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The Squire's Tavern => Squire's Tavern => Topic started by: 609wood on August 26, 2013, 08:10:14 AM

Title: Just here for the beer?
Post by: 609wood on August 26, 2013, 08:10:14 AM
I have noticed a lot of the folks here have personas, full costumes, levels of nobility and professions. I have been going to renfests since the 1970's and guess I don't get it. I may pickup a shirt, boots, even a kilt to wear and guess I am "just one of those guys" who sits around and listens to music and drinks beer.  So what is the deal with all the "extra"?  Why a name, profession etc?  Do you talk to folks and tell them stories using your identity?  If your say a bow maker do you carry tools and work on a half finished bow?  The idea seems intriguing and my wife has nice dresses and all the "stuff" and a gift for gab. Do you just strike up conversations with other patrons about being lord or lady whomever? 
Title: Re: Just here for the beer?
Post by: LissaRoisin on August 26, 2013, 08:20:55 AM
Having a story and persona is fun because we love getting into character. It adds a new dimension to the faire.
I converse with patrons, playtrons, and cast in character. I've had staff even thinking I was cast at times.
Title: Re: Just here for the beer?
Post by: DonaCatalina on August 27, 2013, 06:32:30 AM
Since most of the cast at our local faire are friends, we enjoy 'playing along' in character. It keeps the mood for the other visitors who hear and see us.
It's also fun to have an alter ego who gets to come out to play once in awhile.
Quite a few people think we are on cast to the point where we visit another fair we have been introduced as cast members from Scarby, to which we offer polite corrections.
Title: Re: Just here for the beer?
Post by: PollyPoPo on August 27, 2013, 08:57:32 AM
Personally, I like getting a little dressed up (never gone for H/A, just something other than everyday wear).  Because I attend almost every weekend one of the newer faires, I am often mistaken for "cast" by patrons and vendors and once in a while by a newbie cast member who has not met everybody.

People attend faire for a lot of different reasons such as:

Dressing up and being someone else for a day. 

Dressing up in a real princess dress and feeling girlie just for a while.

Dressing up in a pink fairy tutu and all the frills, just cause you want to (even if you are a 250 pound man with a full beard).

Dressing up like a pirate or nobleman for your girlfriend, just because she wants you to (this works pretty good for young love).

Meeting with friends and enjoying just being with them for a short time each season.

Shopping.  Especially shopping for Christmas presents and not-run-of-the-mill items.  (My son-in-law took care of several years of shopping one season at TRF.)

Pub sitting in faire or cooler sitting in the campgrounds, just chilling with friends.  Access to mead, ales, loki, etc. that might not be found anywhere else.  (Lot of people never make it past the first pub.)

Depending on the faire, various foods that are not easily found elsewhere or in such variety.  (Turkey legs are becoming quite common - maybe gotta find another manly meat on a stick option for faire)

Watching multiple live performances, close up - one of the few venues left where people can see entertainers outside a bar atmosphere. 

Every person at faire probably has their own special reason for being there, garbed or not. 
Title: Re: Just here for the beer?
Post by: BLAKDUKE on August 27, 2013, 10:09:18 AM
For the last few years my wife and I have visited GARF.  We are now down to the point where we rarely get past the first pub.  Mainly because my legs are not what they used to be.  We try to make the tea room and the wife likes to visit the animal rescue shelter which is just around the corner.  We have seen most of the shows many times over and we both have enough garb. As for jewelry we can do better at yard sales and local flea markets.  Weapons, I have no more room on the weapons rack.  So sitting and sipping suds with people is most joyous.  Weakened legs notwithstanding if we visit a different faire we try to make one circuit around the faire and then settle in at a pub. I dread to think what will happen to me if I ever get visit TRF ouch.  With all of that I would never attend faire not in garb.  I only did that once and vowed never again.  Even if I am ever confined to a wheelchair, I have devised a plan that will work well and only on close inspection will the truth be revealed.
Title: Re: Just here for the beer?
Post by: arbcoind on August 27, 2013, 11:02:57 AM
Quote from: 609wood on August 26, 2013, 08:10:14 AMI am "just one of those guys" who sits around and listens to music and drinks beer.  So what is the deal with all the "extra"?

I love to sit around and drink beer, but the "extra" makes it so much more fun.  I'm a wench, just because it suits my personality. It's taken me 10 years to acquire my all my wench garb and accessories and I love to wear the many combinations I've come up with.   I like to talk to just about everyone, but about 1/2 way thru the day I'm sitting with friends in the pub....drinking beer....and listening to whatever act is on the pub stage.

Gina
Title: Re: Just here for the beer?
Post by: PollyPoPo on August 27, 2013, 01:08:49 PM
Quote from: BLAKDUKE on August 27, 2013, 10:09:18 AM
For ... if I ever get visit TRF ouch.  With all of that I would never attend faire not in garb.  I only did that once and vowed never again.  Even if I am ever confined to a wheelchair, I have devised a plan that will work well and only on close inspection will the truth be revealed.

More than one mechanical steed may be found at TRF.  Last couple times I spied a mighty warrior standing tall upon his two-wheeled chariot, pulled by an invisible horse or two (Segway as a Roman Chariot!). 

Title: Re: Just here for the beer?
Post by: Zardoz on August 28, 2013, 05:29:07 PM
I like to dress up, but that's about it. Otherwise, being one of those guys who sits around and listens to the music and drinks beer has served me well for years.
Title: Re: Just here for the beer?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on October 14, 2013, 01:53:56 AM
It's the biggest game of Dress-up And Pretend to be found, anywhere!  And everyone who is playing is having just as much fun as everyone ELSE... because it's what we all showed up for!!!   :)


So... we get to play The Most Awesome kid's game every invented... and drink booze at the same time!  ;D  LOL  Well, or not, depending on personal preference... but it's really the GAME, itself, that is the biggest draw, for many of us! 
Title: Re: Just here for the beer?
Post by: darkranger on October 26, 2013, 07:45:45 AM
I call it a mental holiday from everday life...the mundane.  And i agree... love drinking beer at the fest. ?
Title: Re: Just here for the beer?
Post by: <Alex> on December 13, 2013, 09:25:55 PM
  I started getting into garb because my wife loved it and wanted to get more involved. 

  Being the kind of person who likes to try to do things correctly, I started doing a lot of research to ensure that my grab somewhat reflected an actual historical character wasn't a complete wreck of anachronistic and fantasy elements.  If it ended up that way, I at least wanted to be aware of it. I ended up learning a lot of really interesting stuff about Islam, particularly its history and impact on the African continent.  I'm eager to engage in conversation about it, answer questions, dispel myths, and continue learning more. My grab facilitates that. I eventually want to do more: cooking, music/dance, games, stories, etc, but for right now I just mostly garb.

  To make a long story short: I enjoy the reenactment/education/historical element of it.