Marshall, Missouri, June 7, 2440
Lolidayz Journal
Lolidayz has a problem successful festivals eventually develop.
People keep coming.
Marshall does not keep getting larger.
Matthew Johnathan Boone Marmaduke’s proposed new school campus may quietly solve part of that problem.
The Freeholder announced that the new campus immediately adjoining Marshall will be designed not only for anticipated school capacity but with enough additional space to support the festival’s expanding needs.
That matters more this year than it would have even twelve months ago.
Lolidayz was already expecting growth.
Then Marmaduke announced support for the Harajuku Creators Fund and offered 250 creator grants for teams of up to ten Harajuku creators to attend the October festival with V’ren shuttle transportation and associated expenses covered.
Maja Zhang has since persuaded him to add ten additional Qi Lolita teams, with further details still expected.
The result is an event that may need substantially more indoor assembly, workshop, dressing, exhibition and community space than Marshall’s existing venues can comfortably provide.
A school designed with large flexible spaces can help without turning the academic mission into festival infrastructure.
That distinction will matter.
The school exists for students first.
For one period each October, however, some of the same spaces can become workshops, creator demonstrations, lectures, exhibitions, fashion preparation areas and gathering rooms.
Marmaduke has also made clear that this is not intended to sideline Marshall High School.
He intends to rebuild Marshall High next summer.
If both projects occur as announced, Lolidayz could eventually have access to two modern school campuses in or beside Marshall without requiring the town to dedicate valuable central land to buildings used primarily for one festival.
For a festival built around elaborate clothing, craft, workshops and community gathering, that may prove more useful than another conventional event hall.
Social response
- @LolidayzFestival: We are trying very hard not to look too excited about this before the school district has actually designed anything.
- @MarshallLocal: You are failing.
- @OldSchoolLolita: Spectacularly.
- @LolidayzFestival: Fair.
- @HarajukuCreatorsFund: Flexible workshop rooms would be particularly useful for visiting creator teams.
- @NeedleSaint: Sewing tables, lighting, mirrors, secure storage.
- @LolidayzFestival: Exactly.
- @MarshallFireDepartment: And occupancy limits.
- @MarshallMaja: I would like everyone to remember that this is a school first.
- @LolidayzFestival: Absolutely.
- @OldSchoolLolita: Good.
- @MarshallMaja: Also give us good mirrors.
- @QiLolitaMO: The additional team invitations just became much easier to imagine logistically.
- @MarshallMaja: I am persuasive.
- @QiLolitaMO: We know.
- @MattMarmaduke: Unfortunately, so do I.
- @FestivalVendor77: Purpose-built flexible school space beats another tent every single time.
- @MissouriWeather: Especially in October.
- @FestivalVendor77: THANK YOU.
- @MarshallLocal: Missouri weather has entered the planning committee.
- @SkepticalParentMO: I do not want a school designed around a fashion festival.
- @TeacherInMarshall: Neither does anyone else.
- @LolidayzFestival: The proposal is extra capacity useful to both.
- @SkepticalParentMO: That distinction matters.
