Anyone here attend the Renaissance Festival? They’re all over the world with 3+ in TX and the largest in the world near Houston, TX.
What do you love most about it? Do you have a specific outfit? Do you camp? Which festival do you attend?
I have a few pieces of archaic clothing. Next year I'll bring my coworker to his very first ren faire.
There's just something about the setting. It's almost completely set apart from the real world. You wander through a village with shopping, music and other entertainment, and various other oddities. And sometimes fall into a random conversation with a brand new friend. There's even usually a storyline behind the event.
I hadn’t been since I was a child. My older siblings went every weekend as my aunt dated the owner. She died traumatically and our family just stopped going. Stopped doing a lot of things like living. That was 40 years ago. A month ago my older brother invited me and I joined him and also decided to camp as I had heard it was epic. It was the most epic event of my life. Camping is like Burning Man, at least so I’m told. The people are amazing and like a big family! I was Gandalf one weekend and a barbarian last weekend. Everyone should experience that kind of freedom. Everyone’s welcome. No one’s judged. You can be free and your true self in a welcoming environment. It’s pretty amazing! We’re going back next weekend.
Y'all may want to check out the SCA
@Panfriednoodles whats SCA?
The society for creative anachronisms. Larpers.
Aha!
Used to go to a big one when I lived in PA. But haven't been for years and years.
I love the atmosphere and the food. Everyone is in a happy zone for a while and that feels good.
@gem7 couldnt agree more. If you ever get a chance to camp out at it, the experience is 10x mo betta! More oxytocin, more everything. The energy is electric and everyone is so incredibly welcoming and accepting. It’s how everyone wishes the world was on the daily.
@Mre_us I am for sure going to do the camping thing. Sounds like so much of a great time.
My daughter and I have started getting into the Renaissance festivals.
Sadly, I lack the physique to dress up as a Myrmidon, so I just go as an Ephor.
There an annual one about 30 minutes north of me. I visit at least once every two lifetimes.
I've never been but there's a Medieval Joust a few minutes up the road from me. Tom Hardy actually turned up once too 😲
Rennie here! I am on cast at the Oklahoma Renaissance Faire in Muskogee, OK. I love the creativity and inclusiveness of Faires and Festivals. Everyone is someone…and all are welcome! Huzzah!
@MelanieL Huzzah! I love it and great garb by the way!!! I was at TXRenFest camping last weekend with 14,000 other folks for barbarian weekend. It was EPIC!
When is the OK Ren Faire? Would love to attend.
Pittsburgh Renfest (not actually in Pittsburgh) is one I've attended too many times! My go to wenching outfit was made expertly by my mother, 20 years ago! The pic was last summer
@Auroradream kudos to your mom! She did a great job. You look the part and clearly enjoy it given you’re still going. Do you have a favorite theme (pirate, barbarian, fantasy, etc…)?
Yes I remember the Tortuga twins and a separate vendor there use to have something called Jacobs ladder and if you could climb it you would win a prize I don't know a single person that could climb it except the vendor themselves who had tons of practice lol
I used to enjoy Renaissance Festivals but now they are too commercialized.
Yes! I finally got to attend one--- and it was a BLAST!!! Got to take my Grand, and we dressed as pirates!!!
What do you love most about it? *The creativity of the costumes, the welcoming attitudes of the various people, and the fact that I got to share the experience with my Baby!
Do you have a specific outfit? *We went dressed as pirates because it was Pirate Weekend... Had it been Barbarian Weekend, I would have worn my fur-trimmed leopard-print cape!! Yes, I'm THAT person!!! lol
Do you camp? *Sadly, we just went for the day. Who knows what next year might bring!!
Which festival do you attend? *We attended one in southwestern Ohio... It was pretty big and there were lots of different takes on pirate costumes--- all of which we enjoyed, immensely!
I would love to have gone as a VIKING, though, so maybe I'll get to do that next time! lol
There’s a two month long renfair here in Arizona. I’ve never been. Any endorsements?
@lovingspoonfull I have a friend who works there, and he loves it. Sadly, visiting AZ just isn't in the cards for me at this time.
Never have but I think it would be interesting. Only issue is I don't really get into the cosplay stuff myself and my understanding is they kinda expect that if you attend ? Correct me if I'm wrong somebody pls
I had never been to a comic con type thing before and went to Dragon Con in Atlanta a couple yrs ago. I am not really into comics etc but I had a really good time! Loved the sense of community and the costumes etc were fun.
Thank you, I’m thinking of giving it a look, it seems fun if a little pricy.
I have done the Phoenix Comic Con. Total zoo as far as it’s packed but yeah, it was fun and people really go all out on costumes.
Hey @pmvines it’s epic. I hadn’t been since I was a child and went ALL Out on my outfits, but my brother and his family came in just normal street clothes. ALL had a great time. I would say the majority are in costume, but not all and all are welcome.
@Homesteader that just makes my heart so happy! Love that you could share it and continue the legacy for generations. I agree, there are so many positive aspects. I love the themes. I missed pirate weekend, but attended barbarian and it was absolutely epic. We had a record 14,000 campers for barbarian weekend vs the usual 6,000 for other weekends at worlds largest in Houston. I’m really looking forward to the much smaller Sherwood Forest in Austin. Would LOVE to get a group together and share all the fun!
@lovingspoonfull I've been to the Phoenix one a handful of times and it's a pretty fun atmosphere. It's got a nice size grounds and I believe all the usual performers who do the circuit.
@pmvines often there are discounts you can find for a few bucks off for bringing canned food or at some local supermarket chain. at least the PHX one. I've only gone in regalia once, and there's def no expectation that you dress up. It's maybe 50/50
@Mre_us ~ I was grateful that I got to be the one who introduced my baby to such a fun, interesting, engaging experience!! We were LOVING the intricate, well-done costumery, the cool props and backdrops, THE MUD PIT, and getting to walk around with meat on skewers!!! Gotta teach 'em to be Proper Heathens, right?? lol
What was really great was that, after hearing us RAVE about our experience, another family member decided to attend one!!! Talk about spreading the joy!!! There's something awesome about stepping out of the stress and worry of every-day life, back into another time, like you can with one of these festivals!! Thanks for posting this...and bringing that joy right back to my mind!
@pmvines ~ While many folks there were, indeed, costumed to the nines, many people were dressed in street clothes, but they seemed delighted with those of us who'd donned costumes! There didn't seem to be a snootiness toward people who didn't choose to costume up, just an all-around atmosphere of enjoyment!
Like @Mre_us mentioned, it would be GLORIOUS to gather up a group of Cuddlers and hit one of these festivals---whether in costume or not!!!
@MelanieL ~ Awesome, beautiful Blue-on-You!!! Thanks for the pic!!!
@Auroradream ~ LOVE the brocade shoulder accents! Somebody both saw and loved you!!! WENCHES!! WENCHES!! EVERYWHERE, WENCHES!!! You'd be proud of me for the skirt hikes I sewed! Maybe we'll get to catch one another at one of these someday!! lol
@Mre_us ~ Bad@ssery on that shoulder metal!!! I AM INSPIRED!!!
Dear Universe, we need to make some plans for next year.... Amen! lol
@Homesteader is the one in Waynesville Ohio the one you go to ?
Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!
@pmvines in NY, the majority of attendees are not dressed up.