The Faire's the Thing...

[Wombat]

I briefly worked atthe Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Novato, CA, back in the late 1970s, early 1980s. As a "RenFairy", I found there were deep divisions between those who Faired-and-Gamed, those who Faired-and-SCA'd and Pure Fairies, many of whom were also movers and shakers in the nascent Neo-Pagan movement.

In general the Pure Fairies thought neither of the other groups were serious, the SCAdians thought the Pure Fairies were overly serious and the Gamers not serious enough, and the Gamers wanted to add in more magic and out-of-period stuff.

I had fun working Faire, as long as I stayed clear of the strong cliques; as someone who was a gamer, in the SCA, and knew a LOT of Wiccans and Neo-Druids, I was kind of a floater...

 

[Nightchilde-2]

Hey, I've heard of that one too and that it's pretty good. Isn't it held in the spring around April? That's another one I need to plan on going to.

April, yes. If you do come to it next year, let me know and we'll have a game day.

They have these fajitas that are killer....

 

[d20Dwarf]

I had fun working Faire, as long as I stayed clear of the strong cliques; as someone who was a gamer, in the SCA, and knew a LOT of Wiccans and Neo-Druids, I was kind of a floater...

This really is the crux of the matter....stop dividing yourself into a clique, people! Don't look down on the tourists, they make the Faires possible. These things weren't created to give people a chance to play dress-up, they were started to make money. Now that they're making money, don't dis them and the people that enjoy it. I enjoy going to the Faire, but haven't worn a costume since I was 12. I still enjoy it just fine, and I don't think my t-shirted form takes away from the experience. It's not a LARP, it's a medieval celebration.

 

[Ace]

Are visitors to these things expected to dress up as well? I'm going to the Ohio festival this weekend, and I certainly have no intention of going in costume. Am I going to be out of place? I assumed that most visitors don't dress up.

This depends on the area you are in. Some (the 2 or 3 I have attended in different states) Renfairs are kind of snobby and aside from the merchants there is little fun to be had from them. If you go in street clothes (there is no way iI am going in garb or talking with a faux accent I don't LARP thank you) the regulars will for the most part assume you are just a tourist and ignore you.

Oh there are few "interactor" types and hecklers and what not but the fairs I have been you been less than enjoyable.
Even though 2 of my buddies (and quite a few aquaintances) are Fairfolk I have found fairs boring, overpriced and trite ... YMMV of course it is something you will have to try yourself

 

[kigmatzomat]

Hi Wainard.

Are visitors to these things expected to dress up as well? I'm going to the Ohio festival this weekend, and I certainly have no intention of going in costume. Am I going to be out of place? I assumed that most visitors don't dress up.

I've been to the Ohio faire multiple times; it is surprisingly low on cliques of any sort and is comfortably low key. Of course, I mostly go for the weapon shops. The jewelry varies in quality and cost as do clothing. The food's not bad but not being a beer drinker I can't say about the meads.

The acts, while usually goofy, are entertaining and the choreographed jousting is still great to watch. There's just something about watching a lance shatter on a shield that makes the RPer in me grin. Way better than "Royal Nights" or the other Ren-steraunts I've seen.

I know I can get much cheaper weaponry elsewhere, but a) it *is* much cheaper weaponry, b) there are few places that will actually guarantee the blades if you do more than hang them on a wall and c) I want a weapon that feels good. While I don't really use the swords, I absolutely hate the idea of buying something that I couldn't use with any confidence.

 

[CaptainCalico]

I've been going to Briston in WI for the past few years and I never dress up - mainly because Elizibethan dress is NOT designed for typical Wisconsin summer weather! I want my shorts, t-shirt and sneakers thanks very much. I have the deepest respect for the folks who work there, but respect does not have to involve emulation.

I think the interactive nature of a Faire can be a bit of a "culture shock" to folks used to more passive, touristy types of entertainment. I like to think that I join in and play along, despite not dressing up. Being a good sport is the biggest part of enjoying a Faire.

(Of course at Bristol a lot of the attendees who dress up have a very .... loose idea of what consitutes proper garb for a faire - personally I think people in neo-goth costumes much more of a scene-breaker than someone in shorts and a Packer t-shirt.)

 

[Tewligan]

I've been to the Ohio faire multiple times; it is surprisingly low on cliques of any sort and is comfortably low key. Of course, I mostly go for the weapon shops. The jewelry varies in quality and cost as do clothing. The food's not bad but not being a beer drinker I can't say about the meads.

Hey, James! Heh, the mead is actually high on my "to try" list when I go. I won't be happy unless I'm clutching a turkey leg in one hand and a jumbo mug of mead in the other. I may pick up a dagger or sword or something, if they aren't crazy-expensive - I have no idea how much something like that typically costs. We shall see.

 

[reapersaurus]

As seen in the EnWorld Costume Gallery, my wife and I are in a Rennaisance Guild, a Scottish-themed one, in Northern California.

I have learned that there are many Gamers, or former Gamers (a high % never learned 3E) in our Guild at least.
Strangely, though the personality and skillsets are similar, the people don't really go to much trouble playing Games when at Faire.

I think it's due to the fact that Faire is such a huge effort as a hobby, there really isn't much room for another hobby when Faire-ing.

BTW: There are easily 10 Faires within drive of San Francisco - Northern Faire is not the only one.

There's other aspects I could discuss, like:
English Faires vs the Scottish Faires
Personality types of Guild members
Weekend Faires vs Long-Running Faires (multiple weeks)

but it would get too long, perhaps.

 

[Kahuna Burger]

I, for one, have been a regular patron of the Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs, Kansas, for several years.

homesickness ensues. I like to tell people that the only thing I miss about Kansas is the sky, but I do miss the KC ren faire too...

The King Richard's Faire out here in Mass is actually getting better instead of worse. The first time I went it was pathetic compared to bonners spring - no weapons shops at all, few people in costume who weren't paid to be there, not a lot of real fun. But the last couple of times I've went its been more of what I remembered from my youth, and I'm looking forward to going this weekend (and not just cause my honey is buying me an engagement ring from the puzzel ring dealer whose always there...)

Kahuna burger

 

[Luddite]

I think it's due to the fact that Faire is such a huge effort as a hobby, there really isn't much room for another hobby when Faire-ing.

This is much the case that I see. When actualy performing at a Faire, all you want to do between the evenings is eat and sleep. Maybe get drunk, but for the most part relax.

In the guilde that I am a part of, I would say about 75% of the members play some type of RPG. Be it PnP or Computer or both. But that is not to say they all play 3rd DnD. Name a system, and someone has or is playing it. Also we all have different style's desires of play.

BTW: There are easily 10 Faires within drive of San Francisco - Northern Faire is not the only one.

There's other aspects I could discuss, like:
English Faires vs the Scottish Faires
Personality types of Guild members
Weekend Faires vs Long-Running Faires (multiple weeks)

but it would get too long, perhaps.

Well, I will take the bait For the Record, I portray Sir Wlater Raleigh as a part of Queen Elizebeth's Court. Our group does about a half dozen Faires in SoCal, All of them of the Single weekend varity.

English v. Scotish: Real men wear Tights and Cod Pieces!

Personality of Guilde Members: For the most part I realy don't see them different then you would find at your local Gaming/SF Con. You have your over-the-top geeks of the field, and you have those that have completely lost touch with reality. Sure you get a lot of freaks, but then I would be one as well.

Weekend v. Long-Run: Long term faires seem to be more Comerical. As such they have more professional-level talent. That is not to say that the shows and talent are better, just people who do this more for a living then hobby. The Weekend Faires are more for the Hobbists, who realy do it for an act of love.

-The Luddite