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Canadians visiting!

Started by Orphena, August 23, 2011, 06:37:14 AM

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Orphena

Hello friends!

It has been some time since I have been to this forum, but in light of 2 ren trips this year, thought I would renew my acquaintances! M'lord and I will be travelling to visit the Michigan Renaissance Festival for the labour day weekend (likely Sat & Sun), and are looking for any inside information that can be given. We have a hotel reservation already, and are aware of bringing 4 cans of food will get us one ticket for free. I see from reading some other posts that we had best be early to ensure we get through the line in good time - what time is suggested? We plan to dress at the hotel, and arrive ready to go from our carriage.

I am an avid faire goer, and although I had the opportunity to visit your village once several years ago, we arrived later than I like, and I missed the front gate. It was also a very rainy day, and although we had fun, we anticipate very much enjoying your festival for 2 days!

Are there coupon books available somewhere that a non-local can access? Is there things we should not miss?


Thank you in advance for all your kind replies!
Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

Wickedvox

Well met! In order to get good parking, experience small wait time, and see the front gate opening, you should get there at least by 8:30. There will be standing time, but it won't be as long as if you wait til 9 to arrive. Kroger grocery store sells discounted (14.95) tickets, but you can't do the canned goods AND discount tickets, so whichever one is cheaper for you. Don't miss the Zucchini Brothers, they are the best! Also the falconer will be there again this year--ALWAYS a fantastic event! Falcons and Hawks fly right over the crowd in hunting formation--it's fantastic. For more info on entertainment you should visit their website: www.michrenfest.com. See you there!
"Not all those who wander are lost..."

Lady Deborah

We typically arrive at 9:15 and make way straight to the gate for the opening.  Don't miss all the great MRF music: Owain Phyfe, Silent Lion, Boca Musica, and Djilia Phralengo.  Make sure to visit the Dragon's Den for the most beautiful handmade stained glass.  The chocolate shop has had a makeover, and they have many unique and yummy confections. Owain has a revel at 6:15 each day with invited guests to perform at the Jewel Stage, always a lot of fun.  And we have the most gracious and beautiful queen in all the land.

PhoenixRose

Quote from: Wickedvox on August 23, 2011, 09:18:28 PM
Well met! In order to get good parking, experience small wait time, and see the front gate opening, you should get there at least by 8:30. There will be standing time, but it won't be as long as if you wait til 9 to arrive.

I most definitely agree with this. The walk to the front gates can seem longer than walking through the faire itself if you get there too late. The front gate opening is always fun to experience.

From what I have heard is you can each bring 4 canned goods the first day and get two BOGO tickets and just pocket the second for the following day to save you the wait in line. I have never done this myself however, so use at your own risk? Can anyone here verify this? But I am planning on seeing if it would work because the line to drop off can goods can get quite long at times.

Another thing to keep in mind if you are there to enjoy the adult beverages, is that alcohol cannot be served on Sunday until after noon. Not a big deal for most people, but I did hear some complaints about it this past weekend. :)

Captain Cornelius Howard Duckman

Don't forget to get your friends arrested, our local jail is a show in its own right!

Orphena

Thank you all for your most kind replies!

This is preisely the type of information that is most valuable! I always enjoy getting to faire early (I get this sence of anticipation that cannot be ignored, and flustered if I feel we are going to be late!) and your words will convince m'lord that I am NOT insane for wishing to be early!

wickedvox - thanks for the heads up about the falcon show - I always enjoy birds of prey - and to hear it is something more special than simply displaying the birds is wonderful! I have visited the website, but I find it moreof a tease (and not in the good way) than good solid information - the basics are there - especially since they updated it yesterday, but there is no storyline, and a surprising dearth of pictures!

Lady Deborah - Chocolate shop.....yummy! I dabble in making chocolatesat christmas time, and I love to see others at this! With all the music you mention - is there any dancing? I have visitied several faires, and I do so enjoy the chance to trip a reel, or learn a new dance!

