WARNING!

[Master James]

I hate to be such a downer after such a faboulus weekend but I thought it was important to put this out there so that others don't have to deal with it.  It was reported to me that evidently the jerks that think its fun to put stuff in people's drinks are back again.     From what I'm told by his lady a friend of mine was at the Dragon during the last hour and only had 1 or 2 drinks and then they left at the end of faire.  All was fine until they got home and he went to do something and went face first onto the floor and stopped breathing.  According to her this happened 5 more times during the night.  Thank god she was there and was able to revive him.  The only thing she can think of is that someone slipped something into his drink at the Dragon during that last hour.  She did report it to the police but still, PLEASE watch each other's drinks at the Dragon so that this doesn't happen to you.  Hopefully they will catch this person or persons and throw them in jail where they belong and get them out of our faire for good! 

[Scotsman]

Holy sheeps buttocks! This sucks!

Man, I would love to catch someone doing this ... it would take the jaws of life and 12 firemen to get both my Sandlers outta their ... A@@

[Amras Elfwine]

If this happens to any of you my friends, please don't stay at home, go immediately to an emergency room for proper care...plus, a documented tox-screen is the only way the police will stay interested...

[RSLeask]

... well, they'll certainly stay interested if it happens to me, since I'd probably be traveling the Beltway at the time it hit, and said tox screen would be part of an autopsy. 

And Scotsman, I'll be right there with you.  Messing with someone's tankard is the worst offense.  Answerable with severe beatings.  Especially when it involves this kind of thing.

[Lady de la Warr]

Yes, I was told the same thing Master James - I believe by the same lady who told you. This is a real shame.

People - be very careful. Do NOT set your drink down any where and if you do and take your eyes off it - even for a second, pour out the contents and get a new drink. And NEVER take your tankard/goblet from someone you don't know who may hand it to you and drink any of the contents. Again, pour it out and get a new one. While it's a real shame to waste a "good" ale/mead, you are better safe than sorry.

And I agree - they'd better not let any of us catch them in the act. I'm afraid there won't be much left for the police to arrest.

[Cherry'n M'Crack]

That is absolutely awful.  Cannot go anywhere and have a great time without someone putting a damper on the day.  Cover the cups!!

[Lady Neysa]

This is despicable.  It can't be true ren folk that are doing this.  At least I'd like to think its not....be careful everyone. 

[RSLeask]

Oi, if they were, God have mercy on them, because we sure as hell wouldn't.  But no, can't see them being true rennies either.  I don't think anyone of us in the crowd here would possibly be that stupid.

[~pixie~]

News travels quickly, as this kind should.  I heard the same thig yesterday evening at the White Hart.  Even though the initial event took place at the Dragon, the advice shared by others thus far would apply in all places, not just at one pub. 

There's got to be one @ss in every bunch, and hopefully, we'll find this one and be shed of them quickly! 

In the style of Jerry Springer...Please, take care of your goblet, and, each other.

[RSLeask]

News travels quickly, as this kind should.  I heard the same thig yesterday evening at the White Hart.  Even though the initial event took place at the Dragon, the advice shared by others thus far would apply in all places, not just at one pub. 

There's got to be one @ss in every bunch, and hopefully, we'll find this one and be shed of them quickly! 

In the style of Jerry Springer...Please, take care of your goblet, and, each other.

That's actually pretty funny, cuz we work that around a little...

and hopefully, we'll find this one and be shed of them quickly, in the style of Jerry Springer!

But yes, a very good sentiment.  Keep your eyes on each other's drin... hey.  Hey!  Scotsman!  I said eyes, not hands!

[BCH]

Hopefully faire management and their security staff will get a handle on it sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately there seems to be a bit of the undesireable element beginning to lurk at MDRF. My wife and I have been long term faire goers at MDRF, it has been our favorite faire well worth the 3+ hr drive and expenses for the weekend; it was a bit disappointing to watch ill disguised pandering last year right in the open with money changing hands, not once but many times over the course of the day in one particular spot.

My biggest concern is for the children attending the faire; especially if Mickey's are being put into drinks.

[Scotsman]

First, I feel this incident does not reflect on the faire or its management. As for the your comment "undesirable element" - I would appreciate if you expanded on that. What you just did I like to call a hit and run and frankly is not fair.

