

[Steve in clermont]

awww shucks you're making me blush

[Steve in clermont]

Come on guys dont be a coward .. be a knight and battle the enemy.

Prize for the winner is tickets to medieval times dinner and show .....

dont be a chicken ....

[JustineAssal]

It's the big day, head over early this evening as it will be busy, we will open by 6:30pm to help with the crowds and please bring CASH. The "Guy" competition closes at 7:30pm so if you are entering, please register at the front gate. See everyone this evening at Champions World Resort on 192 for Bonfire night. If you post facebook pics, please tag guyfawkeskissimmee so that we can share!

[kirtida8]

Had a great time! Hope to be there again next year!!

[chris]

Good event, but car parking a big issue. Needs to be addressed for next year or it could strangle the popularity of the event.

[JustineAssal]

Thank you Chris, we are definitely aware of the parking issue and also the long wait for food. They will both be worked on for next year and hopefully resolved. Each year and each new location presents a set of issues that we try to anticipate and learn from. We appreciate the feedback and hope to see you same place, same time, next year. A big thank you to Steve Coonie and John McLoughlin who worked countless hours to help set this up and to everyone that volunteered during the event, Carol & Paul Dudley, Heidi Soukoup, Jean Styles, Janet Cooper, and many others.

[chris]

Justine,
I think you may be stuck between a rock and hard place. IMHO the best location is the heritage Prk where you've held it before as there is plenty of car parking. That said, the majority of Brits I would suspect live on or around the US 27 and as such would prefer the west end of the 192 to the east end. The west end doesn't really have a big venue area as we witnessed yesterday. The area for the event was ample, but the car parking was horrendous for many. I felt for the hotel guest many of whom probably couldn't get back to their rooms easily because of all the visitor parking. Still you have 12 months to iron out the wrinkles for next years event. Well done to all.

[JustineAssal]

Good points Chris but I think that this venue will serve us better in the long run, they are also looking to put speakers through-out which will be better, OHP is mired in politics as they run at a $5 net loss per annum so they are difficult to deal with right now. The food issues I think are the easiest to fix and I think that I already have solutions for those. The parking then is the main issue left and I think that it can be resolved by making agreements with the neighbouring properties and running buses back and forth. I must be a sucker for punishment and obviously enjoy a challenge so next year we'll see how it goes. I also want a normal bonfire back so I am playing politics trying to get this sorted so that the fire inspector doesn't try to shut it down like this year. Funny, I'm not sure why I am doing all of this but it's fun and I love when it comes together and I hated to see it dropped last year so... off we go again!

[chris]

Justine,
I don't know how you organize the event, in whether you have a committee or something, but if you involved the local fire station folks in the practical building/lighting of the bonfire, you would have them on your side from the get go. When you have a stake in an event, you do not want it to fail. That's similar to the UK where many of the 'public' bonfires are set up/controlled by the fire service.
Where we live in Poinciana we have a town Christmas Parade which has grown in its 11 year life. We always had opposition and inertia from the Sheriffs office in closing roads, etc. We now have Bob Hansell as Grand Marshall and he comes with his horses and toys and hey presto we have no issues with even closing the main 4 lane highway through the town for the event. When you are Sheriff sat on your horse at the front, you don't want to be seen as the damp squib.

[JustineAssal]

haha, how long do you have to listen to a story? I have become a politician trying to get this fire going. I spent the whole event with Commissioner Michael Harford and have all of the powers that be, including the CVB working behind the scenes to help stop an overzealous fire inspector from shutting the bonfire down completely. I have had months of this nonsense and worked through it all to then have him tell me last Thursday that we could only have a fire 8 x 8 x 8 . I had to get the Commissioners involved again and that is why there were 3 fires of 8 x 8 x 8 all 16 feet apart. The inspector regulated every step and measured every inch. I am meeting with them all later this week to have a new law put into place that allows us a proper bonfire. If I wasn't already so involved, the whole thing would be absurd.. I'm now way too far in though to let it go so we will hopefully have a proper bonfire next year or maybe I'll run for Mayor and make it happen ;)

[chris]

Justine,
Hmm the politicss and shenigans of Osceola County. TBH it really is a 3rd world county. I can only suggest 2 things that may help. One get close to the Fire Chief Collins, who when I've met in the the past comes over as a good guy and doesn't hail from round here. he comes from Chicago if memory serves me.
The other is a bit of a throw down the gauntlet and that is to talk to Polk or Lake County, seeing as it's 4 corners. I am sure a big tourist/locals event going to another county and the spending that goes with it, would make the big boys lean on this jerk inspector. The Press are usually helpful in highlighting bureaucratic incompetency.

[JustineAssal]

Thanks Chris, I spent the whole event with Commissioner Mike Hartford who was instrumental in curtailing an overzealous inspector. I am due to meet with them all later this week while we have momentum to see what they can do. Now that they have seen how many people came (approx 2500), we have much more weight to throw. I am also meeting again with the Kissimmee CVB. I hope to go in quickly so that it is fresh on their minds but if we cannot affect change, I am never against throwing down the gauntlet ;) I will keep you posted as it's all a bit amusing. I hope everyone likes this event alot because I think that I am going to have to join the Commissioners Civil War commemorative event committee in order to make this happen! just to point out my devotion ;)

[chris]

Justine,
If you need some lobbying, my wife and I know Brandon Arrington really well and he's up for re-election next year!
Also at the CVB my wife Wendy knows the black guy called White really well too.

[JustineAssal]

Thanks Chris, it certainly couldn't hurt for them to hear it from more than one place, Larry White (the CVB guy) is squarely in our court and has been a very helpful supporter from the get go. I will be in touch and keep you posted once I meet with the Commissioner. I appreciate the input and would never say no to help, in the end, we just want a bonfire!

[Susie]

Bit late posting this but my family and I had a wonderful evening thanks to Steve in Clermont, Justin and all the many helpers, what a great night out

[JustineAssal]

thanks Sue, glad you enjoyed it. We are getting ready to start on 2012 already :) as of January, if you know anyone that would like to be a food vendor, please ask them to call me, we are opening it to lots more vendors this coming year and organizing the food differently
t have issues with queues again. thank you :)

[Steve in clermont]

thanks Sue, glad you enjoyed it. We are getting ready to start on 2012 already :) as of January, if you know anyone that would like to be a food vendor, please ask them to call me, we are opening it to lots more vendors this coming year and organizing the food differently
t have issues with queues again. thank you :)


yay i have a proper indian who does catering for events .... i already sounded him out about it....