PhoenixRose - hmm - I had not thought of that - I suppose it makes sense to only stand in the canned foods line once! That is good advice- though if someone could confirm that this is possible, I would be most grateful! It would be less fun to stand in line with 8 cans, and have to return to the carriage with 4 of them so near the opening! You mention alcoholic beverages - We visited your fine faire briefly several years ago, and I do remember a honey mead - am I remembered correctly? I believe I consumed a fair amount of it, some in thanks to friends who find me entertaining when I am slightly under the influence - entertaining in an elegant, gracious way, they are quick to assure me!

Captain - you share a name with my father! Thank you for the tidbit regarding the jail - although I would not care to spend time in such a place (being a dignified lady), we shall endeavour to slow our steps to watch! Is there a "good" time to be near - or is it all random?
Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

PhoenixRose

I called this morning and found out that you can use the BOGO tickets at any point during the festival. So what you will need to do is bring 8 cans. Then stand in the food drop off line and get two tickets saying you brought cans. Then go stand in the ticket window and buy all 4 tickets for the weekend, making sure you only pay for two. Then just pocket on set and you are good to go for the next day! :)

Captain Cornelius Howard Duckman

All at random, based on how many people we've got in lock up at the time.

Orphena

PhoenixRose - Thank you SO much for finding this out for us! It is very good of you to do so! I really appreciate it!

Captain - thank you for the information, we shall endeavour to linger from time to time!


Who (from the forums) might we expect to meet on our trip on Labour Day? Assuming it is not SO busy that we cannot move! Either m'lord or I will be wearing an RF pin, and keeping our eyes peeled for others - but as I am lately returned, I am less acquainted with others as once I was! If I knowwho I seek, it is easier for me!
Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

Captain Cornelius Howard Duckman

Keep an eye out for the man with the mini rubber duck on his hat... that would be me.

Orphena

Captain - I shall endeavour to do so! If you should sight us first, you may know us in that we are both tall (I myself am 6 feet), and so will likely "stand out" as it were. M'lord wears more hair upon his face than the top of his head, and I shall be wearing a gold gown!
Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

robert of armstrong

#11
Lady Heather and I will also be making the trek from the Great White North that weekend.  Where is your caravan travelling from?  We are coming from Barrie, and we will be bringing our two little ones with us.  We will be driving down Friday and are staying at the Embassy Suites in Auburn Hills for the multiple rooms it affords us for the kids to sleep when we aren't yet ready to sleep.  We will be attending Faire on Saturday, then returning home Sunday; wish we could stay for a second day (green with envy).

I don't know if Zoltan the Adequate is performing this year, but I hope he is.  He's a roit, not to be missed.

Keep an eye out for us - Lady Heather has not yet decided what she will be wearing, I will be wearing a brown vest and pants with an oatmeal peasent shirt, and most likely puling a decorated wagon for the little ones.  I will have a shaved head and a beard, kinda distinctive, or used to be.
Always on the lookout for my next noble cause.

And because a flail don't need reloading, that's why.

Orphena

Greetings Robert!

We shall keep an eye out for you - m'lord and you could be twins were it only hairstyles we judge on! We have a room at the Wyndham in Grand Blanc, but we will watch for you on Saturday - We are departing from Mississauga early Friday morning already! We should pick the same border guard so only one of us has to explain why we go out of province for these faires! (The last guy gave us the third degree - your going where? Why?)

I have seen Zoltan already this year at the CountryRen & at Pirate fest - were you at eiather? It is odd that sometimes we meet more "local" friends by going further away!

M'lord and I will be in noble garb - as noted above - look for the tall ones! We will have an RF pin on as well. A merchant at the fair - LadyFair runs a booth called Rings & Things, and she has a banner a top her shop - we will likley check in there as well, as we met her several years ago.
Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

Wickedvox

Orphena--update: The raptor show is listed on the entertainment but did NOT perform this weekend, so I'm not sure what's going on with that. My husband says he's based in Maryland and may have been batening down for the hurricane. Zoltan the adequate hasn't been there for a couple years. Very sad as he is hysterical! The zucchini brothers are retiring this year so DEFINITELY see them. Lots of great, staple acts are leaving or have left (Tartanic) so see the rest while you can!
"Not all those who wander are lost..."

