Forums > Social Chat > renaissance festivals
Login/Join to ParticipateGOLD Member
addict
674 posts
Location: Ohio, USA
addict
674 posts
Location: Ohio, USA
Posted:
Just had my first renaissance festival experience today! It was simply awsome! It reminded me of a musical festival only with a lot more people interested in the kinds of things we do... It was amazing! I was just a visitor, but the people were extremely willing to play with me and such. Found a nice old fellow selling devil sticks who I stopped and played with for over an hour. I think I helped him sell several pair to kids who were watching me... and he tried to talk me into becoming a partner, lol. Unfortunatly Im from Ohio, and this is Florida. Further down I found some cute fairy girls playing with Diablos and a group of jugglers that did some trading with me and such. Also ran into some fellows training people for dagger fighting, and some throwing knife people...
And the jousting / fencing, etc... belly dancers and drum circles, instrument tents, hillarious shows, and everyone dressed in renaissance garb and speaking old english... Oh so much fun.
And the weapons... oh the weapons... there were so many weapons vendors there. This one lady had hand carved wooden swords of many different styles that were quite nice (except for the material.. hickory).
Oh and TONS of beer! And good beer! I've discovered a new weekend outlet! Yay! I wonder how much the garb is... Anyone here frequent these kinds of things? I saw several buskers walking around doing various things... how does that work? I'd lov eto be able to make money doing stuff there, though I'm sure fire is frowned on unless its directly ok'd by the management... but thats ok.
Just had my first renaissance festival experience today! It was simply awsome! It reminded me of a musical festival only with a lot more people interested in the kinds of things we do... It was amazing! I was just a visitor, but the people were extremely willing to play with me and such. Found a nice old fellow selling devil sticks who I stopped and played with for over an hour. I think I helped him sell several pair to kids who were watching me... and he tried to talk me into becoming a partner, lol. Unfortunatly Im from Ohio, and this is Florida. Further down I found some cute fairy girls playing with Diablos and a group of jugglers that did some trading with me and such. Also ran into some fellows training people for dagger fighting, and some throwing knife people...
And the jousting / fencing, etc... belly dancers and drum circles, instrument tents, hillarious shows, and everyone dressed in renaissance garb and speaking old english... Oh so much fun.
And the weapons... oh the weapons... there were so many weapons vendors there. This one lady had hand carved wooden swords of many different styles that were quite nice (except for the material.. hickory).
Oh and TONS of beer! And good beer! I've discovered a new weekend outlet! Yay! I wonder how much the garb is... Anyone here frequent these kinds of things? I saw several buskers walking around doing various things... how does that work? I'd lov eto be able to make money doing stuff there, though I'm sure fire is frowned on unless its directly ok'd by the management... but thats ok.
SILVER Member
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Posted:
Oh mate, Renfest is not just a weekend outlet, it's a way of life. I live for my local fest, and it's only 2 months a year. The rest of the time is spent sharing stories, planning and brain storming.
I've been working at mine for 3 years now, and am already a manager there, and it's soo much fun!
If you are ever up in Ontario, give me a call and I'll get you some cheap tickets
As for buskers and the such, everyone who is there performing is hired by the festival. They are paid a salary by the festival and are usually frowned upon for taking tips. (I know because they tried to get me to be a walk about, and I choose to stay with my current position, although I may switch next year).
Fire would depends on your local fest, local fire regulations and the fire marshall. I know the festival near me always has at least 1 fire performer out and about.
And for prices for the clothing, a good dress can cost hundreds or thousands.
A good cloak can run up to 500...
A decent set of average clothing can be a few hundred depending on where you get it.
Alot of it is cheaper to make your self, but the people who you could buy from at the fest do it for a living (literally, Renfest IS their life!).
Oh mate, Renfest is not just a weekend outlet, it's a way of life. I live for my local fest, and it's only 2 months a year. The rest of the time is spent sharing stories, planning and brain storming.
I've been working at mine for 3 years now, and am already a manager there, and it's soo much fun!
If you are ever up in Ontario, give me a call and I'll get you some cheap tickets
As for buskers and the such, everyone who is there performing is hired by the festival. They are paid a salary by the festival and are usually frowned upon for taking tips. (I know because they tried to get me to be a walk about, and I choose to stay with my current position, although I may switch next year).
Fire would depends on your local fest, local fire regulations and the fire marshall. I know the festival near me always has at least 1 fire performer out and about.
And for prices for the clothing, a good dress can cost hundreds or thousands.
A good cloak can run up to 500...
A decent set of average clothing can be a few hundred depending on where you get it.
Alot of it is cheaper to make your self, but the people who you could buy from at the fest do it for a living (literally, Renfest IS their life!).
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> STAY SAFE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug.gif" alt="" />
SILVER Member
Member
38 posts
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Member
38 posts
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posted:
If you enjoy Renfests, then you should definitely look up the Society for Creative Anachronism (www.sca.org). It's the reason why I'm spinning fire now. My SCA Household spins fire as well as Heavy Fights. It's not just one weekend a year, it's every weekend. And, occasionally, there are events that last one to two weeks long. The largest that I know of is called 'Pennsic War' and it's held in Pennsylvania in August. I just recently returned from a week long one in Lumberton, Mississippi called 'Gulf Wars'. It's truely a way of life...
If you enjoy Renfests, then you should definitely look up the Society for Creative Anachronism (www.sca.org). It's the reason why I'm spinning fire now. My SCA Household spins fire as well as Heavy Fights. It's not just one weekend a year, it's every weekend. And, occasionally, there are events that last one to two weeks long. The largest that I know of is called 'Pennsic War' and it's held in Pennsylvania in August. I just recently returned from a week long one in Lumberton, Mississippi called 'Gulf Wars'. It's truely a way of life...
"I always knew I was a pyro..."
SILVER Member
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Scientist!
578 posts
Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Posted:
Pennsic War sounds sooo cool! I wish I had 3 weeks to spend on it though *cries*
Pennsic War sounds sooo cool! I wish I had 3 weeks to spend on it though *cries*
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> STAY SAFE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hug.gif" alt="" />
SILVER Member
Member
38 posts
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Member
38 posts
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Posted:
Are you a member of the SCA or just a fan of ren faires?
Are you a member of the SCA or just a fan of ren faires?
"I always knew I was a pyro..."
Member
8 posts
Location: Dayton, OH
8 posts
Location: Dayton, OH
Posted:
most people only go to pennsic for one week. (the second one) and it is only two weeks long. you do not need three weeks!
most people only go to pennsic for one week. (the second one) and it is only two weeks long. you do not need three weeks!
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