Gualala Patriot Days approacheth apace and there have been many inquiries to the Redwood Coast Chamber of Commerce office and the GPD’05 email address with questions and concerns.  Here is a hopefully comprehensive list of FAQ for all.  If there is an issue that has not been addressed to your satisfaction, please do send an email to info@gualalapatriotdays.org. 

Q:  How many re-enactors will be coming here? 

Q: Will they be taking up all the rooms in local lodging establishments? 

A:  Most will be encamped in tents {just like in 1776} on the grounds in front of the Gualala Community Center.   The encampment will be encircled with hay bales stacked two high.  The Re-enactors position their tents inside the hay bale perimeter leaving open areas for civilians to visit, and will be having ongoing demonstrations of camp life.  There will be a few “camp follower” ladies that will stay in rooms at The Gualala Hotel that are being provided to GPD’05 by the Hotel’s owner, and one re-enactor with limited mobility who will be staying at Surf Motel in a donated Handicapped accessible room.

Q:  What is the schedule of events for the weekend? 

A:  The Schedule of Events can be accessed from this website, and will be listed in the ICO’s Independence Day featured insert, out Thursday, June 30^th.  In brief, the Re-enactment group will be arriving in force by Friday, July 1^st, setting up their encampment, quartering their horses and checking out the lay of the land for the planned activities the following days.  The first official event, the lowering and retiring of the American Flag and raising the flag of the Colonies will take place at noon by the flagpole at the Gualala Community Center accompanied by a Marine Color Guard* from Santa Rosa.   {GPD’05 has been chosen one of 21 towns in all of California for July 4^th Color Guard Ceremonies. } Friday  evening’s events include a re-enactment of Paul Revere’s ride, following  lanterns displayed in the Cypress Village Clock Tower, filling in for the historic Christ Church.  The remainder of Friday  evening is devoted to enjoying various 18^th Century menu items in Gualala restaurants or attending an 18^th Century Buffet Feaste at The Gualala Hotel.  Friday’s events do not require an event “ticket” or wristband, but participating restaurants may require reservations.  For a list of the restaurants and menu offerings please view the GPD’05 website {Note: List available 6/17}. 

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Q: Where in Downtown Gualala will the activities occur? 

A:  Specific activities will occur over the course of the weekend, in the following locations.  Please be sure to view the Schedule of Events and the Official Map, in the insert and on the website.  {Note: Map available 6/17. GPD’05 reserves the right to change locations in the interest of safety}. 

1.   Along Hwy. 1 in downtown Gualala:  Re-enactment of Paul Revere’s famous ride, Town Crier dispatched to announce News of the Day at various times throughout the event, Taptoo march from Artillery site through town to the Encampment.

2.  Gualala Community Center & Grounds:  Marine Color Guard Flag Ceremonies, Re-enactor’s Encampment, Anatomy of a Battle, Dress-a-Lady, 18^th C. Fashion Show, English High Tea, Ladies’ Arts, Abigail’s Colonial Attire {18^th C. Clothing Shoppe}, 18th Century Divine Services on Sunday,  Special Cavalry {mounted} Event on Sunday and ongoing demonstrations of crafts and life of the times.

3.  The Gualala Hotel:  18^th C. Buffet Feaste, The British declaring Martial law,  Readings of proclamations, Reading of the Declaration of Independence,  Arrests, detentions and questioning of local inhabitants, the British Jail & Stocks.

4.  Behind Surf Supermarket:   All Artillery & Musket demonstrations.

5.  Behind Seacliff Center {next to Seacliff Motel}:   British Recruiting Party. 

6.  Gualala Arts Center:   Alehouse,  18^th C. Supper, Gaming & Storytelling,  Grande Ball

7.  Edge of Woods and Meadow above RCMS and CLSD:   Great Battle of Gualala Wood! 

Q:  Is Highway One or other roads going to be closed? 

A:  Please observe all pedestrian safety laws.  There will be no closure of any public roadway at any time during the days of event!   A few private driveways and/or areas on private property that will be cordoned off and secured as viewing areas for certain GPD activities, open only to those who have purchased tickets and are wearing GPD wristbands.  These areas should not impact normal traffic patterns throughout the downtown area.   Center St. as it extends onto Gualala Community Center property will be cordoned off to facilitate the many events occurring there.  Church St. and its access roadway between the gas stations will have No Parking signs on one side of the street only.  This is arranged and approved by the SCVFD Chief for  fire engines and/or other emergency vehicles to have adequate access.  On Sunday afternoon, the roadway leading to RCMS upper parking lot, beyond the intersection of Ocean Dr. and Church St. /Cypress Way, will have one lane blocked off for pedestrian traffic , with the other lane reserved for use by emergency vehicles.

