If you could set a faire in ANY year you wanted...

[CecilyWilkins]

I think we all love Ren Faire and playing in the Elizabethan Age (or before, as I know some faires are set earlier), but if you could set a faire in ANY year AT ALL and have a guarantee that you would get as much enthusiastic participation as many Ren Faires draw, what year would you choose and why? Or would you still choose the Renaissance?

[Magpie Flynn]

I would love to see a Victorian faire (more than just a 1 weekend Dickens fest)

[dbaldock]

I think it would be interesting to see an "Industrial Revolution" Faire.

Something that would show the progression from completely manual or animal powered production, through to steam and water powered factories.

And there would, of course, be a steam powered train to ride...     

[angusmacinnes]

1187 Jerusalem.

[DonaCatalina]

In 60 BC, Caesar entered into a political alliance with Crassus and Pompey.
Roman Republicanism was dying, the majority of the population was on the grain dole because there was not enough gainful employment in the city. Slaves filled nearly every job from home builder to chmber pot scrubber. (sound familiar?) The Senate was stagnated between the Marians and the Boni political factions.
The wealthiest of Roman society had every imaginable luxury and its women were carried through the streets wearing the finest silk gowns and held lavish parties with upcoming poets, writers and sophists. What was left of the middle class after Sulla's proscriptions kept a very low profile and preferred country villas to city mansions. Houses presented blank walls to the outside world in order not to attempt theivery. The night time streets were rife with robbery and murder by a desperate lower class.

In only 7 years all that would be turned to the chaos and deprivation of the civil war.

[Archer]

In 60 BC, Caesar entered into a political alliance with Crassus and Pompey.
Roman Republicanism was dying, the majority of the population was on the grain dole because there was not enough gainful employment in the city. Slaves filled nearly every job from home builder to chmber pot scrubber. (sound familiar?) The Senate was stagnated between the Marians and the Boni political factions.
The wealthiest of Roman society had every imaginable luxury and its women were carried through the streets wearing the finest silk gowns and held lavish parties with upcoming poets, writers and sophists. What was left of the middle class after Sulla's proscriptions kept a very low profile and preferred country villas to city mansions. Houses presented blank walls to the outside world in order not to attempt theivery. The night time streets were rife with robbery and murder by a desperate lower class.

In only 7 years all that would be turned to the chaos and deprivation of the civil war.

Wide awake, I see.  "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it", ~  George Santayana

As for the year selection topic as theme, 1230 to 1250 range.  Location:  England

[Welsh Wench]

I'd like to see Colonial America in 1776.

The American Revolution is fascinating!

It's the DAR in me....

[CecilyWilkins]

In 60 BC, Caesar entered into a political alliance with Crassus and Pompey.
Roman Republicanism was dying, the majority of the population was on the grain dole because there was not enough gainful employment in the city. Slaves filled nearly every job from home builder to chmber pot scrubber. (sound familiar?) The Senate was stagnated between the Marians and the Boni political factions.
The wealthiest of Roman society had every imaginable luxury and its women were carried through the streets wearing the finest silk gowns and held lavish parties with upcoming poets, writers and sophists. What was left of the middle class after Sulla's proscriptions kept a very low profile and preferred country villas to city mansions. Houses presented blank walls to the outside world in order not to attempt theivery. The night time streets were rife with robbery and murder by a desperate lower class.

In only 7 years all that would be turned to the chaos and deprivation of the civil war.

Wide awake, I see.  "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it", ~  George Santayana

Dona Catalina, Facebook has me well trained, and I'm wishing there was "LIKE!" button on here!

As for the year selection topic as theme, 1230 to 1250 range.  Location:  England

I would love that.

[Lady Rebecca]

I like the idea of 1776, too, or maybe even a little later - more like, young America than Colonial. 1780s would be fun. I know they have that sort of thing on the east coast, but there's nothing like it in CA!

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I like the Middle Ages.  I've been reading the Brother Cadfael mysteries and enjoy them, so I'd like to go back to that time period - for only a little while!   

[Captain Teague]

I'd like to see Colonial America in 1776.

The American Revolution is fascinating!

It's the DAR in me....

Not to get off the topic, but:
http://www.wrenscottage.com/gvm/events/revolution.php

http://pioneervillagesalem.com/

There is another huge one around but I can't remember for the life of me the name or location.(Silver Dollar City sized. Which SDC is a great time too ) Always been an interest of mine as well. Well, considering growing up in central IL., home of all the old timey fall festivals, Abe Lincoln memorials and memorabilia, etc etc etc. 

[Athena]

Regency England, any time between 1800 and 1815, or the 1920s.  

It would really be interesting to see how a Renaissance Faire would carry out during the Jazz Age. The revelry would definitely be there, and also a whiff of intrigue and danger because of prohibition. I'm picturing Renaissance/Tudor/Elizabethan costumes and accessories with an art deco flair.

[Sir Ironhead]

Either Lincoln, New Mexico Territory 1879 or Tombstone, Arizona Territory 1881.

I just love the folklore and legend that comes out of the Old West, especially in those two locations.  This past August I followed the Trail of the Kid in New Mexico and was surprised to find out that Hollywood didn't change as much as people assume.

[dbaldock]

Regency England, any time between 1800 and 1815, or the 1920s.  

It would really be interesting to see how a Renaissance Faire would carry out during the Jazz Age. The revelry would definitely be there, and also a whiff of intrigue and danger because of prohibition. I'm picturing Renaissance/Tudor/Elizabethan costumes and accessories with an art deco flair.

England / Europe didn't participate in the US Laws of Prohibition.  So, the 1920's Faire would have to depict the US, rather than England or Europe.

[Athena]

Regency England, any time between 1800 and 1815, or the 1920s.  

It would really be interesting to see how a Renaissance Faire would carry out during the Jazz Age. The revelry would definitely be there, and also a whiff of intrigue and danger because of prohibition. I'm picturing Renaissance/Tudor/Elizabethan costumes and accessories with an art deco flair.

England / Europe didn't participate in the US Laws of Prohibition.  So, the 1920's Faire would have to depict the US, rather than England or Europe.

Whoops, I totally misunderstood the question. I read if you could set a ren faire in any time period... That's what I get for speed reading on my cell phone!

I'm well aware about prohibition and that the US was the only country to enact it. Did anyone watch Ken Burns' Prohibition on PBS? That was a great documentary!

Back on topic...I'll still stick with those two time periods. I think it would be great to have an early 19th century type village, or Jane Austen event. I've heard of Jane Austen/Regency balls held in the U.S. and England, but it would be really cool to have something outdoors that's held longer. Same goes for the 1920s, although unlike during the actual time period, adult beverages would be served openly!