What is a Renaissance Fair?

[Cherub]

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I have heard of people going in Star Trek uniforms, although heaven knows why. I didn't see that myself, and it wasn't at the Maryland RenFest, but somewhere in another state. I suppose you would explain that by time travel, whjich would open the way for daleks and cybermen, LOL!

Well I've never seen Star Trek uniforms, but I have heard of Ninjas invading a Pirate festival.

[Irish Jack O'Brian]

The new Renaissance Faire in the Austin, Texas, area is holding a Celtic Festival this September. http://sherwoodforestfaire.com/

I rather imagine it will be a mélange of renfaire and highland games.

[Nighthawk]

A Renaissance faire is an event where there are lots of medieval activities, such as jousting, sword play, jugglers and such type of acts. lots of people dress the part and wear old fashioned clothing and sometimes suits of armor or anything to make them feel more like the belong in the dark ages. some times kilts are often wore (even if they were not around during that time) it does help with the atmosphere. living in America i can say that it is an American thing but i can not say that it is limited to America, though i have not heard of any out of the country. King Richards Faire is a hugely popular Ren faire back in my home state of Massachusetts. they are lots of fun! in a way its kinda like a highland games event, lots of historical events and competitions, and a lot of venders selling swords and crowns and things of the like.

OK... You have specified three distinct historic periods- the Renaissance, the Medieval period, and the Dark Ages. Renaissance Festivals, as noted by the title, are based around the Renaissance period, which ended some time in the 1600's. Kilts, at least the phillabeg and feile mor, are most appropriate, as the first documented existence of them is from a late 1500's wood carving.

"The earliest picture we have of a belted plaid comes from after 1600. The exact dating is uncertain but it would seem to be from the first decade of the 17th century. And there are ample 17th century references to the belted plaid so we know its use became nearly universal among the Gaelic Highlanders. When trying to recreate one of the first belted plaids from the late 16th century, it is necessary to extrapolate from what we know of the garment from later times. We know is was untailored. It consisted of a length of woolen material or a linen-wool blend, most often of tartan pattern (although solid colors were worn as one early 17th century portrait of a Campbell chief attests to). The length would appear to have been between 4 and 5 yards."

http://www.scottishtartans.org/kilt.html

The Renaissance festival in Colorado is a charicature of Renaissance England, so there is no reason why Scots would not have come to visit. King Henry happens to be our patriarch. So with that in mind, here's a link to the Colorado festivals website:

http://www.coloradorenaissance.com/

And the national Renaissance Festival chat board. It has so much information that it will take you weeks to digest it all!

http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php

As Z said, it's just a goofy good time loosely based on a time period.

[Mickey]

We have a Ren Faire and Pirate Festival here too.
http://www.renstl.org/main/index.php...article&id=157

What is it? A lot of fun. Why do they have them? It's a lot of fun!

I think of it as a giant masquerade party. A chance for people to let loose and romanticize about a period (periods?) that they enjoy. To actually take part in a bit of the past instead of just watching re-enactors in a theatrical environment. To be a character instead of themselves for a day or so without judgement. To watch other people do the same. It's a party!

Personally, I don't really "get" or get into ren faires myself too much on a certain level, but they are wonderful for people watching. In other words... it's fun on many levels.

The best thing I ever saw was many years ago. A live action chess game. A field marked off as a chess board, and each battle, even between pawns, was a fight with swords. (Think Harry Potter, but real life and bigger).

And there are more smoked/grilled/BBQ'd turkey legs than you can shake a.. turkey leg at.

[Chainsaw02]

My wife and I have been attending Ren Faires for several years and really enjoy ourselves. There is always plenty to eat and vendors to buy merchandise from. My avitar is my 15th century warrior persona, Lord Chiansaw of Maclaineshire. Find one, go and enjoy yourself

Larry Dirr FSA Scot

[Silent Raven]

OK... You have specified three distinct historic periods- the Renaissance, the Medieval period, and the Dark Ages. Renaissance Festivals, as noted by the title, are based around the Renaissance period, which ended some time in the 1600's. Kilts, at least the phillabeg and feile mor, are most appropriate, as the first documented existence of them is from a late 1500's wood carving.

partially my point, is that even tho its call a Renaissance fair you often see many different time periods represented, mostly by the visitors and not by the actors/workers. as noted by a previous post about star trek characters and also the storm trooper. And i only mentions the kilt bit because alot of folks here seem to rag on some kilted attire at ren faires because its not historically accurate thats all, next time i go to one ill be wearing a kilt for sure!

and history was never my strong point.... so dress as a knight, wizard, princess, dragon, centaur, fairy, scotsman, shrek who cares just go and have fun!

