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Market Square => Faire and Family => Topic started by: beeboy on May 20, 2008, 03:43:57 PM

Title: What age did you start faire?
Post by: beeboy on May 20, 2008, 03:43:57 PM
I've been going my entire life literally, well maybe starting at like 4 or 5, but basically.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: sealion on May 20, 2008, 05:10:58 PM
First faire visit at 44. First time in garb at 46. I guess you could say that I'm a late bloomer. ;D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Taffy Saltwater on May 20, 2008, 05:52:38 PM
Last year, 52.  Better late than never!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Master James on May 20, 2008, 06:02:25 PM
Well I started going to faire when I was 24 or so but didn't dress out until 5 years ago when I was 45.  Now I'm on cast!  Go figure.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: beeboy on May 20, 2008, 06:07:03 PM
Well I've been going all my life, but I didn't get a job at faire or get my garb until I was...15
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Annastina on May 20, 2008, 06:30:21 PM
First faire, I was probably 28 or so.  First time in garb, 47.  Oldest daughter went when she was about 8, and is finally getting garb at age 25.  Youngest daughter is 18, has been going for three years and this is her second year in garb.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Ginger on May 20, 2008, 10:26:10 PM
All my life, and I started working there at 15 :)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: DeadBishop on May 20, 2008, 10:55:06 PM
Found my first faire at 19....been 14 years now!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Ottheinrich on May 21, 2008, 05:54:42 AM
I started last year at the ripe old age of 34.

I'm glad to see Im not the only late starter
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Trillium on May 21, 2008, 07:51:08 AM
I was 15 my first time to TRF.  My boy went his first time at 6 months!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: CelticOne on May 21, 2008, 07:59:53 AM
Not sure what age I was but I was a brownie in Girl Scouts at the time. So maybe 5 or 6,1985 or 86 most likely. First time in garb was 2006.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Poco the Pirate on May 21, 2008, 09:48:10 AM
My first year was when I was 7 and that was my first year working too.  I've never gone without garb. I'm 17 now so 10 years of working there (all at different jobs though). 
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Element of Air on May 21, 2008, 10:19:13 AM
I was 14-15 the first time I attended a Fair. It was in California and I fell in love the moment I heard about it. It has been about 5-6 years that I have been attending.  :D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Molden on May 21, 2008, 02:31:20 PM
I was 41 and was introduced in borrowed/cobbled together garb the first year.

Sooo...that was about 4 1/2 years ago.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady Nicolette on May 21, 2008, 02:35:20 PM
15 years of age.  In 1973.  To paraphrase Phil Ochs, I'm half a century old and a quarter of a century high.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Hoowil on May 22, 2008, 12:22:21 AM
Faire? 17
Faire in garb? 17
SCA? 15

Methinks my daughter may have a winner. Faire, in garb at 4 months. Well, in a smock and leggings.
(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c154/squisheez/AmaraBaby/Amara3-31-070112.jpg)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Azen on May 22, 2008, 08:26:51 AM
I started at 19, and wore garb to the first faire I went to.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Drake Starsong on May 22, 2008, 08:32:41 AM
This year would mark my 15th year - my parents took me for the first time when I was 9 ( they always said between 6 and 9 but we found conclusive evidence its 9 hehe) - I didn't accually start dressing up in garb untill 19 though - so this will be my 5th year in garb!

Wow..more than half my summers been spent  at the fest...I suddenly an feeling very nostalgic  ;D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: CatAshtrophy on May 23, 2008, 06:29:26 PM
My first faire was when I was 14. I went to Scarborough and it was a great day. I've been been going 8 years already and it doesn't seem possible.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Cilean on May 23, 2008, 06:34:15 PM


I went to faire when I was 14 and by 15 I had my gear I was at Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire. I was a playtron until 1986/7 when I became a hawker for the Dye Spot and an Interpreter for the Deaf.  My children were I think 1 month and 3 months when they began at faire and have been involved with the SCA since birth. It has been a wonderful ride!


Cilean




Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Rosekrystal on May 23, 2008, 10:41:21 PM
First faire at age 22.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: eloquentXI on May 23, 2008, 11:02:54 PM
17- it's only been about a year for me. But it's enough to say, I can almost promise I will never stop going from this point on.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: DT_Masters on May 28, 2008, 06:10:17 AM
That depends on how one looks at it.

