Faire: Should it be Fantasy or Historically Accurate or a Mix?

[bellevivre]

Just to add my two cents:

Even the SCA isnt entirely accurate- I have seen far too many reigning monarchs with eyeglasses and other 'anachronisms'...

The only way to be entirely accurate would be to build a time machine and actually go there.

Barring Playtrons due to thier garb is a BAD idea... it makes the organization look bad, and makes the people who are PAYING TO BE THERE feel bad about themselves, and maybe not return.

I think, when done well, you can have a good mix... like, the fae not directly interfering with the 'historic' cast, or if they do, the 'historic' cast cant see them...

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I may have written this earlier, but I have no plans to go back through 18 pages to see.

At the Bristol Ren Faire, one of the largest and oldest in the country, Queen Elizabeth's Sheriff has run in's with Robin Hood, Maid Marian & the Merry Men at least 5 shows a day in the lanes.  At some point, the "good guys" shoot some kind of pistol at them.

Since Robin Hood was in the 1200's, QE 1 in the 1500's, and my husband says the pistols are from the late 1600s,  I guess the patrons don't care, because they come in droves, the faire doesn't care, because paying people come in droves, and I don't care because everyone has a good time.

And even when the Costume Director asked me to lower my skirt and cover my bloomers while I marched in the parade because they were too bright, I didn't care!  She actually told me they were really cute, and I was ecstatic that she even noticed them!

When everybody has fun, everybody wins, because then we know the faire will continue.   

[shadowcat546]

Hey. My $0.02 cents worth.  As a reenactor who does 1700s-1850's, I am not 100% hist. accurate.  I do the best with what I've got.  I hate garb nazi's (including the ones who weren't going to let me back to an event the next year (to sell my goods) because I was dressed as a sailor  instead of a girl   )

At renaissance festivals, I say _most_ anything goes. I wouldn't mind seeing Ash (Army of Darkness) again, or stormtroopers, or star trek.  I'd rather they keep it to the Comic Conventions, but, hey.  At least they have the underlying "love of dressing up, no matter the looks from mundanes" attitude !!

Faires or festivals should be a blend of real life characters, and a touch of fantasy (fae, dragon, oriental food booth, etc).
Life is too short to worry about little details !!  (coming from someone who appreciates being around after surviving cancer twice, 30, and 33)
Shannon.  so.-east Mich.

[Carl Heinz]

Since Robin Hood was in the 1200's, QE 1 in the 1500's, and my husband says the pistols are from the late 1600s,  I guess the patrons don't care, because they come in droves, the faire doesn't care, because paying people come in droves, and I don't care because everyone has a good time.

When everybody has fun, everybody wins, because then we know the faire will continue.  

My Lady, you've hit it exactly.

Folks come, pay, and have fun.  We work at developing personas, having approvable costumes, and try to keep in character because that's what we enjoy.

As an aside, is Fieda your costume director, too?  Are Susan and Ron still working at Bristol.  If so, please say Hi from Carl and Judy.

[bellevivre]

At renaissance festivals, I say _most_ anything goes. I wouldn't mind seeing Ash (Army of Darkness) again, or stormtroopers, or star trek.  I'd rather they keep it to the Comic Conventions, but, hey.  At least they have the underlying "love of dressing up, no matter the looks from mundanes" attitude !!

Hey, technically Ash IS HA...lol if you take the movie as truth 

now if only the guy who does him were as scrumptious as the REAL Ash... *droolBruceCampbelldrool*

[shadowcat546]

Hi Bellevivre.  WIthin the last 3 yrs, I saw two "Ash's" dressed very like his character (including the chainsaw on hand, rippe shirt). Really had the right build, was handsome, posed for a pic for me.  I'll try to find it.

[Dinobabe]

I also reenact Civil War, which I love, but talk about the worst garb Nazi's of all time!  I understand that we are portraying a much better documented (i.e. military manuals, supply logs, etc.), more recent time period, and the reenacting of actual events so it is easier and more necessary to have more accurate clothing.  But some of these guy start counting button hole stitches like their life depends on it.   I completely quite going to a Civil War forum because of some of the hateful things that were said there, including the fact that women couldn't dress as soldiers because they didn't fight during the Civil War (uh, so what about the 400 DOCUMENTED cases of disguised female soldiers and the estimated 4000 women that fought in disguise?).  While I, too, would rather keep the storm Troopers to scifi cons they don't bother me and are welcome if they will take some good humored ribbing!   It all boils down to what you like.  I like firing a 12 pound cannon.  I have a GREAT group of guys (and now 4 additional woman soldiers!) that love having us.  Do I get dirty looks from time to time?  Yes.  Do I have fun anyway?  You bet!

