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December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Just keeping this thread active. Alpep and I will add details to this thread as they are made available. Some info is worth cross-posting.
For those making the trek to the Ovation Factory Tour 2004 the weekend of March 26, 2004 here is the current info.
We will be picked up at the Hotel early on Friday morning so check-in Thursday evening.
Homewood Suites by Hilton® Hartford/Windsor Locks
65 Ella Grasso Turnpike
Windsor Locks, CT 06096
Tel: 1-860-627-8463
The Rate is 99.00 per night plus tax and includes a FULL breakfast and a dinner (I think a buffet) on Thursday evening.
The point of contact is Ronnie Maloney, and you MUST reference Ovation Fan Club to get the special rate.
Please note that the rate above is LOWER than the internet rate, so YOU MUST CALL for reservations.
For those that do now know, Bradley International Airport (BDL) is the closest Airport
For those coming into BDL, the hotel is 1.2 miles from the Airport. Collect your luggage and go to the multi-hotel kiosk. There is a call button for Homewood Suites by Hilton® Hartford/Windsor Locks. INSURE YOU SELECT THE CORRECT HOMEWOOD SUITES HOTEL. HOMEWOOD SUITES @ HARTFORD/WINDSOR LOCKS. They will send the van, it's only 5 minutes away.
"Two-room suites with separate living and sleeping areas and efficiency kitchens. Complimentary hot breakfast daily and full dinner Monday through Thursday. Complimentary airport van service and within a 5 mile radius of hotel, business center, meeting room, outdoor pool, jacuzzi, sports court, grills, and fitness room. Pet friendly ($150.00 non-refundable deposit with a minimum 7 day stay.) Conveniently located 14 miles north of Hartford, CT and 14 miles south of Springfield, MA and minutes from Bradley International Airport."
Although no regular dinning room is in the hotel for other than the meals/snacks they provide, there are resturants across the street and in the area.
Homewood Suites by Hilton® Hartford/Windsor Locks |
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October 2002
Posts: 26
Location: Western PA | I'm in, the person who took my reservation had no problem finding the OFC reference.
See you in March |
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August 2003
Posts: 5
| I might of missed it, but is there anyway to confirm that we're registered for the tour? I registered online in December, but hadn't seen any confirmation. |
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March 2002
Posts: 389
Location: RI. That small State out East | This might help...
I will be driving up Thursday the 25th mid day.
TF Green airport Providence RI is a South West Airline stop.
I might have room in the car for an OFC member.
I'm planing to return back late Friday night and could drop you back at the airport.
SWA has often had some "cheep" air fair.
Of course you will have to laugh at all my jokes and... Drop me an email if...
Woz |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Woz, not sure where you are but BDL (Bradley Airport) is also a Southwest stop.
As we reach the "less than 30 days" mark, an email will go out (along with posts) on how to confirm your tour participation.
Thanks |
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December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | I've noticed the "only XX openings left" has gotten smaller a lot faster the last week. Looking forward to a great weekend! |
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June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | Can we all agree that we WON'T sit around and play Stairway to Heaven on each other's guitars? :D |
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December 2001
Posts: 10581
Location: NJ | no on my watch |
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January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | I REALLY want to go...so BAD...but I don't think it's gonna happen this year. :( |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | Goob, that happened to me last year. Just be forwarned that your friends here are going to make you life miserable if after missing this year, you miss next year as well.
Friends here are great. |
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January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | I already love this place, and am but a newbie! |
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June 2002
Posts: 1614
Location: Converse, Texas | We love you too Goob! |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Hi Just an update and reminder to confirm your reservation.
As we have some folks coming to the tour that maybe do not travel as much as others I provide the following from a friend of mine who worked for the TSA training the airport inspectors.
1. Give the airline you are travelling with a call and ask their policy on bringing guitars on your flight. Each airline and airport have their own rules based on the TSA guidelines. Call maybe a day ahead as these rules change daily.
