Ishpeming RenFaire

**MacMullen** · 8th August 07, 09:01 PM

My family and I went to the Ishpeming Renaissance Faire last Saturday, August 4th. We had a good time. My daughter really enjoyed all of the jewelers, while my son especially enjoyed checking out all of the blades.

I showed up that morning wearing trousers, but when we went home to get the kids I switched to the kilt. We ran into Nick there plying his blacksmith trade, kilted, of course. His work was very innovative and well done. The padlocks were very cool and my four-year-old daughter was captivated by the belt hooks. She had a special name for them, but what it was escapes me right now. Maybe Nick or his bride remember.

There were a fair number of kilts there. It was good to see so many in one place, although, I sort of expected to see more. It was an interesting mix of fabrics too, ranging from wool to p/v to flannel!

I snapped a few pics while I was there, which you can see below.

Dancers. This group was led by the wife and children of one of the blacksmiths.

Playing the tunes the others are dancing to:

My wife snapped this pic as I was going into the house to get the kids.

One of the blacksmiths. He had a very entertaining routine.

My daughter with Heather's great helm on at the SCA tent:

My daughter and son and little daughter (on the right) :

Me:

**MacMullen** · 8th August 07, 09:03 PM

My son at the SCA tent checking out the shield. On the right you can see the detail of the shield's hardware:

Nick and his wife at their booth:

My daughter standing in front of Nick's booth:

Me:

The UP Highland Games:

**sorcererdale** · 9th August 07, 05:49 AM

I saw you, but didn't know who you were. By the time Nick told me, you were gone. You didn't see a kilt on me, as I was the court jester. Maybe you saw me on stilts, or talking to little kids. Some how missed yours, as i say, "Hark now, me thinks I hear a ring in thy ear." I show my "empty" hand up by my ear, and then reach to the kid's ear and pull out a cheap ring for them!

DALE.

**MacMullen** · 9th August 07, 06:43 AM

Dale, I did see you. My kids thought the stilts were cool. My daughter was wondering who was taller, me on my feet or you on your stilts. If I'd known that was you, we could've done a back to back comparison.

So that's you standing at the back of the first pic? Nice outfit! Were you there on your own or are you asked there by the organizers? What would a faire be without a jester?

**sorcererdale** · 9th August 07, 08:22 PM

Yes, that is me in the background of the first picture, and I didn't even see that the first time I looked. I am on my own, and do it for the people. I also go to the Ironwood Ren Faire and am a member of the MARS group, Midwest Amateur Ren. Society.

DALE.

**Mr. MacDougall** · 9th August 07, 10:09 PM

Er, where's an Ishpeming to be found?

**sorcererdale** · 10th August 07, 05:48 AM

A little further north and east from where you are. Ishpeming and many other great cities are found in the center of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Many say that "God's area code is 906," (the area code for the whole UP.) Many people that move away after college will come back to retire or relocate here.

DALE.

**Mr. MacDougall** · 10th August 07, 05:51 AM

Originally Posted by sorcererdale

Many say that "God's area code is 906," (the area code for the whole UP.)

I recall when the entire state of Arizona had one area code.

Don't the winters get terribly cold up that way? I can't see anyplace as paradise, if it has snow.

**sorcererdale** · 10th August 07, 12:32 PM

That is why I wear a kilt! They are warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Besides, then when summer comes it is easier to appreciate it! And many people come here for winter sports and the Olympic ice skating and other Olympic sports have training facilities here.

DALE.