It'sRen Fest time! August 16th - 17th Italian Masquerade Have a stomping good time at our annual Grape Stomp while you tempt your tummy with a pasta eating contest. Get into the Italian spirit with our wine tasting. August 23rd - 24th Highland Fling Witness amazing feats of strength with the Highland Games. Let our Highland dancers captivate you with their toe-tapping skills, while traditional Scottish music fills the air during the Bagpipe Blowout! August 30th, 31st - September 1st Buccaneer Beer Fest Wet your whistle during beer tastings! Drown yourself in laughter while taking in the Pepsi Press-A-Wench and the Amazing Pirate Stunt Show! Wine, Romance & Song Renew your wedding vows or woo your loved one as Romance fills the Realm this weekend. Tantalize your taste buds during wine tastings. September 13th - 14th Wonders of the World Marvel at dances from around the world including the mystical intrigue of belly dancing shows and competitions. Kids join in on the fun by learning the ancient art of origami! September 20th - 21st Shamrocks & Shenanigans The luck of the Irish will be with you as you sample beers at our Irish Ale Tastiing. Don't miss the traditional Irish Dances and test your skills at the Hot Potato Contest! September 27th - 28th Chocolate Fantasy Affair Our annual Chocolate Festival will leave a pleasant taste in your mouth as the festival comes to a close with wine tastings, chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate!65 responses total.
So is anybody interested in going? I've got spare armor...
(it's BEEN RenFaire time. that why pez drives to Wisconsin every weekend. you'd better hurry before it closes up for the year.)
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not likely that I'll be in town/have time in a renfaire-compatible fashion. ps--the one in wisconsin is renfest. it confused the hell out of me trying to remember which was which.
ren faire = fake dark-ages trailerpark
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It's like the Art Fair out in the woods, with even weirder out-of-towners than usual.
I'm interested, but then I won't be in Michigan until September anyway...
You're a fake traveller, other: You're No TS.
hmmm...happyboy has a point. come to think of it, I rarely find that these things are all that exciting. the fun does not outweigh the hassle and the being-overcharged-for-everything-you-didn't-really-want.
Depends, I guess. For me it's mostly the people-watching. And at least at the Michigan one, once you've bought your ~$14 ticket all the food and beverages are reasonably priced, even the alcohol.
Isn't there a Ren Fair in IL anytime soon, like in 2 weeks? I think my sis is going to one.
Can't...watch...people....Busy...graduating... :)
I'd go if I could. Moving in less than one week. Anyone wanna help me move? Anyway, I think Rennfaire requires a serious suspension of taste- not just of disbelief- but if you can manage it, it's a lark. I'm told that the Ohio one is friendlier. I really like the on in Ontario. Looking at the schedule, it looks as though they are going rather later into the year than I recalled. Dunno. Have fun!
I'm with you on the taste thing, Kami, but I'm going because my boyfriend LOVES it. I need to start dragging him to SCA events. ;-) (He goes for the Guinness, turkey legs, bread bowls, and pirates, and I DO like the jousting, so it isn't ALL bad. I just have to avoid looking at the women in the "wench" bodices). I've decided to be pirate-ish for pirates weekend; though, I suspect many people will be, thanks to the Disney movie. I'd often thought of making a genuine lady-pirate outfit (and there were women pirates of some fame), so I guess this is my chance. I have two weeks. Wish me luck. :)
Who goes to a rennfaire for Guinness? It's nasty there.
sad.
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Pretty much.
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resp:15 You'll have to enlighten me: what's bad about wenches in bodices again?
Members of the U-M Credit Union can get adult tickets for $12 (regular price $15.95) and children's tickets (age 5-12) for $5 (regular price is $6.95). Farmer Jack sells tickets for $13.95 adult, $5.50 child if you're not a member of UMCU. I went once, several years, ago, and every year I intend to go back. I haven't done it yet, but maybe this is the year. The WWW site says they have rides. Anyone know how much they charge, and how many types of rides they have? I'd love to see jousting, if it's not too frightening for younger kids. Do they have it continuously? I couldn't find any schedules on- line at http://www.michrenfest.com.
Jep - your kids would probably love the jousting. It doesn't involve fake blood or anything like that, and I'm sure they'd get a kick out of the horses and pageantry. When they aren't jousting, they do "milder" things like hitting fruit off a post while riding their horse... things like that. Just hang out in the Dust Bowl/Mud Pit (depends on weather) and check the posted schedule, if they have one. I usually just ask around. Jaklumen - the one I'm referring to is that ridiculous bodice that modern girls have decided is both historical and sexy. It's neither. It's the one that allows their breasts to HANG over the top (as if that's comfortable). A proper bodice covers the breasts and supports them. It's the original bra. (I actually prefer those as they are a hell of a lot more comfortable than an underwire). Horrid costumes and annoying accents aside, I'm looking forward to spending a day with the boy and our friends. I've been promised a new Claddagh ring since mine had to be cut off at the hospital the other night. :(
I find the wench bodices to be perfectly acceptable. An important part of the people-watching, even. 8P~~~ Jep: I don't recall if the rides are free or not - I think probably they're a dollar or something like that. There's a big "kids kingdom" in the middle with petting zoo, shows (well, shows are all over the place and all free) and other stuff. The jousting is sort of a big pro-wrestling type thing, with a good guy, a bad guy, and a ringside announcer. No blood, not scary. Crowded and in the sun, though.