2. Check the latest
Prohibited Items list at the TSA site. There is also some other useful travel tips.
3. Do NOT lock the case. Use a luggage strap to secure it closed. They need to be able to open it.
3. Go to the airport a little early as normally recommended and if your guitar must be checked, in addition to the earlier notes on proper case and such, you may ask to witness the inspection. As there is a 100% checked-baggage inspection now, it will be inspected. You can't touch, but you could do things like ask them to put the little "we've been here" TSA love note in the pick compartment maybe instead of laying in on the finsh. This is no bother to them. On "special items" that require special care, they really appreciate someone maybe pointing to the latches and helping make their job easier. They certainly do not want to be responsible for breaking something. I always ask that I witness them inspecting my dive gear when I travel. The gear is odd, awkward and if they catch something in a zipper it could easily be ruined or infact turn into a grave safety issue for me later. Takes 5 minutes, no fuss no muss.
You may take the following for its worth. After Matt gave me the above info he asked "Why don't they just overnight their guitars to the hotel a day early instead of lugging them around the airport?" He also mentioned he had seen numerous guitars and other instruments, fine delicate antiques, and other fragile items travel just fine. There isn't as much "tossing of luggage by wild apes" as there used to be. |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Just a reminder to CONFIRM YOUR INTENT TO ATTEND or NOT ATTEND.
If you have already signed up for the tour, please proceed to the OFC TOUR CONFIRMATION option in the MEMBERS ACCESS area. This utility will also allow you to add or delete guests in your party.
FOR EACH NAME LISTED, check either ATTENDING or NOT ATTENDING then click the corresponding UPDATE button.
To modify any of the information for any of the entries, make the appropriate changes to the entry and then click the corresponding UPDATE button.
If you would like to delete one of your guests, click the DELETE link next to the entry you wish to delete. Your OFC Member record (the first one in the list) cannot be deleted. If you are not attending the Ovation Fan Club Factory Tour 2004 you must check the NOT ATTENDING box and click the corresponing UPDATE button for your entry.
You may add a guest by clicking the "ADD A GUEST" button at the bottom of the list. You must then complete the form for that new entry as appropriate.
ALL CHANGES, INCLUDING YOUR INTENT TO "ATTEND"
OR TO "NOT ATTEND" THE TOUR MUST BE COMPLETED
NO LATER THAN 11:59pm (MIDNIGHT), MONDAY MARCH 15, 2004. EST THIS FORM WILL BE UNAVAILABLE AFTER THAT DATE |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | The information keeps rolling in. I will have directions to post soon for those driveing, and additionally the schedule is to start the day around 8:45am in New Hartford with the first tour starting probably around 9:15.
Also, as I have received a few questions on this. THE TOUR IS FREE!!!! The only thing you need to do is get there.
If you have already signed up, remember to go to the Members Access area and CONFIRM YOUR INTENT TO ATTEND or NOT ATTEND.
Thanks |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Just a reminder that if signed up for the tour, you must confirm you intent to ATTEND or NOT ATTEND within the next 5 days. See directions earlier in this thread.
For those driving to the event, plan on arriving at the Factory NLT 8:45am on Friday, March 26th.
The following are directions from various angles. Be advised that this FREE tour lasts most of the day, meals are included, and there is a JAM session planned for the evening, so get lots of rest and see you there.
From NYC and south: I-95 to Rt. 8 north (Bridgeport, CT). Follow Rt. 8 to the first traffic light (about 55 miles). Turn left onto Rt. 44 (east). Follow Rt. 44 approximately 6 miles to New Hartford, CT. The second traffic light is Rt. 219, turn left, over the bridge. Take the first left (Greenwoods Rd.), the factory is at the end of the road.
