whither SPA 2008

SPA has never been on my personal calendar because it has always conflicted with my husband's birthday. This year, it's late enough that I may just be able to swing it. So, dear readers, please fill me in.

How many people usually attend?
Is it essential to go with friends?
Do people usually drink and dine at the hotel?
Should one stay the night to enjoy the best parts of SPA?

Now that you mention it ...

Mishka and AntiToast, I had it wrong - it's not "SPA Knit and Spin" but "Spa, Knit, and Spin." As far as I can tell, it's an annual weekend gathering of spinners and knitters with a focus on informality, booze, spinning, and knitting. On Saturday, an intentionally limited number of vendors turn up. I've heard someone say that the bloggers have ruined the event, which probably reflects a shift in ambiance over time.

Dorothy, sometimes forgetting my social awkwardness and jumping right in works, and sometimes it doesn't. Blogger Bingo at Rhinebeck in 2006 reminded me of high school more strongly than anything else in the past 20 years. Geeks are rarely the popular girls. Nuff said.

Heather, glad to be of service.

Claudia, Brenda, and Julie, thank you for all of the information. Up to the last minute, I considered going for the day. I bailed due to a heavy-duty respiratory thing (cold from hell, or worse). I really needed to sleep and to avoid inhaling fibers. Having a confederate in dodging long waits for mediocre food sounds like the approach for me.

Comments

[Dorothy]

I bet Blogger Bingo would have been not fun. If ever I go to Rhinebeck, I would not sign up for that either. No one would know who I was and that would really suck. Just like high school.

[IHateToast]

oh right. a few commas are going to convince me you're not spinning while seaweed and mint sugar scrubs are being rubbed all over you?

sure. whatever. dream on.

how do bloggers ruin an event like that?

[mishka]

Okay, I give up. What's SPA? Spinning something something . . .

[IHateToast]

what is spa?

[Dorothy]

I say jump in with both feet and go for it. Stay the night, take a friend or not. If you opt out of taking a friend, take a chance and talk to nearly everyone you get near. You never know, it could be the scariest, most fun you ever had.

[Claudia]

It can be great fun. No, you don't need to go with friends, though you might have MORE fun that way as you'll always be assured of someone to giggle with. Last time we went we stayed at the Pomegranate, a lovely B&B in downtown Portland. It was, at the time $125 for a fab room uniquely decorated, with high thread count sheets and a wonderful breakfast. The hotel food sucked and there was a forever wait for it. We ordered in Chinese for lunch - LOL! It's at a new location this year, so I don't know how different it will be... But I think you can have a wonderful time, and I suggest staying o/n if you can as a lot of the fun happens on Saturday evening.

[heather]

Thanks for posting this question! I've been getting the emails from the NETA group that "runs" this fiber fun & have learned more just reading those two comments!

Proves once again - if you want to know, you gotta ask!

[brenda]

Since I live in Maine, I've only gone for the day (Saturday) both time I've attended. Many, many people go for the weekend. The hotel rooms are cheap, but the hotel where all the action is most likely is sold out by now. That being said, rooms at nearby hotels are probably very reasonable. There's always a bar at the hotel, and usually some kind of mediocre food. This year it's happening in Freeport, which is outlet shopping mecca if that's your cup of tea. There are also nearby restaurants. For me, I love to just walk around and see all the knitting and spinning happening, meet people, make my way through the vendors (more than once), and enjoy the day.
Number of attendees? I'd say maybe 1,500 or so? I may be way off because there seemed to be knitters and spinners tucked everywhere.
Last year I went alone (a feat for this introvert), met up with some blogger acquaintances, and had a great time. So let me know if you're going - it's fun to meet virtual friends in the flesh.
I say dive in and stay the night, you'll be glad you won't have to drive home late at night.

[Julie]

Last year was my first visit to SPA. I went during the day with a friend and had a blast. I went to the market place in the morning then took the yarn tour buses around town for the afternoon with lunch outside the hotel in between. I think how you do it will depend on what you want out of it. Last year I just wanted to get my toes wet. This year I'll be sharing a room with 3 friends and bringing my wheel and staying one night. I'm more interested in connecting with folks this year and I think that is much easier with an overnight stay. There were a LOT of folks there last year. I remember the hallway just literally lined with spinning wheels and then discovered and entire room full of wheels and chairs. It was definitely a sight to see.