In '82, I was in San Diego on ROTC cruise and came across SCA, so I checked it out when I got back home ........... but didn't really go in for it. I was 21 then.

The llama wool parka was probably bought on a whim in 1984-1985.

In '87, I started belly dancing and in 88, I was part of troupe. We mostly did nursing homes, church festivals. Granted, that's not faire, but it was when I started making, having garb, buying swords, belly dance jewelry, metal wear, patterns, head dresses.

First Ren Fest of decent memory, assuming that I didn't attend "one" when I was part of the troupe, was TX Ren Fest in probably 1991 though it might have been 1990. 20 or 29 then.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: groomporter on May 28, 2008, 08:13:06 AM
Attended MNRF in it's first year back in 1971.

Started doing modern fencing demos at MNRF with a local fencing club one weekend a year around about 1983.

Started doing MNRF as a full-time participant in 1989.

Became a crafter in 1995.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Scotsman on May 28, 2008, 08:17:57 AM
Lady Guinness and I started about 20 years ago - MDRF
Garbing since 2006
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: act2redux on May 29, 2008, 01:59:19 PM
wish I could say different...first faire, first garb a couple of weeks ago at 55!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady Ann of Draycott on May 29, 2008, 02:05:10 PM
The first time I ever went to a faire was when I was 17 or 18.

The first time I went to a faire in garb I was 43.  :-[  Yeah, well...better late than never! At least now I can afford to buy garb!  ;) 
Title: Re: What year did you start faire?
Post by: DonaCatalina on May 29, 2008, 02:20:36 PM
Quote from: act2redux on May 29, 2008, 01:59:19 PM
wish I could say different...first faire, first garb a couple of weeks ago at 55!

better late than never!  ;D

I think my first year was 1982 or maybe even 1983. But we didn't start seriously garbing until 1992ish.

Huzzah for Faire!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lord Figaro on May 30, 2008, 10:06:19 AM
I begged and pleaded my mother to take me (figured she studied history with specialty in the dark ages, thought it would be up her alley) But allas she always replied "no I'm not interested in going, and no one else would go with. So it took me many years later, after I met my wife. Her and I broke up and she moved back home here to MN from where we lived in GA. We stayed in touch and I came to visit a few times. As luck had it, I visited during the MNRF run back in 99 I think it was.  I was hooked the moment I walked through the gates. So much so I bought my first piece of garb that very day and built from there, with a few pieces each time I went. When I went down to GA I went both times it ran back then in spring and fall, and if I had no one to go with, I went solo, I loved it so much. So for me I guess it works to 9 years so far. Only the last 4 have been in what I would call full garb.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Cobaltblu on May 30, 2008, 04:49:28 PM
I was 30 last summer.

Regards,

CB
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Robert Phoenix on May 31, 2008, 03:54:01 PM
I didn't see a ren faire untill I moved to the Twin cities at the age of twenty two.  My grandaughter has me beat.  First ren faire at three weeks old at our home faire. She will cleebrate her first birthday there this year since our faire moved its dates and they landed right on her birthday. 
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady Mikayla of Phoenicia on May 31, 2008, 06:39:05 PM
SCA then Faire - I was 20 then, 20 years ago this fall.  Basically my adult life.   ::)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: NoBill Lurker on June 01, 2008, 08:31:23 PM
First time was in 1993 at the age of 29...
First time in grab 1994...
It's been 15 years now,and I've loved every moment!!!  ;D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Justin on June 03, 2008, 07:23:38 AM
Used to go to Scarby in the 80's as a kid/teen.  I can't believe how its grown.  Got back into it in '05 with the wife and now do the costumes and everything at Scarb/TRF several times a year.  Some day when work has less of a stranglehold on us, we want to travel around the country and see different faires.

