ren faire fans?

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Sat September 27th, 2008, 1:16 pm

[quote=""Leyland""] Here's a link to the PA Renn Faire in case you're ever Lancaster way - it's held over 12 weekends from Aug to Oct. The grounds are very nicely maintained all year round since it's a permanent site with a winery, etc.

http://www.parenfaire.com/[/quote]

I went to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at the end of August. We had great fun and intend to return next summer and may even wear costumes ourselves!

Ash · Post by **Ash** » Sat September 27th, 2008, 3:17 pm

The northern california faire is the one I've heard most about. Heard that its not running any more, but should check and see if it is; I'd like to make that a stop on my next trip in the area.

I bet someone could make a lot of money inventing portable air conditioning to put under those dresses. Our faire is in relatively mild February, so it only gets to 80 or so. But those ladies still look godawfully hot.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Sat September 27th, 2008, 4:31 pm

[quote=""Ash""]I bet someone could make a lot of money inventing portable air conditioning to put under those dresses. Our faire is in relatively mild February, so it only gets to 80 or so. But those ladies still look godawfully hot.[/quote]

I thought about this when I was at the PA Ren Faire. The weekend we went was relatively comfortable, but I bet all in costumes (most men wore long sleeves and various pants/stockings which covered the entire legs) were still uncomfortable.

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Sat September 27th, 2008, 5:02 pm

[quote=""Ash""]The northern california faire is the one I've heard most about. Heard that its not running any more, but should check and see if it is; I'd like to make that a stop on my next trip in the area.
[/quote]
There are plenty of faires happening around the state. Castlewood guild alone gets invited to about fifteen, of various sizes. The Northern CA faire which ran longest was in Marin; they lost their lease and have since re-started at Casa de Fruta, a venue somewhat below Gilroy. That happens over several weeks in the fall, and being one of the more commercial faires, tends to be less insistent on the authenticy angle. The SF faire is new, about five years old, and it has been growing at a good rate. Weather in SF is more like England, so they hold it in August. There are two Celtic Faires competing in the Sonora area, one in the spring, one in the fall. Tahoe has a healthy faire that goes for two weeks in June -- it's held at a state park called Valhalla, very nice and tree-shady. Folsom has a faire coming up in October, there is one in Auburn this weekend, next weekend is Anderson Faire, up by Redding.

If you tell me your area, I'll ask my daughter and she'll list off whatever faires are happening nearby, as long as it is West of the Rockies!

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Sat September 27th, 2008, 6:04 pm

When my husband and I lived in Marin County, we used to really enjoy the Ren Faire there. I made costumes for us, and "Queen Elizabeth" particularly complimented my husband's. I discovered that the long, wide skirts on the women's costumes are actually not unpleasant in the heat. The skirts hang away from the body where they sway and generate a breeze, rather along the principle of the robes worn in the Arabian deserts. There was talk about developing a Ren Faire on the state fairgrounds in Washington County, Oregon, near where we live now, which we thought was a great idea, but so far, nothing seems to have come of it.

Leyland · Post by **Leyland** » Sat September 27th, 2008, 8:09 pm

[quote=""Susan""]I thought about this when I was at the PA Ren Faire. The weekend we went was relatively comfortable, but I bet all in costumes (most men wore long sleeves and various pants/stockings which covered the entire legs) were still uncomfortable.[/quote]

I saw several people at the Celtic Fling at the PA Ren Faire grounds in Ren costumes and some of them were magnificantly detailed. Although I noticed some physically well endowed folks that I was sure were going to pop out of their gear. In other words, I saw many costumes that weren't flattering in the least. I really liked the pirates though!

I saw the Tartan Terrors perform at the Fling this past June. They've been part of the Renn Faire there for about ten years. Very funny and bawdy. I saw a band named Ceann perform on the stage in Susan's third picture and walked across the chess board a few times to get to the Globe Stage to see two Celtic rock bands perform on both days there. The whole set up there is like a theme park and was very clean. All in all, a nice place to be.

MLE (Emily Cotton) · Post by **MLE (Emily Cotton)** » Sat September 27th, 2008, 8:21 pm

[quote=""Margaret""]When my husband and I lived in Marin County, we used to really enjoy the Ren Faire there. I made costumes for us, and "Queen Elizabeth" particularly complimented my husband's. I discovered that the long, wide skirts on the women's costumes are actually not unpleasant in the heat. The skirts hang away from the body where they sway and generate a breeze, rather along the principle of the robes worn in the Arabian deserts. There was talk about developing a Ren Faire on the state fairgrounds in Washington County, Oregon, near where we live now, which we thought was a great idea, but so far, nothing seems to have come of it.[/quote]
Margaret, you might enjoy Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire. It's held near Corvallis, my daughter's guild did it a couple times (this was before I gave in and joined), and they said it was a fantastic faire, but too long a drive for most of the members.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Sun September 28th, 2008, 1:13 am

[quote=""Leyland""]I saw a band named Ceann perform on the stage in Susan's third picture and walked across the chess board a few times to get to the Globe Stage to see two Celtic rock bands perform on both days there. The whole set up there is like a theme park and was very clean. All in all, a nice place to be.[/quote]

The chess board was used for a human chess game with Queen Elizabeth presiding. Every time one piece moved to another piece's square, the board was cleared and the two had to duel. Lots of fun!!!

xiaotien · Post by **xiaotien** » Sun September 28th, 2008, 11:59 pm

love the fotos, susan! thank you for sharing!

someone from another forum actually told me
she played queen elizabeth I in the past at ren
faire and she sweated away any calories gained
at all wearing 40# costumes. =O maybe the
queen is not allowed to swish too much for
air cooling? haha!

i wonder when i'll get the chance to go again?

and my hub is english and he's never seen the
like in england--which i find amusing. i guess
they already have a queen and all... ;*)

Margaret · Post by **Margaret** » Mon September 29th, 2008, 7:10 pm

Thanks for the tip about the Shrewsbury Ren Faire. It's just manageable for a day-trip - and I was born in Corvallis!