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

[Rowan MacD]

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.

they sort of already have 'faires' for that;
http://www.sassnet.com/EoT/public.php

We have one here too.  I wear my civil war stuff to it . It's between the Ren faire and Pirate festival dates at the same location:
http://wildwestcreations.net/2011/07/23/072311-wild-west-festival-at-the-bellevue-berry-pumpkin-ranch-papillion-ne/

[Jack Daw at Work]

1688 through 1746 - the Jacobite Era in Scotland and England!

Also, I like the idea of a Victorian Era Fest.  Dicken's on the Strand in Galveston lasts only a weekend, unfortuantely.

Texas in the 1830's.

[LadyStitch]

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!

You should try out a Fur Trader's Redevous.  It is set from when settlers first started coming into the america's to the Revolutionary war.  Just as a Renfaire has lanes with booths, so does it.  The fur traders would get to gether ever 6 months to trade hides, catch up on news, find wives, and have a party.  As Renfaire's are to be festivals, these are those big get together's.  I had a chance to go to one when I was 17. I absolutly loved it. Saddly the furthers south they get is St. Louis. I went to mine on Prarie du Chien Wisconsin.  Loved it!

[<Alex>]

1187 Jerusalem.

   This. The Roman era sounds interesting as well. You can get a better mix of east and west, familiar and exotic. A gladiatorial match as a replacement for the joust would be beyond awesome. Does anyone race chariots anymore?

[DonaCatalina]

http://ilovehorses.net/blog/history-2/chariot-racing-the-toughest-22-seconds-in-snow-mud/

[<Alex>]

 And in Wyoming of all places...