Adrien, it occurs to me that KenM may have been really on to something with his comment that the ties sounds like a great fundraiser.

The tie thingy could also be a fun public relations gift (even if you don't win the bid for that box of old ties that you mentioned). Lots of guys have old ties that they could donate-the more atrocious the better. And the performers or MCs could have fun with how/where they wore the ties during the festival.

And this ties in with frogprince's post "Bless be the tie that binds" (though he said it somewhat differently :o).

Plus the matter of ties also "ties" in with the reunion aspect of this years' festival as gnu posted on 27 Feb 09 - 05:27 PM

When it's apple blossom time in Chateauguay Valley
Fine friends will gather from far and wide.
With old and new songs, and stories aplenty.
Come join us there, in the countryside.

-snip-

Anyway, it's just a thought, but it seems to me that "handled" the right way, this tie thingy could add more energy to what already sounds like a great and memorable gathering.