[Nighthawk]

partially my point, is that even tho its call a Renaissance fair you often see many different time periods represented, mostly by the visitors and not by the actors/workers. as noted by a previous post about star trek characters and also the storm trooper. And i only mentions the kilt bit because alot of folks here seem to rag on some kilted attire at ren faires because its not historically accurate thats all, next time i go to one ill be wearing a kilt for sure!

and history was never my strong point.... so dress as a knight, wizard, princess, dragon, centaur, fairy, scotsman, shrek who cares just go and have fun!

I do see your point, and you're so correct about that! I was simply trying to help clarify for the OP what a Renaissance festival is officially.

So with that in mind, here is some of the silliness of the Renaissance Festival:









And some of the best I've seen!



(Not to toot my own here, but I took this picture. These guys are part of my living history group.)









And all of it together makes you do this!



So as you can see, there is a lot of silliness, but the cast really do make an effort to be as period-accurate as they can. At least, at the Colorado festival, they do. Those of us who go in costume and participate, but are not officially on cast, are referred to as "playtrons" and are often, as in my case, known by name by most of the cast. (Most of them marvel at the fact that my Highlander garb is actually period accurate- meaning no fancy doublet, frilly shirt, those silly heavy leather brogues from Native Earth Leather, my face isn't blue, no feathers in my insanely huge bonnet, etc, etc... I wear a correct wee kilt, simple tunic-style shirt, bonnet, thin leather hand-made shoes, and little else.)

[Nighthawk]

OK, so- this was me this year:



I know I said "period correct shirt." That weekend was hotter than the blazes of hell and damnation, so I wore a not-so-correct white broadcloth shirt, instead of my heavy, dark blue linen tunic. I also have a Rob Roy sporran that I like to wear, simply because I haven't yet made my Jacobite period sporran. (Oh, and my kilt looks like crap because I have lost 10 pounds since I made my belt, and my belt was a touch too loose. It's a good problem to have, but it made for an interesting day keeping my kilt together. I have since punched 2 new holes in my belt, so my kilt stays together much better now!! )

And you'll notice- no bracers, no targe, no basket hilt claymore- I'm armed with only a very primitive dirk, showing my position as a common Highlander, instead of a noble, which is what most people want to portray.

So on the subject of the doublet- my living history group met and impressed a Scottish group, who had produced a DVD documentary of what Highland life would have been like in our time period. They sent us a copy, and my doublet is a wool reproduction of one that a gentleman in that group wears (his being made of buckskin.)

OK... and one final picture... My niece, nephews, wife and myself!



I outfitted my family, which is why I decided to post this one!

[English Bloke]

I don't know that much about them either and have never been to one but I do get the impression that although the entertainers may work to be period accurate it's not about historical accuracy for all the visitors so much as dressing up and having a laugh.

Use the advanced search facility to look up threads started by "Zardoz" using the keyword "Fest" and enjoy the variety of photos he's posted. Gives a real flavour of what it's all about. I'd love to go to one meeself, looks like quite the party!

Edit: Great pictures by the way Nighthawk. Your "Fest" threads are good too.

[Nighthawk]

I don't know that much about them either and have never been to one but I do get the impression that although the entertainers may work to be period accurate it's not about historical accuracy for all the visitors so much as dressing up and having a laugh.

Use the advanced search facility to look up threads started by "Zardoz" using the keyword "Fest" and enjoy the variety of photos he's posted. Gives a real flavour of what it's all about. I'd love to go to one meeself, looks like quite the party!

Edit: Great pictures by the way Nighthawk.

Thanks! I was trying to help give that same sense that Z gives, but keep it localized to this thread... Makes life easier on everyone! I love the Ren fests because I can be as silly as I want, or as accurate as I want, and no one says a word. It gives me a lot of flexibility that my usual reenactment events don't. At the Colorado Scottish Festival and Highland in 2 weeks, odds are, I'll be wearing tunic, kilt, belt and sporran, and nothing else. I may even ditch the kilt, and just go for tunic, belt and sporran. It's gonna be hot...