What is the #1 benefit that you get from a Renaissance Faire?

[Stalkwell]

Well, I exaggerate a bit... it's really TENS to HUNDREDS of Thousands of photos.  And a few are worth keeping  

http://www.stalkwell.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=43

Stalk Well...

[cowgrrl]

I echo what others have said but I have to add that for me Faire is a great creative outlet.  I love to express myself through my clothing & Faire is a great outlet for said creativity.  I love deciding whether to be a bellydancer or a pirate fairy or to go completely 'off-scrip' & go steampunk or like I'm going to a tea party with Alice in Wonderland.  Its so fun to dress up & faire is a fun way to get out that desire to play with my clothes.

[Rani Zemirah]

Fond memories that will last a lifetime, and the friends who make them so memorable... 

[RumbaRue]

Most of the smaller faires I go to, I've become friends/acquaintances with many and the only time I see them is at the faires.

This Sat. May 8 I'm going up to the original Renaissance Pleasure Faire (the one that started it all) at the Santa Fe Dam in Irwindale, CA. I went when they first moved there after San Bernadino, and thought it wasn't very good.
I have tickets now and going with good friends to see if or how it's changed for the better or worse. It's been a few years and I've heard many conflicting things and wish now to see for myself.
I know there are people still there that I know well and if I run into them, I'm sure a lot of hugs and smiles will still be about.
Anon.

[Pat McGroin]

Hangovers, blisters and sore calves. It's all good because I get them with fairemily.

[Rowan MacD]

  1)Dressing up and playing like a child again.   
  2)Making people laugh and like themselves with outrageous compliments.
  3)Meeting old friends and making new ones every year! 

~Rowen Mac D

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

The wonderful friends I've made at faire or through the forum.  When I finally meet people, I feel like I've always known them.  And the fact that whenever we go to visit a different faire, there will most likely be someone there we "know," and so we feel like long lost relatives who've come back rather than complete strangers.

Also, the music that we love is all in one place, with so many different talented artists.  It's much better than going to a concert, because you can see several acts all in the same place, while wearing clothes you love and seeing them with people you love, too.

[ladylissame]

Honestly, the friends. I have made so many friends because of faire that it is unbelievable.

[Fairdos]

friends and a chance to be most like myself. Also to be able to express myself as when I was with a theater group doing faires and things!

[Adriana Rose]

I get to play dress up and get paid lol


Everyone has forgotten the EPIC HUGS! No one I know out of faire gives the hugs I get at faire!

[Merlin the Elder]

Getting away from the real world, if only for a while. It recharges my mental batteries.

[Sir William Marcus]

Ditto, and not to mention being reacquainted with good friends.

[Rubiee]

Freedom, family, laughter, relaxation, joy, the ability to be myself....

I simply think I would be less of a person without a ren faire.

[Bugsy]

#1, new friends!  going to faire, you automatically have someone to hug, to talk to, to joke with, share an ale with, etc.

Also, the people, all around, they're just people I like.  If I walk into a mundane tavern (for example) and give people a hug, kiss on the cheek all with my cleavage showing, I'd be considered a slag.  And it's happened, 17 million rumors the next day.  The difference in people and perspective is overwhelming.

[LadyFae]

Time away from my husband!!!!!  =D  And an outlet for my theatrical side that isn't often allowed out to play.