What you wish you knew your first visit to faire ...

[Blushing]

So I had some folks ask me today what I would tell someone before their very first visit to faire ... kinda of like a Beginner's Guide to Faire.  Any thoughts?

[Blushing]

And while I was momentarily tempted to say EVERYONE dressed in period-correct garb, I refrained.     They were rather relieved the jeans/shorts and T-shorts would be fine - if not as much fun.

[Rubiee]

Don't be afraid to play along... In fact it's encouraged!
Laugh, have a good time....
When a cast person talks to you, don't look at them like they're crazy. You PAID for this experience, might as well get your $$$ worth!

[Mistress Charlotte]

That is was theater all day
That I should be aware of tipping
That there are other cast members besides the King and the Queen
And that they encourage you in interact with them.

[Capt Spleen]

......what I didn't know the first time I ever walked thru the gates of a renfaire...... Absolutely nothing at all. Just the idea of a period in time I might get to experience.

And as all faires have something different to offer. I still can get that feeling from time to time. Or at my home faire where every once in awhile, a new show, act, street performer has invented something clever, or food item, theme, ......whatever. Change can be good.

*And change will be in the air for me first weekend*

Look for something completely different, yet very familiar.

[Radu the Gypsy]

Dont eat the Turkey Legs, Tipping is not a city in China, and if the Elephant is bearing down on you, get out of the way.

[Avan]

Make sure you drink something more than alcohol. 

Eat something. Be adventurous and eat something different.

for the ladies:  Don't wear high heals.  Its okay for your next trip when you learn the terrain.

Enjoy and interact with the people dress differently than you.

And always:  Don't Forget the SUNSCREEN.

[Norfolk]

.... That Faire is basically a giant, open-air Halloween costume party where everyone, adults and children alike, get to play!

[Capt Gabriela Fullpepper]

It's a great place to people watch

As Avan Said but drink lots of it and NOT alcohol i.e. water

Lots of money not required but could make te day funner

Talk to people in garb they don't bite

Be prepared for extreme hot to extreme cold for the time of year and expect rain

Bring your camera

Dressing in period style clothing inhances the experience

Comfy shoes never High heels ever unless you want to injury your anckles

Compliments to others bring smiles

Try to sample all you can as there is so much to see but try not to spend to much time in anyone place

Eat at off hours as the lunch time rush will take much time out of your day

[Hey- Arent You?]

if you want to dodge crowds, go left from the gate and work around counter clockwise (widdershins. it's the UN-doin.)
if you want the easier path re: hills & incline, go right & clockwise.
Shade hop and don't stand in the sun too long.
don't tease the elephants. they can and will reach you if they want to.
don't get irritated at the hawkers. banter back.
if you came  cranky, yer gonna stay that way.... so don't
if the guy from vegetable justice makes you angry, he wins.
sit down and watch the shows.
if you just want to shop, and not be entertained, go to the mall instead.
if you want to start a fight, remember that the participants weapons are not peace tied. yours is.

[Zoë]

Tip the foodies, not just the bartenders, it's only polite.  Even if it's just a coin or two.  It adds up and we always appreciate it - that's why we say "Huzzah!" 

No need to rush around the site, you have all day to take it all in.  It's probably a good idea to take a few minutes with the program map and outline the shows you want to see, so that you can make sure to see them.  Even better if you plan out a route to hit all the shows on the way.

You don't HAVE to come in garb your first time out - in fact it's probably better if you don't, because I remember my very first time at faire quite vividly BECAUSE I was in plainclothes and got made fun of for being naked.  It just made a lasting impression that made me want to come back.  We love the 'danes just as much as we love playtrons and rennies, because honestly, without the 'danes, we probably wouldn't be in business anymore.

Think twice about buying a clothing item or weapon that's very expensive that you may not ever wear or use again - as cool as it is, you will probably feel remorse about it later.  If you feel like you're going to come back, wait till that second or third trip to commit to new garb, because there's nothing worse than blowing a lot of money on something that you might never use again. 

It's okay to ask questions of people in booths, foodies, people in garb...if you're lost we're happy to help you find the way. 

Play along!  It's a party!

(All these tips are great - my beau is coming to faire for the very first time this season and I'm definitely going to read him some of these tips!)

[Mischief Snicklebritches]

When someone tries to play with you....dont go  and walk away,. If you don't want to play and be interacted with, then you just wasted $26. Its like going to Disney and punching Micky Mouse....you just dont do it.  Its not a place for you to come and ignore people, because I promise ....someone will see you being a scrooge and pick on you mercilessly.

I agree with Zoe about the not buying super expesive stuff your first time. A souvenier is cool, and regardless of what you buy its going to be overpriced so just resign yourself to that fact right now lol. But you really don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on garb or anything that you may never wear again. I would also wait and see if you are goin to like the fair enough to come back several times before investing in garb.

however! if you have, or can borrow garb, come dressed in it! It makes the experience 100 times better I think.

[Hey- Arent You?]

off topic... sorta.... if you are in garb, people tend to get out of your way.  it's funny how you get used to it, and begin to take it for granted.  then you go to...the zoo, or spring spree, or the mall, or the airport... and people don't move and it takes a while to figure out why...and it's annoying.

the you start wearing your costume to the zoo, and the mall......

[Norfolk]

Also on a lighter note ....

When people ask me what they should do to prepare for their first visit to the festival, I say the first thing to do is fill your bathtub with sunscreen ....

[Tanda]

Sunscreen
Water
Oxygen
Leave the stroller at home. You will be happier carrying the kid. Wagons are good. Pulling is easy than pushing. Especially uphill.
Take it easy. Don't try to see it all at once.
Watch the 2:30 joust - it's the best.
Bring cash for food and drink. I wasted a lot of money on ATM fees the first year.
It is perfectly OK to sit down, take a breather and watch people.
Wave back at the parade.
Watch your children.
Sunscreen - can't say that enough.
Also, water - can't emphasize that enough, especially for out of staters. It's Dry here.
Play nice.