From NJ and southeast: Garden State Parkway to I-87 south, across the Tappan Zee bridge. Take the I-287 exit to the Saw Mill Parkway. This will put you directly onto I-684 north. Take I-84 east, to Waterbury, CT, and take Rt. 8 north (left exit). Follow Rt. 8 to the first traffic light. Turn left onto Rt. 44 (east). Follow Rt. 44 approximately 6 miles to New Hartford, CT. The second traffic light is Rt. 219, turn left, over the bridge. Take the first left (Greenwoods Rd.), the factory is at the end of the road.
From Hartford: Take I-84 west to the Rt. 4 (Farmington) exit. Follow Rt. 4 for approximately 10 miles. There will be a left turn for Rt. 4. DO NOT turn here, keep going straight toward Canton, CT (Rt. 179) through Collinsville, and you will intersect with Rt. 44. Turn left onto Rt. 44 and follow to the second traffic light (Rt. 219). Turn right, over the bridge. Take the first left (Greenwoods Rd.), the factory is at the end of the road.
From Boston and northeast: Take the Mass Pike to I-91 south, to the Rt. 20 exit (Bradley Airport). Follow Rt. 20 past the airport, through Granby, CT, until you reach the intersection of Rt. 219 (on the left). Follow Rt. 219 until you come to a green bridge at the end of the lake. One mile past the bridge, take a Right onto Greenwoods Road. The New Hartford Fire Station is on the corner. The factory is at the end of the road.
From Albany and northwest: Take the Mass Pike (I-90) to the Lee exit. Turn left at the end of the exit ramp. Follow this road past the mall for approximately 8 miles until you come to a cutoff for Rt. 8 (on the right). Follow Rt. 8 into Winsted, CT, where it intersects with Rt. 44. Take Rt. 44 (east.). Follow Rt. 44 approximately 6 miles to New Hartford, CT. The second traffic light is Rt. 219, turn left, over the bridge. Take the first left (Greenwoods Rd.), the factory is at the end of the road. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Miles;
Do we have any comprehensive driving directions to the hotel posted anywhere? |
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Joined:
December 2001
Posts: 7211
Location: The Great Pacific Northwest | Nothing specific but it's on the peremter of the airport and there are directions at http://www.homewood-suites.com/en/hw/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=WNDLKHW
I would head to the Airport but follow the signs to rt75 like the directions at the link say and you're there. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15654
Location: SoCal | http://www.mapquest.com/ |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Thanks Paul, but I wouldn't use MapQuest to try to find my own ass in a closet!
It may be good in certain parts of the country, but the few times that I've tried it here in the NE has been atrocious. I'll have to dig around in my desk as I MAY have last year's directions to last year's hotel (and they're both on the same road).
The big challenge'll be keeping Templeman sober long enough to read the directions. ;) |
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Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 799
Location: Athens, GA & Gnashville | I'm pissed that I can't go this year, so I thought I would interject a pre-tour thought: LABIA MINORA.
Discuss. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Ah! the constellation in the southern sky:
the "Little Lipper". No? |
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December 2002
Posts: 939
Location: Fort Worth, Texas | One more traveling by air with your guitar question:
Where can I get the "luggage straps" to put on the case?
My plan is to tune down a step, wrap the head in bubble wrap and try and carry it on, if they won't let me, put the straps on after I watch them inspect it.
We're flying out of DFW, busy airport.... |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I've fabricated some "straps" that I use for quickly/securely "lashing" things down/together in my vehicle for gigs:
I bought a a bunch of those heavy-duty black, flat rubber bungees (or "tie-downs")in various lengths.
I remove the metal "S" hooks out of 'em and replace with a small mountaineering carabineer (or "speed clip"). You may have to enlarge the hole slightly in the end(s) of the tie-down with a drill to accept the larger diameter of the carabineer.
They hold more securely than the s-hooks, and run less of a chance of errantly getting "snagged" on something. |
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November 2002
Posts: 1300
Location: Madison, Wisconsin | Goober,
Looks like you and I will have to keep the board running while the gang is away. I thought I was going to be able to go at the last minute but the air fare went over $400 so that put a stop to it. |
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Ovation Factory Tour 2004
