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The Squire's Tavern => Squire's Tavern => Topic started by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on May 12, 2018, 05:05:16 AM

Title: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on May 12, 2018, 05:05:16 AM
I always wondered about the faire grounds and all the elaborate shops after the faire season came to an end. To pass by the faire grounds and to see it empty must be sad. If only there was a faire year round.  TRF had cameras at one time up and running and you would see the faire grounds anytime , even when the faire had ended for the season. I used to checkout the webcams of the festival grounds on cold gloomy days with ren music playing and how it would take me back to the faire's in my mind.  I guess just nostalgic for the days of ole. I really think I was born a few centuries too late. I do appreciate technology and medicines and fast food, but how simple life would be in "A world lit only by fire".  That is a good book to read also..
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: BubbleWright on May 12, 2018, 11:47:12 PM
The Pennsylvania RenFaire has a lot going for it throughout the year. Since it started as an adjunct to the Mt. Hope Winery, it has expanded it's attendance base with a series of weekend events starting in May going right up to the opening of the Faire, which runs August through October. Then it has theatrical happenings based on Poe and Dickens, ending with a large Christmas Bazaar. Of course, the wine shop is open year round. To see what happens through out the year, check the link below:

www.parenfaire.com/ (http://www.parenfaire.com/)
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on May 13, 2018, 01:20:40 AM
that is awesome. thanks for the link
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lady Renee Buchanan on May 13, 2018, 08:32:13 AM
Also, the Oklahoma faire has events going on year round, including October for a scary Halloween, and a Boar's Head feast around the holidays.  They have a Christmas celebration that you drive through to see inflatables.  In June-July, the castle is open to sell fireworks.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on May 13, 2018, 11:59:54 PM
heck i'm jealous over here.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on May 14, 2018, 05:17:10 AM
Sherwood Forest has a lot of things going on the rest of the year, including summer camps.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: groomporter on May 23, 2018, 09:46:29 PM
MNRF has corporate parties and wedding on site over the summer before their season.

An Iowa show had an interesting idea that I don't know how well it worked. If I recall they were going to cover the costs of maintaining booths in return for being able to rent them out to other vendors for other events (halloween, or cowboy themed?) during the year if the Renfair vendor could not attend the other events.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: CalledBirdy on June 05, 2018, 10:29:17 PM
I've often wished there was a "Disney World" of Ren Faires... something that was open year round. But I guess part of the love for Ren Faire is because it's a treat to have the season come around again after waiting the entire mundane year. But still, if I had a billion dollars...  ;)
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 06, 2018, 01:37:58 AM
yeah I guess part of the magic of renfaire is because we all look forward to it for so long .
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: CalledBirdy on June 06, 2018, 03:07:30 PM
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on May 14, 2018, 05:17:10 AM
Sherwood Forest has a lot of things going on the rest of the year, including summer camps.

I LOVE that they host a summer camp and I dream of attending someday. It seems like a genius idea for getting more use & income out of the property.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: groomporter on June 06, 2018, 08:09:03 PM
I've kinda wondered if hosting an occasional large LARP event might be fun on a Renfair site.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 06, 2018, 10:43:51 PM
Groomporter I think that would be a great idea.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: CalledBirdy on June 07, 2018, 11:19:06 AM
Quote from: groomporter on June 06, 2018, 08:09:03 PM
I've kinda wondered if hosting an occasional large LARP event might be fun on a Renfair site.

That would be super cool if festivals would rent out their sites for LARP groups! I'm sure that the festival would have to carry insurance so a rental fee could go towards that. I also suspect that someone of official capacity would need to be on site to ensure safety and security of the participants as well as the booths so those people would need to be paid as well. It might not be a cheap endeavor but an entire LARP group can be rather large, right? With that many people sharing the rental fee it might be cost effective.

Taking that one step further... it would be especially neat if the festival provided on-staff characters to present a story/problem which the group had to work around/solve. Almost like a murder mystery dinner but on a larger scale involving battles & whatnot.

And now that I think of it... costumed MURDER MYSTERY EVENTS for those of us not in a LARP group. I would sign up for one of those in a heartbeat! That would make use of the site as well as give the local cast something to do in the off season.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 07, 2018, 11:33:13 PM
yeah I love the murder mystery events. If the word got out and some advertising I would be willing to bet a profit could be made . I just wonder how many renfairs have permanent sites and structures !!
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: CalledBirdy on June 08, 2018, 10:14:33 AM
Quote from: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 07, 2018, 11:33:13 PM
I just wonder how many renfairs have permanent sites and structures !!

