You should email the guys starting up Leaky Roof Meadery in buffalo Missouri. I'm sure they'd love to give you advice.
Do you have very much local support? You could always try using kickstarter to raise some funds.
Personally, I like the weekend idea. Win some awards, drink some mead and play...
I put peaches in my primary.. Then dumped some honey in the secondary. Best cider made to date. I suggest you back sweeten with wenches white grape peach concentrate to bring out the peach, otherwise it is pretty subtle.