Friend, you cant just drop in with 4 posts to your name, drop a bomb without expanding on it and then jog away like that.

My opinion is that MDRF Security, Staff and Management do a phenomenal job putting out a great, safe, entertaining product for adults, kids and families alike.

Also remember that this type of thing (if in fact it did happen) is a reflection of one idiot ... not faire. And further it can happen at ANY faire, bar, pub, club, etc ... in the country.

Please.

[BCH]

Scotsman,
"you cant just drop in with 4 posts to your name, drop a bomb without expanding on it"

okay, fair enough..

If this was an isolated incident, I would not have mentioned it at all.

During the Celtic/Scottish Weekend July of  2008, at the White Hart Tavern a "gentleman" collected money ($20 each time) from other "gentlemen" in exchange for coping a feel from the young ladies with him; licking ice off of their breasts; and/or taking a photograph. This group was at the White Hart on Saturday every time we stopped back for a drink or to catch the entertainment at the White Hart, thus I do not consider the behavior to be isolated but rather flagrant. (isolated to a single day perhaps..)

One of the other 'undesirable elements' was the man who was abusing the woman he was with (shoved and struck), also at the White Hart. On Sunday we avoided the White Hart almost entirely, especially when we noted that some of the same people were still frequenting the place. In retrospect, we should have sought out security on Saturday and if we observe the same behavior this year we will do so.

Had the warning of what happened at the Dragon not been mentioned here, there would have been no post from me on what we observed last year, as my wife and I were hoping it was not a common occurrence.  While I realize that the Dragon incident may not have been totally substantiated, the news of it with what my wife and I observed last year is disturbing and caused my wife to consider whether or not to continue to attend. That is a strong reaction from people who have attended MDRF almost yearly from the early '90's and frankly recommend attending MDRF to everyone who is considering going to a RennFaire for the first time.

This is now my 30th year in the Public Safety sector, I am well ware that "it can happen at ANY faire, bar, pub, club, etc ... in the country." I am also aware that unless what is observed is reported, a small segment of society will put a damper on events for the rest.

As a monitor here, I believe you have the ability to contact me 'offline' so to speak; feel free to do so, if you want to discuss this further or in more detail. My intent was not to disparage MDRF, but rather make people aware that the Dragon incident of this year unfortunately may not be isolated in regards to behavior not acceptable at the faire or anywhere else for that matter.

[sir oswyn dagworth]

I really hate to see these types of things happen as they conflict with the aura of faire. Faire is a place to go and be happy, forget your worries, or become someone else for awhile. Unfortunately, some take it to another level, one which puts others in danger for sport. Many have posted previous to me with good tips that I echo. I would also add that if you see anything out of the ordinary like someone getting violent, acting strange, or has obviously had his/her fill then report it to security or at least another faire worker. You can also go to the information booth which is at the beginning of faire just before the maypole and glass blower. MDRF staff take security very seriously I can assure you.

It's hard to serve alcohol and keep everyone totally policed at the same time. Unfortunately, alcohol is the root of many indecent actions.

[Tiggeress]

Scotsman,
"you cant just drop in with 4 posts to your name, drop a bomb without expanding on it"

okay, fair enough..

If this was an isolated incident, I would not have mentioned it at all.

During the Celtic/Scottish Weekend July of  2008, at the White Hart Tavern a "gentleman" collected money ($20 each time) from other "gentlemen" in exchange for coping a feel from the young ladies with him; licking ice off of their breasts; and/or taking a photograph. This group was at the White Hart on Saturday every time we stopped back for a drink or to catch the entertainment at the White Hart, thus I do not consider the behavior to be isolated but rather flagrant. (isolated to a single day perhaps..)

One of the other 'undesirable elements' was the man who was abusing the woman he was with (shoved and struck), also at the White Hart. On Sunday we avoided the White Hart almost entirely, especially when we noted that some of the same people were still frequenting the place. In retrospect, we should have sought out security on Saturday and if we observe the same behavior this year we will do so.

Had the warning of what happened at the Dragon not been mentioned here, there would have been no post from me on what we observed last year, as my wife and I were hoping it was not a common occurrence.  While I realize that the Dragon incident may not have been totally substantiated, the news of it with what my wife and I observed last year is disturbing and caused my wife to consider whether or not to continue to attend. That is a strong reaction from people who have attended MDRF almost yearly from the early '90's and frankly recommend attending MDRF to everyone who is considering going to a RennFaire for the first time.