Right, these ideas would only apply to the large festivals with permanent structures. But there are quite a few of the really big ones around the country, right?

Also, Michigan does a haunted attraction on their site in October after the festival ends. I've heard it's popular.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 08, 2018, 10:37:09 PM
I wish there was something that listed all the renfairs and those with permanent structures. I got spoiled to the Tex renfest and just love it so much. I'm sure there are smaller fairs that are great also. I went to a tiny one not far from my hometown and believe me it was small. They tried hard but it never made it past the first year. I guess a startup renfest is not all that easy to do but am thankful for the ones that have made it and ones to be in the future.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: groomporter on June 10, 2018, 08:38:27 AM
I've thought for a long time that for a new fair to survive it should be built with year-round use in mind. Like a section of the parking lot paved so it's suitable for winter parking. Have a small section of the site with the feast hall and a stage or two capable of being closed off from the rest of the site, so for an off-season folk music, or craft festival could be held without opening the entire site.

I don't know of any big Renaissance Fairs that have permanent covered market areas, but it struck me as a possible way for smaller crafters to get a foot in the door without having to sell out of a tent of "easy-up". I could see something like this divided into 10'x10' spaces that are rented out. It could even be a way to have a changing variety of crafts with themed weekends. Not to mention as an outdoor, but sheltered multi-use event space.
(https://www.historicgames.com/merchideas/gifs/coveredmarketfr.jpg)
The covered market at Beaumont-de-Lomagne (Tarn et Garonne), France. Something like it could be used for
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 11, 2018, 01:14:50 AM
yeah I like the covered market idea too. Surly it would be attractive for a variety of uses even say a farmers market when other venues aren't booked. I believe the tex renfest has a kings orchard where you can pick fresh fruits in season . The tents work but there's  nothing quite like a feast hall and permanent structures to help create the ambiance of a renfest village.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: PollyPoPo on June 11, 2018, 07:07:14 AM
The TexRenFest Kings Orchard was removed to make way for more camping several years ago. 

Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on June 11, 2018, 07:50:39 AM
Scarborough (Waxahachie, TX just south of Dallas) becomes Screams in October. Castleton (Muskogee, OK) goes bats for Halloween, also has other events during the year.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Ginette on June 19, 2018, 09:38:32 AM
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on May 14, 2018, 05:17:10 AM
Sherwood Forest has a lot of things going on the rest of the year, including summer camps.

Sherwood does summer camp in June and a Celtic shindig in September, There are also gathering once a month to help keep the grounds up, shops fixed, fences repaired and so on. I know summer camp is starting at Sherwood I think this next week. There are people that live on site as well, a handful of people that take care of the horses and help with year round training.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 19, 2018, 10:38:57 PM
I've never been to Sherwood but it seems like it is pretty big. Maybe one day I will make it there.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on June 20, 2018, 06:13:30 AM
Sherwood is a great faire. It is not big as in TRF by any means, but it more than makes up for it in other ways.  Sherwood has a unique feel to it, and a lot of heart.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 20, 2018, 11:10:18 PM
sounds like a faire I would like.  It would be a sort of a long drive for me but I'm sure there are plenty of places to stay for the weekend. I haven't seen a lot of pics from Sherwood but the ones I did see looks like a fun faire indeed.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on June 21, 2018, 11:22:53 AM
It's an 8-hour drive for us. TRF about the same. I'll make the trip for Sherwood, but not TRF.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 21, 2018, 10:38:24 PM
Wow Sherwood must be something nice if you'd pick it over TRF. I haven't ventured out really that much beyond TRF so I can't compare. I hope to try and make other renfaires in the not too distant future.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on June 22, 2018, 06:59:01 AM
It has a LOT of heart, which I don't think TRF has.

King Richard at Sherwood Forest is also the principal owner, George Appling, and one helluva nice guy. His own love of faire, in my opinion, is what makes the difference.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on June 22, 2018, 11:24:08 PM
Then I shall put down Sherwood faire as a must see. Those are the kind of faires that make a lasting impression and deserve more of the spotlight then some of these larger faires.
Title: Re: Renfest faire grounds when faire is over ?
Post by: Lone Wolf on October 15, 2018, 02:18:25 PM
Quote from: Lord Argyl of Lochdubh on May 13, 2018, 11:59:54 PM
heck i'm jealous over here.
Are you far from Mannheim, PA? If you haven't been to the PA Ren Faire you're missing out. And yes, their grounds are used for other activities much of the year.