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Q: What about parking and congestion in downtown Gualala?

A: While it is true that GPD’05 is taking place over a Holiday weekend, there are several other activities going on in the downtown area that occur on weekends, and/or Holiday weekends. Gualala Farmer’s Market {behind the Gualala Hotel on Saturday morning} and Surf Super’s Outdoor BBQ pavilion, operate in the downtown area on weekends in the summer season.  Summer Saturday Art Fests {in Sundstrom Ctr.} are held Memorial, Independence and Columbus Day weekend Saturdays.  Gualala Patriot Days producers are very sensitive to the holiday parking issues and have being doing their best to alleviate parking “abuse” from the attendees of this event.  Three main parking areas on private property have been designated as Event Parking Lots with Ticketing Stands, including a lot specifically for large RV’s and one “overflow” lot, with signs prominently posted to direct traffic from Hwy. 1 to the lots:

South Lot A:   Next to Gualala Arts Center.  Access from Old State Hwy to Gualala Rd.
South Lot B:  Overflow Lot only, off Old State Hwy. next to “the blue house” {not a ticket outlet unless the lot opens for overflow}.
North Lot C:   Bed Rock Products Aggregate Yard. Access from Hwy. 1
North Lot D:   Lot next to JR’s Auto Care and Cottage Carpets.  RV’s ONLY.  Not a ticket outlet. Access via Hwy. 1, left turn off Pacific Woods Road.

Q: How will people get from the parking lots to the event?

A:  The Mendocino Transit Authority Trolley and driver has been hired for both Saturday and Sunday.  The Trolley will go back and forth all day from Lot A to Lot C on  both days,  and will make a stop right in front of the Gualala Hotel, which is both the event headquarters and the center of Gualala’s downtown area.  Only GPD wristband wearers will be allowed to ride the Trolley.

Q: What about the handicapped?  How will they get downtown and to all of the planned activities? 

A: The South Coast Senior Van is transporting the handicapped and those with limited mobility.   We can serve you better if you sign up in advance.  Please  contact GPD’05 to sign up for SCS Van transport.  Call 800-778-5252 or email info@gualalapatriotdays.org.

Q: There are warnings about loud noises and not allowing pets on the website.  What if the noises frighten and disturb our customers and guests? 

A:  The warnings about the loud noises from the artillery and the exclusion of pets were put on the website as a courtesy.    Most are small presentations and vignettes lasting 5 -10 minutes, showing how the musket of the 18^th Century actually operates and discharges. All are very interactive, with Q &A, up close and personal, one-on-one with the public.  The single event that includes artillery that lasts the longest is the Battle of Gualala Wood, which takes place well away from local businesses and only lasts 30 minutes.  Regarding pets, the GPD’05 organizers are aware that pets can be sensitive to loud noises, {i.e. thunderclaps, sirens, etc.} and that a good number of visitors travel with their pets, so felt it appropriate to inform the public that these activities were taking place. The professional re-enactors want the public to be interested and excited by their historical demonstrations, not frightened or disturbed. 

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Q: I heard about arrests of local citizens. 

A:  The local residents being “arrested” willingly agreed to participate in this way months ago and have been collecting “pledges” from their friends and business associates in order to post “bail”, which will benefit the Gualala River Watershed Council’s informational kiosk about the Gualala River and the community.  Les Olsen, a member of the PAHS School Board, is” Bailiff” for GPD’05.   All the “arrests” are scripted events. These “arrests” are designed to add to the drama of the re-enactment.    If you wish to participate and be arrested contact GPD at 800-778-5252 or email info@gualalapatriotdays.org. 

Q: What about all the trash an event like this generates?

A: GPD'05 will be providing trash & recycling containers in the downtown area.  Please view the map for locations.  {Note: Map available 6/17}

Q: What kind of Security and or Insurance will you have at this event?

A:  GPD'05 has hired a professional, licensed Security Company that will be handling event security at the public venues in downtown Gualala.

Q:  All the additional visitors will be a burden on the existing public restrooms.  What are you doing about that?

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