Lady Deborah

Our group from Indiana's Enchanted Lakes Faire will be making a formal visit on Monday during Labor Day weekend, coming dressed as visiting royalty with a personal blessing from the most lovely and gracious queen of the Michigan faire.  I would love to say hello to you if you see us.

Orphena

Lady Deborah - that sounds most intriguing! We should love to watch how that plays out - currently our budget will not allow for a third day, (and that is our travel day), but if we can manage to swing it, we will, and in that case,we will watch for you!
Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

Orphena

So, we are so very excited for this trip... (I believe I am quivering with excitement!)  but I still have a couple of questions that I am hoping can be answered before we leave! I have been scouring the Michigan Ren Faire website, and they FINALLY updated this weekend's schedule, but I cannot find a listing of what all the acts are! (There is a listing of entertainers, but no description!) I am an over planner, and want to be sure we manage to hit at least a few shows - which probably means paying attention to the schedule for at least one of the days!

So - for those in the know...These are the shows we are considering making an effort to see - but want to be sure we are not going to end up at some kiddie show!  You may notice that these are more acting shows, which we enjoy the most!

Please let me know if I have guessed correctly on the type of show. - Question marks mean I have no idea...

Rogue Blade Show - I am assuming is Fight show
Ric Rac Zoo?
Ded Bob - I have seen the website
One Step Further? Dance?
Idiots Jamboree?
Knotty Nauticals -Pirate Mud show?

Royal Ball - Maypole Stage - is there audience participation at all? (What if I stand on the sidelines and look desperate?)

Ample & Trite - ?
Hob the Troll? (I am assuming troll comedy?)
Shock & Awe ?
Zucchini Brothers - Juggling, by their website..
Drag Race - Field of Honour - I have no idea...

Does anyone know if there is a prize for the costume contest, and what it might be? 

Thanks so much!!!
Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

Kathleen MacLeod

***Rogue Blades is a combination fight/comedy show--I'd say more comedy than serious fighting.
***Ric Roc has two shows--the Stupid Show and the Dumb Show. The Stupid Show is mostly normal comedy, juggling, playing with fire, and all that jazz. The Dumb Show is silent physical comedy. Both are absolutely hilarious.
***Knotty Nauticals--This is done by Pirate Shantyman and Bonnie Lass. I believe they've modified their usual comedy show into more tightrope walking and such.
***Royal Ball is the cast doing morning dance. The fourth and final song is all about audience participation! The Maypole is danced around periodically throughout the day by the Peasant Dancers. I'm not sure whether or not they use audience participation at all with that.
***Hob the Troll--You're right, it's troll comedy. He also sings, plays the accordion, and often hangs out around the bridges on site :)

Those are the ones I've seen enough to have a good idea of them. I'm working during the day, so I don't get to stop and watch shows like I used to :)
Sometimes you can't wait for the storm to pass; you have to just get out there and dance in the rain.

Orphena

Thank you Lady Kathleen!

That helps very much!
Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

PhoenixRose

I hope you have a lovely weekend at our fine faire, and the the weather stays nice for you. :)

Kathleen MacLeod

#20
The weather was ridiculously hot and humid today, but Orphena and her hubby were there anyway. I saw them out and about all day and called her Canada all day long; she said she had a good time, but I suppose she could've been humoring me  ;)
Sometimes you can't wait for the storm to pass; you have to just get out there and dance in the rain.

robert of armstrong

It WAS hot on Saturday!!  I was thankful that I was not in my armor, usually I wish I were.  Our day was limited to around 10am to 3pm, as that was all the heat that the young ones would allow us.  But, it has opened the debate for a second visit this year.....

We had a great time, as was expected, even though it was cut off a little short.  Huzzah to you and yours, MiRF!!
Always on the lookout for my next noble cause.

And because a flail don't need reloading, that's why.

Orphena

Well, we are safe home after a DELIGHTFUL visit! Robert - I think I saw you on your way out on Saturday, but I had no chance to yell out a hello! Was your lady wearing green?

