Ren Faire Kilted Wench

[Bugbear]

Sounds interesting. I go along to some craft fairs around edinburgh, but they don't sound anything like what your describing.

I'd definitely check one out, but as far as I can tell there's none at all in Scotland ( or anywhere in the UK). Maybe it is just an American thing Bugbear!

Ya, that's what we do over here because there's things like Octoberfest for German stuff, and so on, and so on. We have lots of festivals for everything here; you buy stuff, spend money, and eat food. It's entertainment. Then we complain about it, that's entertainment too.

[MacSpadger]

I just see a few members talking about the historical or fantasy aspects of the fairs, I can't figure out what people actually do there.

No, me neither, not a bluddy clue, but I have to say it looks more interesting than the Turriff Farmer's Market.

[Jock Scot]

No, me neither, not a bluddy clue, but I have to say it looks more interesting than the Turriff Farmer's Market.

[Tobus]

Yes, along with crafts, and they would have a sort of medieval fairy tale twist to them, possibly some historical stuff to, but all jumbled together. It would be different in different places, I'm sure.

...

Go around looking and buying things. Sometimes there are hand-powered rides, like giant swings that look like Viking ships, and workers push them.

Some people dress up in weird costumes that may or may not have anything to do with the festival and a bit silly sometimes. There's lots of food, too.

Typical American stuff. Someone else needs to describe all this: I'm not doing a very good job of it.

Nah, you pretty much got the gist of it, Bugbear!

Most Renaissance faires (here in Texas, anyway) are laid out as "villages" where the streets are lined with buildings which house vendors' stores. There will be hundreds of vendors, selling everything from food to clothing to weaponry, arts & crafts, soaps and candles, etc. You could easily spend an entire weekend just shopping and eating. Many vendors do historical demonstrations on things like blacksmithing, leatherworking, etc. The food vendors tend to stick to "faire food" like fried turkey legs on a stick, or other quaint items which you purchase at the window and walk away with to eat in the fairgrounds. But some of them are actual restaurants where you can go inside and have a decent sit-down meal. Usually the beer and ale flows freely at these faires.

But the vendors are not really the main reason for going. The faire has entertainment running all day long, and is usually spread out at different stages or areas of the park. At any given time, there will be two or three different musical acts performing in different areas. Other stages will have magic shows, puppet shows, comedy shows (jesters), falconry demonstrations, etc. And there are always entertainers who walk around the park, playing music, insulting people, doing "mud shows", acting like fools or beggars, and otherwise keeping the crowds amused.

The larger faires will also have a huge amphitheater where jousting competitions or other heavy horse demonstrations are done, as well as sword play. And spread throughout the park, there are rides for the children, archery booths, rock-climbing walls, face-painting booths, all manner of games for the kids, petting zoos, etc.

The "village" is often split into different areas for different national themes. There will be a German village, Greek village, Gypsy village, Italian village, etc. Each area will have a different feel to it, and food vendors who specialize in that particular ethnicity's cuisine will be there.

Some people actually get married or have private parties at the faire, by renting out a particular pavilion for a few hours. Plus, a lot of people camp nearby the fairgrounds (there is usually a camping area provided) where they have large parties at night.

Last but not least, there is usually a grand entrance with a "king and queen" and all their retinue, as well as a parade or other festivities later in the day for the royal party. Often times you can purchase tickets to eat at the banquet with the royal couple. They may also have a grand finale in the evening when the park closes, complete with fireworks and other entertainment.

All the vendors and entertainers are required to wear period costumes, speak in period style, and generally enhance the "feel" of the Renaissance period. It's really a lot of fun to spend a weekend at one of these faires, and you can never run out of things to do. In fact, it's often a challenge to try to schedule your weekend so you have time to see all the shows you want to see, as well as visit all the vendors. It requires a festival map and schedule to find your way around the park and coordinate everything.

Think of it like a seasonal theme park. That's essentially what it is.

[Geoff Withnell]

To me, this actual event describes the spirit of Renfair.

I'm standing with a mug of good beer in my hand, my other arm around my favorite wench. I'm in my great kilt with suitable accessories. We are listening to the Rogues. In the audience, on the right of the stage, is a beautiful young lady, in a white ruffled blouse, midcalf tartan skirt and tartan sash, long red hair flying, dancing fairly standard Irish dance steps to the music. On the left of the stage is a beautiful young lady, in what can best be described as harem pajamas and a chain mail bikini, long black hair flying, doing a belly dance to the same music. "The Middle Ages as they should have been" The motto of at least one Renfair.

[Zardoz]

To me, this actual event describes the spirit of Renfair.

I'm standing with a mug of good beer in my hand, my other arm around my favorite wench. I'm in my great kilt with suitable accessories. We are listening to the Rogues. In the audience, on the right of the stage, is a beautiful young lady, in a white ruffled blouse, midcalf tartan skirt and tartan sash, long red hair flying, dancing fairly standard Irish dance steps to the music. On the left of the stage is a beautiful young lady, in what can best be described as harem pajamas and a chain mail bikini, long black hair flying, doing a belly dance to the same music. "The Middle Ages as they should have been" The motto of at least one Renfair.

Very true Geoff!
I remember vividy having a similar moment back in like 2005 when I started going to faire again after like a 10 year absence.
It was a nice day, and I'm sitting, having a beer, and listening to Jenny O'Conner's old band E-Muzeki play, I'd not seen them before. And they broke into Led Zeppelin's Kashmir, and I realized; Hey, I'm hanging out, wearing my kilt , drinking a beer, watching this beautiful and talented girl play a Zeppelin tune on the violin, while another girl dances with a snake right in front of me. It's hard to describe the feeling, but it was was one of those "Don't get much better than this" moments for me.

E-Muzeki's Kashmir: http://youtu.be/TmP-oLhza9Q

[werewolves]

They do tend to be more fantasy fairs than Ren fairs, but I don't have a problem with that. Some folks in Oregon are even putting together a full-on fantasy fair this year, with different "zones" for fairies, steampunks, etc. Should be interesting.

[sydnie7]

[snip] "The Middle Ages as they should have been" The motto of at least one Renfair.

[snip]. . .more interesting than the Turriff Farmer's Market.

So I'm planning my own RenFaire and trying to decide between these two marketing messages. . .

[Sir William]

But the vendors are not really the main reason for going. The faire has entertainment running all day long, and is usually spread out at different stages or areas of the park. At any given time, there will be two or three different musical acts performing in different areas. Other stages will have magic shows, puppet shows, comedy shows (jesters), falconry demonstrations, etc. And there are always entertainers who walk around the park, playing music, insulting people, doing "mud shows", acting like fools or beggars, and otherwise keeping the crowds amused.

I don't go to the events often, but most of the ones I've been to have jousting as well. Lots of fun to watch.

[rondo]

They do tend to be more fantasy fairs than Ren fairs, but I don't have a problem with that. Some folks in Oregon are even putting together a full-on fantasy fair this year, with different "zones" for fairies, steampunks, etc. Should be interesting.

I'm okay with fantasy...definitely okay with fantasy...now where did that lil woodland nymph get off too?

Rondo