[Dayna]

Ron and Susan Fry retired from Bristol after 2008, they're off doing other things and from the sounds of it having a wonderful time.  We miss them, yet I am extremely grateful that Bob Brinkman took the reins.  This year has been incredible, and I hope he returns to lead us again in 2010.

Musketeers Are Not 400 years away from Elizabeth I, that would make them either 1100's or 1900's.  The Snark couldn't even get his snark right!!!  They are from the late 1500's in Spain to the mid and later 1600's in England.  So you're certainly Not That Far out of period, especially if you come from Spain.  Wear your garb proudly!!

Dayna

[FrogPrincezz]

I can not recall where I read it but I once came across something that said that Native Americans in this time period would not be H/A. And I've noticed that a representation of Native Americans as well as Africans, Asians and East Indians are greatly missing.  Where there not peoples of color in the Queen's England?

[Rhiannon]

I definitely agree that it should not/cannot be historically accurate. If you try to enforce this, you are going to alienate a lot of people. Face it: this garb costs a lot of bucks. Not all of us are handy with a needle and thread. And a lot of the patrons who come in garb (and that includes myself and DH) simply can't afford to spend a lot of money on clothes and weapons and jewelry. Some of us are on very limited budgets and have to scrimp and save to go to the faire. This includes gas, hotel room, ticket money, food and drink and money to spend on a little something from the vendors. So not all of us can wear stuff that is HA and sending the fashion police after paying patrons is not good for business. Some of us have garb that includes a little bit of this and a little bit of that and is not HA at all. The jewelry I'm going to wear this year is all that I've made myself.

I think the whole point is to come dressed any way that you like from any era or no era and have fun.

[FrogPrincezz]

Unless you are a noble person, garb of a little bit of this a little bit of that would be H/A, would it not.  The peasant class may have inherited a garment from someone, swapped with a neighbor who's youngest has out grown it, you get the picture.  The merchant class may still have some pieces from before they had a little money.  And as folks from the 21st most of us only know what we see on t.v. and in movies, who are known to fudge what is and isn't H/A, for the sake of appearances.  So wear what you like, although I have a bit of problem with the fur clad bikini viking women, and bikini chain-maille chicks, put some clothes on already. yeah yeah if you read my intro you know that I on one occasion dressed as a fur clad viking woman but it wasn't a bikini it was a mini skirt and halter.

[Rhiannon]

Last year at the faire I saw a ninja. This year I will be looking for a samurai. Though I think that would be pretty cool to see!

[Rowan MacD]

When everybody has fun, everybody wins, because then we know the faire will continue.   

Thank you Lady Renee...and Amen!
  I even get a kick out of the Goths. 
  I also do western/civil war era characters, and I can assure you Garb Nazi's (or Period Police as they are referred to in the SCA) are EVERYWHERE. 

[SirRichardBear]

Last year at the faire I saw a ninja. This year I will be looking for a samurai. Though I think that would be pretty cool to see!

I always feel sorry for the ninja all that black tight fitting clothing with face covered and its 103 in the shade.  We had a samurai at Scarby a season or so back he looked great also had an entire family dress in the uniform of the Greek Royal guard no H/A for 1533 but totally rocking to see.  Of course being scottish wearing a small kilt and carrying a 18th century style basket is totally H/A but it is what the average joe thinks of when he thinks of a highlander.

[Seryn]

I've never dressed totally H/A a faire-day in my life.  Part of it is because I'm always scrimping and coming up with whatever I can and then when I did have money to buy all new garb, I bought what looked fun to me.  I'm utterly unconcerned with being H/A.  I think people who are concerned with accuracy are awesome, and more power to them so long as their not being garb nazis.  But I like a mix of history and fantasy.  Mostly I just want to dress up, see others dress up, and have a good time.