IIRC the rides were simple ones that at least were imaginable for the time period: trying to climb a steeply angled tree trunk, swinging around in a merry-go-round fashion, etc. No modern "amusement park" rides.
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I remember a big wood-and-rope swing the one time I went. I know my 7 year old would love that. The jousting -- which I've never seen -- sounds fine for John. Now, to find a time when we can actually go...
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resp:23 I can just imagine, really. I mean, really. I'm not a Ren Faire geek, but I am a Camarilla member, and these things have gone around the LARP pike, too. Brrrr, bad memories of cleavage getting costume nominations for XP for months...and alas, resp:24 proves how it just entrances the men... As for the Claddagh ring, cool. Julie used to have one-- forgot precisely what happened to it... something about it going back to the ex. So does it face in or out?
When used as the Irish engagement/wedding band, it is as such: Engaged - crown points toward fingernail Married - ring is turned so crown points at wrist - this is because it now looks like the hands are giving the heart to someone Most people in America simply wear them to show that they're Irish, or they like the story of the ring, or their lover bought it for them. The ring should, traditionally, be a gift and not bought for oneself. In the American tradition, the rules vary, but most people have the crown toward the fingernail if they're single and pointing toward the wrist if they're with someone.
i wonder if most *irish* thinks it's a bunch of wanna-be-ism.
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Re #31 - probably
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Last time I went, I got a bunch of SBA dollar coins to use as tips. Surprised a few performers.
>< --
resp:30 Thanks for the further clarifications-- I was familiar with the common American custom. Now, how do/did you wear it and what interpretation do/did you use, if any? Just curious...
Re #37 - it was given to me by my (Irish) mother for Christmas 1993. I wore it as a "single" person would and then turned it when Ken and I got a bit more serious. Ken's hinting at getting me another one, but I'd really rather not unless it's an engagement ring (and it's waaaaaaaay too early for that).
Wench bodices make me cringe because they look so damn uncomfortable as typically worn at these things. Sarah's absolutely right.
Still, everybody going to a RenFest (and enjoying it), no matter which way seem to enjoy to dress up. Now, there is the difference between those who go for the authenticity ans those who are in for the fun and kick of dressing up. See, last year I could not resist the opportunity to join scott to last year's Renfest, and I am from the Netherlands, even. He honored me by letting me wear one of his hadmade chainmail shirts. Way cool! But heavy. I certainly enjoy it, and like scott am in for the game of watching and being watched. That's why I wore my (not so matching, but genuine) kilt. Have fun, scott.
Looks like I'll be going with a non-Grex group on Saturday, 9/20. I can't imagine Grexers not being welcome, if any show up.
re40: does anyone go to a renfest for *authenticity*? lol
eh ..... time travel?
Hey, that's what I need, a kilt! I could even claim a couple different tartans.
We went this past weekend. It was crowded, but the heat was bearable. I liked the caber tossing, and the Limey Birds and Bocca Musica put on fabulous shows. I also got to see my first live bagpipe/drum corps. THAT was amazing and overwhelming all at once. My boy got a picture of the look on my face when they first started playing. :)
re44: why would you want to make claim to any particular tartan?
It's part of the folderol in wearing a kilt.
I love kilts.
kilts are cool.
Especially in a breeze... ;-)
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me too, arm & hammer toothpaste.
folderol? Is that related to superstitious nonsense?
My son and I made it to the Renaissance Festival today. The jousting
was not too gory for him. ("Dad, why are they pretending to fall off
their horses?") There were many rides for him, costing $1 or $2 each,
and he loved them.
Our major expense was wooden swords; my son got a sword and shield, I
got myself a sword, and we got one for his brother.
He had a great time and is already plotting what he'll buy when we go
the next time.
medieval trailerpark fest.
re: way back there on the wench bodices-- *chuckle* talked to a good lady friend of mine who does Greenwood here, and she informed me that unfortunately, maximum cleavage was the historical idea-- in fact, Queen Elizabeth had nipple showing (the painter just graciously decided to cover it with lace in a portrait of her). The idea was to show fertility.
Cleavage is one thing. Modern bras give cleavage. Hanging OVER the bodice so that they look like two drooping bags is NOT sexy or proper. They should be tucked into the bodice so that it acts like a bra. This still allows for cleavage and looks MUCH better. :-P Renfest was annoying and expensive, but I got to see my boy, and that was the reason I was there.
Perhaps I should have clarified. But ah, it's all lumped into the same strangeness.
Looks like I'll be going this Sunday (the 21st) with a non-Grex group.
Have fun!
Oops, it was today that we were scheduled to go. I got a call on my cell phone while I was biking in Gallup Park... so I set a land-speed record getting home, showered, grabbed some chainmail and headed out to meet up with my friends and drive up. Had a pretty good afternoon, got lots of compliments on my armor.
Oh, wish I'd seen you! I went today with Rhiannon and her friends (and Griffin, in his stroller). It was my first time at the Ren Fest, and I loved it. Even if I didn't see half of what I wanted to!
Should have some pics pretty soon. Especially...um...interesting will be the "this is why I need more padding under the armor" shot taken after we got back to the car. Serious waffle-skin. :0
I betcha. Ow. I am glad that I only wore a skirt and shirt and bodice.
I've uploaded the waffle-skin photo to grexergallery.net, might take a bit to show up on the site.
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