Michigan - you have such a lovely faire - we may make our visit an annual one! Your queen is the most regal, gracious, stunning monarch! I LOVED the variety in the gowns & menswear, the colours, the character interactions! We managed to catch the Zuchinni Brothers, Manolete, Tortuga Twins, and the Washer Women (who were hilarious!) We spent time with some of the regulars down at Guiness Pub, met Graybeard, Stella, and the Dutchman (I've dutch blood in me too!), and met Martin from here (I hope I got your name right!) and the gentleman with the camera whose name I have forgotten, to my shame! Lady Kathleen was delightful - you are too cute!  We interacted with cast, playtorns, and mundanes, and really truly enjoyed ourselves! What a variety of things to do and see!

We stayed at the Wyndham, which was a drive of about 15 minutes. The room was large - plenty of room to get dressed in, they have a pool and a HOT tub which was so nice after a day at Faire (Pool is open until 10). Breakfast included bagels, waffles, eggs, sausages,  fruit, yogurt, cereal, juice and coffee. Staff was nice, several other faire goers there, no odd comments in the morning when we left in full noble attire. The only downside was that the beds are soft - not nearly supportive enough!

We got there early on the first day - the food bank wasn't ready to accept donations until 9 / 9:30, and the ticket wicket did not open until 9:40 or so, which seemed late, considering how long the line was (Somehow we ended up at thefront of the line though!)
. We bought 4 tickets all at once to save ourselves the line on day 2! I would reccomend people aim for a 8:45 or 9am arrival, since on day 2 we got there at 9 and were only a few rows further back.

Thank you to all who made this trip so much fun!
Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

Kathleen MacLeod

#23
Robert, I'm glad you enjoyed our faire and survived the dreadful Saturday heat! That's an achievement in and of itself ;)

Orphena, I'm glad you had such a wonderful time! You had a smile on your face every time I saw you, so I was hoping that meant you were enjoying yourself :) It was lovely to meet you! I was so nervous when I came up to introduce myself that I could hardly remember my character name--just saying "I recognize your garb from a photo on the ren fest forums" is a strange means of introduction!

For those who haven't had the pleasure of meeting Orphena, she's just wonderful. She also gave me the most beautiful favor. I'll have to post a picture when I get a minute.
Sometimes you can't wait for the storm to pass; you have to just get out there and dance in the rain.

Captain Cornelius Howard Duckman

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, lass!

Orphena

#25
Captain Duckman - yes we very much did! It was lovely to meet you as well - and we did catch several jail shows - which were very entertaining! What a unique way to get people involved!

Lady Kathleen - I believe m'lord caught a picture of you:
"http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/ShariO/Michigan%202011/th_ladykathleen.jpg"

And we got several of her Majesty:

"http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/ShariO/Michigan%202011/th_majesty.jpg"

"http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/ShariO/Michigan%202011/th_HerMajesty.jpg"

Luxurious Lady ~ Statuesque Seamstress ~ Winsome Wayfarer
Enjoyer of Elegant Elizabethan Ensembles

robert of armstrong

Quote from: Orphena on September 06, 2011, 04:30:25 PM
Well, we are safe home after a DELIGHTFUL visit! Robert - I think I saw you on your way out on Saturday, but I had no chance to yell out a hello! Was your lady wearing green?


She was wearing a green peasent top with a thick brown waist cincher belt and a brown linen skirt.  Our daughter Abigail (2 years old) was wearing her bubblegum pink princess dress, and our son Evan (1 year old) was wearing a black and red kilt and sash over a baby one-sy dyed with tea to look like linen.  I changed my mind about what I was wearing after we heard how hot it was going to be, and went with a linen shirt, thick kidney belt and a gren and black kilt.

I'm heading back this coming weekend for an armor weekend with one of my buds, but that's another thread.
Always on the lookout for my next noble cause.

And because a flail don't need reloading, that's why.

Kathleen MacLeod

Quote from: Orphena on September 09, 2011, 07:50:29 PM
Lady Kathleen - I believe m'lord caught a picture of you:
"http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v18/ShariO/Michigan%202011/th_ladykathleen.jpg"

He did indeed! Thank you for posting it; I love pictures of morning dance ;D
Sometimes you can't wait for the storm to pass; you have to just get out there and dance in the rain.