This is now my 30th year in the Public Safety sector, I am well ware that "it can happen at ANY faire, bar, pub, club, etc ... in the country." I am also aware that unless what is observed is reported, a small segment of society will put a damper on events for the rest.

As a monitor here, I believe you have the ability to contact me 'offline' so to speak; feel free to do so, if you want to discuss this further or in more detail. My intent was not to disparage MDRF, but rather make people aware that the Dragon incident of this year unfortunately may not be isolated in regards to behavior not acceptable at the faire or anywhere else for that matter.

As you say this happened at the White Hart in July of 2008, I do not beleive it happened as MDRF is not open in July.

[Scotsman]

BCH (Barry)

If you have issues to share the last thing I want to do is to take them "off line" ... by all means share. I encourage it! Especially if they concern my "home away from home".

Like you have said, this is a family environment and frankly it pisses me off when I see/hear of this crap!

Thank you for expanding on this ... hopefully it will allow others at OUR faire to be vigilant and weed these bastards out!

My affiliation with the faire is strictly as a playtron but thanks for your fellowship and patronage. Surely you know this type of activity is not indicative of faire as a whole, but a few crappy people who like to screw with our second home.

Lessons all: If you see this crap, report it. Please. My kids go to faire too!

Next time your at MDRF drop me a note, I'll buy you a beer!

[Scotsman]

As you say this happened at the White Hart in July of 2008, I do not beleive it happened as MDRF is not open in July.

Alright ... no need to be snippy ... it was probably hotter than the Serengeti anyway and felt like July! 

[Dallan]

I've been fortunate never to witness any such events. Hopefully it is because they are such a rare occurrence. I agree with Scotsman's lesson, please report any such activity immediately. I too have youngster that attend faire.

Lesson 2:  If $20 a grope is the going rate I've been under charging for Lady Di. Sunday = price increase. (Sorry folks, but I felt the need for a little levity. While this is a serious subject faire should always be fun.)

[Scotsman]

Lesson 2:  If $20 a grope is the going rate I've been under charging for Lady Di. Sunday = price increase. (Sorry folks, but I felt the need for a little levity. While this is a serious subject faire should always be fun.)

Your killing me brother .... lesson 3 - I am kicking your A@@ on Sunday AM

[will paisley]

Lesson 2:  If $20 a grope is the going rate I've been under charging for Lady Di. Sunday = price increase. (Sorry folks, but I felt the need for a little levity. While this is a serious subject faire should always be fun.)

So does this mean you won't be at faire until Sunday, or that I should come find you two on Saturday? 

[BCH]

It was September 13-14 of 2008; and yes it felt like July (I believe it was  94+ degrees on Sat.), especially while wearing a great kilt of 16 oz. wool tartan

In looking for the exact date this morning, I pulled up the original booking for our room  which was made in July and erroneously put down July in my post. mea culpa

As I said, my wife and I have attended this faire since the early 90's and I had attended the faire myself sometime in its very early years. It has been, and remains our favorite faire; we would hate to see it become diminished in anyway.

"Next time your at MDRF drop me a note, I'll buy you a beer!"

Our preferences in beverages seem to be similar; it is rare that I do not have a case of Guinness Extra Stout around.

We will be attending the Scottish weekend at MDRF again this year both Saturday and Sunday in October.

[Dallan]

Lesson 2:  If $20 a grope is the going rate I've been under charging for Lady Di. Sunday = price increase. (Sorry folks, but I felt the need for a little levity. While this is a serious subject faire should always be fun.)

So does this mean you won't be at faire until Sunday, or that I should come find you two on Saturday? 

Both boys have football games on Saturday. One at 8AM the other at 6PM. Can't squeeze in faire.

[Dallan]

Lesson 2:  If $20 a grope is the going rate I've been under charging for Lady Di. Sunday = price increase. (Sorry folks, but I felt the need for a little levity. While this is a serious subject faire should always be fun.)

Your killing me brother .... lesson 3 - I am kicking your A@@ on Sunday AM

Thank you sir. May I have another?