The great thing about costume collection so early is that you eliminate running into crowds; there were a handful of people waiting under the tents at Cascadia when I arrived a little after 5:30pm. The only caveat in what should be a very quick process is the stages that TRIBE has set up that one must go through in order to collect. I must note than Fast Track masqueraders skip several stages and collect their costume much faster than those waiting to pay off a balance.
Stage 1.Upon Arrival you are given a number and seated under a tent in the car park area until your number is called. Red numbers for fast track white for everyone else.
Stage 2. In batches of 10 numbers are called and you are directed upstairs to a "holding room". This is where the bar was set up and I was curious as to why no one was partaking of the cocktails when I learned that you had to PAY for it.. so much for a "distribution lime" as advertised; nice one TRIBE! So everyone sat patiently waiting to be called again, looking at a DVD on repeat of TRIBE's presentations from 2005 to 2007.
Stage 3.Your number is again called and you are ushered upstairs on the OTHER side of the building where you keep shifting down the chairs until you reach to a cashier to pay.
Stage 4.You get to a cashier and payment is pretty swift. After showing ID and handing over the money you sign a receipt saying "PAID IN FULL" and then you are off to collect your costume!
*This is the Fast Track stage, you simply go from stage 1. to a "holding area" in the lounge, then to here:
Stage 5.You then hand over your recepit to an attendant at the costume collection counter, your box is brought out, you verify each piece is there and you are also instructed as to what goes where. At this stage you also collect the Goody Bags.
Stage 6.After collecting your costume, headpiece and goody bag you move to another area to get wrist bands and members guide, for which you have to sign upon receipt. At this stage a "delivered" sticker is attached to your box and you are home free!!!
All in all a pain free process but remember the number of people collecting costumes was pretty small, this will be a totally different experience for those collecting next week! Also, Pheasant frontline masqueraders did not collect their back pack as it was not ready (I am getting a sense of Deja Vu!).
TRIBERS please note the new start location on TUESDAY..
Please note that all faces were blurred to protect the identity of Pooh (in a Tigger costume).
