A Different Perspective

[crashbot]

Yep, and as a general rule, the owner of private property is free to restrict expressive activities of others on the property and are under no obligations in relation to the First Amendment. So, you are correct, until the owners change entrance policy, everyone will just have to deal.

Since we are in the "good ol' USA, of which I gave a good portion of my life, blood ,sweat and tears for, we are all free to moan and groan about it.  At least until a mod or owner of this fine site tells us to stop  

[eldatari]

I believe TRF performers also have an official badge.

[Anna Iram]

On a lighter note, I would say Renee has definitly acheived her objective of a very lively discussion! 

[Zardoz]

On the Star Trek thing, take it from this life-long trekkie, it ain't a new idea. I'm not sure when it started, but the Starfleet uniforms at faire thing has pretty much become a pop culture punchline. It's been a joke in Sci-Fi circles for many years, it's even been a running gag on 'The Big Bang Theory'!  Seems like I always see a couple of Trek costumes at TRF, some better than others, and I just think it's funny.  I know it can seem like these folks are being disrespectful towards faire and garbing etc., and while it's possible that someone who owns and wears a Starfleet uniform might think we are as nutty as most of the mundane faire attendees do, I just think they are having fun in their way, in an enviroment that they hope is as accepting as we all say it is.

There were a couple of people at TRF last year in Doctor Who outfits, which I thought where fun, and a couple of folks in Stargate SG1 outfits which I found silly at first, but after my wife pointed out that half of the alien worlds on Stargate looked like a ren-faire in Canada anyway, I thought they were funny too.

[Queen Bonnie]

 I love fantasy and Sci Fi so I enjoy the surprise of the Star Trek officers or seeing DR Who or hobbits or whatever strange new creatures await around the corner of faire!  It is fun!

[Nighthawk]

I don't work at Renaissance festivals- the Colorado fest is actually my favorite festival to go to simply because I don't work at it, and can be a spectator who can participate as much or as little as I choose, which is a nice change of pace. I work the Celtic/Scottish/Irish festivals all over the midwest. So here's my perspective- the perspective of someone who actively works and lives in living history. So here we go...

I am in a living history group called the Renaissance Scots. We portray civilian life in the highlands of Scotland from the late 1600's to the early 1700's. From my point of view, I don't mind if people come to the festival in an outfit that is not period- or more accurately culture- appropriate. At least they made an effort. You can tell by the details that they actually researched and thought out their outfits. To beat a dead horse, they made a real effort. The ones who irritate me are the ones who come to festivals looking like freakin' Braveheart, with tablecloths wrapped tightly around their legs and swords bigger than they are strapped to their backs, and faces painted blue. Or the people who wear great kilts and don't bother pleating them. If you're going to wear a kilt, do a little research and find out how to actually wear one!! I don't care if you've wrapped your kilt badly, as long as it's actually wrapped- and tartan! (Tartan meaning not just plaid- something with a sett and stripe to pleat to!) Kilts also can be solid colors... but I digress. Weather a real official clan tartan, or a tartan material you can get at JoAnns- it makes no difference! The JoAnn's ones are actually more Renaissance appropriate, anyway. I guess to me, the thing is the actual effort put in. Doing it half assed when the rest of are making genuine effort is what annoys me.

(A fairly important point here- The Celtic/Scottish/Irish festivals are NOT meant to portray any time period like the Ren fests, and are in fact modern cultural festivals instead. So in reality, costumes are not appropriate unless you actually ARE involved with the festival- but I'm not one of the people who complains about costumed attendees. I'm in the minority who actually likes it! Oh yeah- and a kilt and t shirt do not qualify as costume.)

[crashbot]

I like "dark age" history, I play Viking and I know it isn't period, unless you want to use the "renaissance" term to include the Carolingian period. I do my best with what my budget allows, so of course it isn't perfect.  It's funny though, I was born in Ireland, my entire family lives there, and my mothers family tree goes back to the Norse founding of Wexford. I guess it's literally in my blood. 

