Contemporary Kilt at GA Ren Fest

[cavscout]

I took the family to the Georgia Ren Fest this weekend and had a really nice time. I also sported the UK Survival (photo in Gallery). In the crowd of folks dressed for the affair I was hardly noticable but I did have a few looks and a group of teens recognized a utilikilt when they saw it.

I was speaking with the gentleman running the "Scottish" booth and mentioned the PV kilts. He wrinkled his nose to them compared to wool which I understand as he's trying to make a sale but the funny thing was when I mentioned their value as a daily wear garment. You'd have thought I started speaking another language.

I just found it rather amusing that the conservative guy in the cargo kilt was more excited about the chance to wear a kilt as daily wear than the guy dressed from head to toe in "highland garb", faux great kilt and all.

My next thought was "What would it cost to set up a booth in one of these "Festivals" to sell the contemporary kilts. As the vendor prices are the same from booth to booth I guess there is no competition and whoever owns the Festival gets a substatial cut. Has anyone ever tried selling at a Ren Fest?

[Yaish]

Utilikilts has been selling at Renfairs since last year. Its a pretty good environment for us, most people are familiar with what a kilt is and know about the comfort factor, they just dont have one for daily wear or because of the high cost of a traditional.

Many of the vendors at Ren events wear UK's when not in costume, and some have even incorporated their UK's into costume. Mockers go over pretty well because the pockets are hidden and it helps it blend into traditional garb better.

Prices arent too bad for most of the fairs, though of course every fair is different. The main thing is getting them to let you in at all because you arent 'period'. (as if half of what is sold there is even close to period either)

[cavscout]

After posting I did some looking and found their application site:

http://www.garenfest.com/artistapp.htm

Are these prices typical for space at Ren Fests?

I noticed one other person who I think had on a black UK as you describe mixed with the more traditional garb. I saw so many guys walking around in baggy OD cargo shorts and was thinking how logical of a next step the Cargo kilts from UK, FK, AK or PK are. Oh if they only knew what they were missing

[Yaish]

If that price is for the full festical length its not bad. I cant really say what a normal price is though as I dont deal with that aspect of it. I just go sell, they take care of all that at UKHQ.


When I see guys in shorts like that I always bring up the fact that they are halfway to a kilt already.

[cavscout]

How does that work for you. When the event comes around UK calls and asks if your available to work and you fill the shifts you can or are you a rep year round?

[Yaish]

I'm a rep all year round, but its all on a volunteer basis. Basically an events lists comes out, and if you want to work (in exchange for kilt credits) you can sign up.

Contact either Nate or Kate at Utilikilts if you want to volunteer. (email addy is the name at utilikilts.com)

[cavscout]

How many kilt credits per event? Or more specifically, how many events equals a free kilt?

[beerbecue]

Isn't that Ren fest all summer long, on the weekends? That would be a lot of exposure, and potential customers.......

The wife and I have been considering going.......

[cavscout]

Georgia's is from Mid April to the first week in June. I'd recommend going and looking around. Their were only a handful of people in kilts and most of those were not true tartens. The performances were very good (Sword Swallower, Mudd Fight, Chivalry Competition). Use the coupon from their web site or from Kroger to save a few bucks and all the performers work for tips so be prepared to slip each show cast what you can, they're not high pressure.