My cousin did living history back in Ireland and you cant even enter the park in any costumes. I explained that in another thread, though.


I like sci-fi too, but I wont be wearing space marine armor to faire and purging heretics.

[Nighthawk]

I like "dark age" history, I play Viking and I know it isn't period, unless you want to use the "renaissance" term to include the Carolingian period.

Have you heard of this group?

http://www.fjellborg.org/

They're buddies of mine- they've been threatening to kidnap my son for years- it seems blacksmiths were a high commodity with Vikings!

[crashbot]

I like "dark age" history, I play Viking and I know it isn't period, unless you want to use the "renaissance" term to include the Carolingian period.

Have you heard of this group?

http://www.fjellborg.org/

They're buddies of mine- they've been threatening to kidnap my son for years- it seems blacksmiths were a high commodity with Vikings!

No, but I know of some of the groups that they link to from their site. They are European groups.  I'm still new to it, have always held an interest, but it wasnt until recently that I started trying to put together my kit.

[Nighthawk]

No, but I know of some of the groups that they link to from their site. They are European groups.  I'm still new to it, have always held an interest, but it wasnt until recently that I started trying to put together my kit.

It's awesome that you're involved in something like that. I know that the Vikings are a big worldwide group, which is one reason I'm involved with the Denver group. I'm more of a fan and a reader of their email than I am an active member, but the group that I'm in, the Renaissance Scots, is unique among Scottish living history/reenactment groups in that we're a civilian group. To my knowledge there are no others out there, so we're on our own. The Vikings have this awesome global network. Even for someone who is hundreds of years later, they're one heck of a resource! Does your group have a website? I'd love to see it, it so. My group's online home is www.renscots.org.

[gem]

There are a lot of things that detract from the Renaissance mood of Faire MORE, IMO, than bad costuming by playtrons. Pop bottles and paper drink cups are probably the biggest one. It's hard to take it seriously when you see the Pepsi logo everywhere. And for me, carrying around your own dishes and mugs is just as distracting, b/c people in period didn't tote their dishes around with them in public.

I decided long ago that if somebody else's costume detracted from MY day at fair, that was MY problem.

As for the performer in the OP, I feel bad that he feels that way. I understand what he's saying, but it probably bothers him a lot more than it does any of the audience.

[VIII]

"La la la!!"
Costumes happen!
Deal

[Merlin the Elder]

If His Majesty says it's OK, who am I to argue. As ugly as it is, I do like my head attached...

[crashbot]

No, but I know of some of the groups that they link to from their site. They are European groups.  I'm still new to it, have always held an interest, but it wasn't until recently that I started trying to put together my kit.

It's awesome that you're involved in something like that. I know that the Vikings are a big worldwide group, which is one reason I'm involved with the Denver group. I'm more of a fan and a reader of their email than I am an active member, but the group that I'm in, the Renaissance Scots, is unique among Scottish living history/reenactment groups in that we're a civilian group. To my knowledge there are no others out there, so we're on our own. The Vikings have this awesome global network. Even for someone who is hundreds of years later, they're one heck of a resource! Does your group have a website? I'd love to see it, it so. My group's online home is www.renscots.org.

No site, not really a member of any said group. Just look to them for help when I need it. My "group" consists of myself and a friend. We are both crafty though, so we can make pretty much everything we need, aside from some of the smith work.

Working on a tent now, building the frame by hand. Nothing like old fashion work to make you feel good. Especially when you have an unfulfilled IT job, lol.

[Nighthawk]

No site, not really a member of any said group. Just look to them for help when I need it. My "group" consists of myself and a friend. We are both crafty though, so we can make pretty much everything we need, aside from some of the smith work.

Working on a tent now, building the frame by hand. Nothing like old fashion work to make you feel good. Especially when you have an unfulfilled IT job, lol.

Man, do I know that feeling! Building a tent is my off season project. I'm borrowing a friend's baker's tent right now. My buddy and I are building a tent to set up our leather shop in at the Celtic/Scottish/Irish festivals.Post pictures of your tent if you wouldn't mind!