We started the little one (9) out last year and she enjoys it.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady Tess on June 03, 2008, 05:00:31 PM
I was 14 or 15 when I went to my first faire (Carolina) and I dressed up for the first time just last year (24).
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: RenRobin on June 03, 2008, 06:24:30 PM
I started attending TRF 26 years ago, at the tender age of 18.  Man does time fly!  I have seen a lot of changes thru the years.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: RedHatQueen on June 04, 2008, 09:33:56 PM
I started about 15 years ago in S. Florida...but then I got married and moved away and it's just 2 years attending AZRF...and full garb this year!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Kathleen MacFerno on June 07, 2008, 07:28:00 PM
well I think my first time I was about 8, I wore garb from the very first day, spoke with and accent by my 2nd or 3rd visit, was on cast in the Arsene of paris show at 16, got baptized by the monk the next year, and blew my first fireball at 17.

oi I'm a nerd........................ oh well it's FUN!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Cobaltblu on June 07, 2008, 07:44:40 PM
Last year when I was 30.

Regards,

CB
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Caria on June 07, 2008, 08:38:18 PM
I went to my first faires NJRF & NYRF which ran back to back when I was 17 and was in piece mailed garb, was hooked in that moment. I'm 33 now so 16 years with a about a 4 year break when my son was young and ill. I was glad to come back and am having a blast!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: MMario on June 12, 2008, 01:50:02 PM
I was 28 when I first attended...but I know kids who started in utero; the youngest I've seen at faire in garb was 4 days old. 

*sigh*  I am literally watching my 2nd generation of faire kids grow up.

Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady Christina de Pond on June 12, 2008, 02:40:19 PM
i didn't get to go until i was 25 but i've been itching to go since i was atleast a teen
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Cilean on June 19, 2008, 03:04:24 AM



I was 16 when we went to the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire.  I was a turkey for another 10 years and then after going to ASL, me and a bunch of friends began to work as Stage Interpretors for the Faires.  We did that for many more years!

Cilean


Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Angus on June 19, 2008, 03:19:06 AM
I believe that I was 28 when I first attended my first fest, that was at the ORF, and in garb the first year... (although very basic garb.)

I've been to the fest once without costume, and I didn't have as much fun.  I've attended the TRF, ORF, KHRF, GRF, and several "smaller" weekend RenFests...
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Rizban on June 19, 2008, 12:16:44 PM
I was 10 or 11 in the mid 90s. I've been enthralled ever since. I couldn't really start attending regularly until I was 16 though and didn't start garbing until I was 18. Strangely enough, I attended TRF almost every single year since then, usually at least two or three weekends, but no one started recognizing me until last year.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Thistle on June 19, 2008, 03:18:12 PM
I think around 6th grade, give or take, when my parents took us all out to one while visiting relatives far away. I remember 'cause that's when I was reading "Lord of the Rings" and was trying to teach myself "elvish" out of the back of the ROTK- and so seeing the Tengwar banners in the elven glade was all sorts of exciting!  I was pretty much hooked on the spot. :)

It's only in the last couple years though that it's started to become a regular thing - great fun!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Count Adolfo on June 21, 2008, 11:05:31 PM
Because of all the surgery during my childhood... my memory of most of my childhood is, well, virtually nonexistent.  I can't remember if my folks ever took me to Faire back then.
I DO know that I walked into King Richard's Faire in Massachusetts in 1991 and, well, the rest is history


My son 'Falcone' (his Faire name) was taken to his first Faire at age 2 months... Northern Florida Renaissance Faire... in kilt, plaid and tam.
No, he wasn't regimental... he was diapered.

Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: peggyelizabeth on July 08, 2008, 09:28:43 PM
well, I *think* I've been going to MNRF for 28 or so years, but since I don't really recall being 2, I can't say for sure. I started going in garb in high school, getting serious about it in college and well, now I'll be there every weekend.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Dallan on July 21, 2008, 01:06:24 PM
Funny thing is I'm not sure I can remember. My wife and I have been married 18 years this fall. We went to faire several times together not in garb. I think I may have even gone prior to meeting her. 4 years ago we went for the first time in garb; now that I remember (I was 41 then). It changed things for us. The entire family now garbs up. Besides our home faire, MDRF, we travel to several others throughout the year.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady Elizabeth on July 21, 2008, 01:25:05 PM
My father took me to my first MiRF when I was 6. Then my parents split and I didn't have the chance to go again until I was 14. A friend bought me garb when I was 15 and I went in garb last year. I bought some new garb for this year and plan on getting all dolled up for opening day at Hollygrove.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: wyckdblyss on July 30, 2008, 03:13:28 PM
I went to TRF for the first time when I was 8yrs old. I began going in garb at some point in my 20's and now at 37, you can't keep away!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: lordwriothsley on July 30, 2008, 04:09:39 PM
I didn't start going to Rennaisance Faires until mid 2003 when i was 19 and i'm now 25.My first year on cast I was a yeoman of the guard in the court of Elizabeth and now I am an Earl.Wow what a jump huh.And for all you so called "old" folks you know who you are in here don't go calling yourselves old all the time cause it's like the old saying goes "Your only as old as you feel"(just a few words of encouragement from the lord Lord W that is  :))
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: ladyecho on August 14, 2008, 12:15:34 AM
I was 18 when I went to my first faire (NCRF)
been every year since
I took my grandniece at 7 months (NCRF)
Then I took her little sister at 3 months (CRF)
they are now 3 and 2 years old and have been every year
All of us wore garb to our first faires
and every year since!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: BLAKDUKE on August 14, 2008, 01:57:20 PM
First year attending 1983 age 41, next year in garb at 42 and I have not attended a faire without garb since then.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Will Gamwell on August 14, 2008, 02:13:48 PM
I was 19 my first year.  25 when I started working there.

I took my son for three years in a row after he was 1.  He has since been to the AZ Renaissance last year (not in garb), and the Wisconsin Faire this year (first time in garb for him).
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Dev on August 21, 2008, 07:21:31 PM
Last year was the first time I went to a faire.  I was 17.  I shall continue going :)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: maelstrom0370 on August 22, 2008, 06:34:19 AM
Went to my first Faire when I was about...23??  Went off and on over the years, but started making it an annual trip, complete with camping and garb, last year.  My son's 2 and a half now and I was planning to start taking him next year.  My mother (his "Doodah") has other ideas, though.  We make a big trip out of it, so she gets him, all to herself, for the entire time we're gone for Faire and she's not looking forward to giving that up anytime soon.  She thinks we should wait until he's 7-10 yrs old.  I'm thinking more along the lines of 4 or 5!  :P
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Dustin on August 22, 2008, 11:42:29 AM
I'm visiting my first faire next month at the age of 27. My wife and kids will be visiting their first as well. My wife is 31, my daughter is 6, and the boy is 3.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: MargaretScroggs on August 29, 2008, 02:35:52 PM
Well, I worked for a faire when 4 or 5 but it was only for a year and I was helping out a vendor that my mom worked for, I didn't work for another faire until I was around 13 or 14, but that's not really saying much since I'm just about to turn 18. lol. But I do plan on continuing faire fo as long as I can.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Gwenwhistle on September 11, 2008, 08:48:37 PM
First faire age 30--KRF in Carver.....as soon as my husband and I walked in with our jeans and sneakers; we ran straight to the booth where they rented garb; since that day, I can't even fathom the idea of going as a mundane.  NOW, at almost 40 :(, I take both of my kids so they will have many more years to enjoy the faire.  (hubbie isn't into it at all anymore, but I NEVER miss it)

Yipee, only 2 more weeks and it's time to go again!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on September 13, 2008, 04:23:17 AM
My first faire I was in my teens, but my daughter was still in a stroller for hers, and she's been every year since. Now, at 7y/o she gets to be a player in our troop at our home faire next season! Well... I guess she'll be 8 by then.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Rin on September 17, 2008, 07:09:23 AM
I was fourteen... When I first started getting all dressed up and 17 when I started working at the faire... I'm not sure when I started just going, though..
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lord Duelist on October 12, 2008, 01:40:30 PM
First went (TRF) when I was middle school age (either 12 or just turned 13), didn't really get into it then. Re-introduced last year, got into it enough that I went again later in the season. Heard about another faire just starting up right after the close of the season (Songwood/King's Realm), which I was very interested in attending, until it wound up just not happening. Of course, that just got me that much more excited about opening day of TRF this year...
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Cap'n Hunnar Graybeard on October 12, 2008, 06:22:36 PM
Soon to be two years at Louisiana Renaissance Festival when I was 46. Another late attendee.
Bought my first garb late the first day before we left and the second day I was no longer in 'dane clothes.
Every Faire we've been too since has been in garb.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Kahlan Rose on October 13, 2008, 07:42:12 PM
Sadly when I was 15. I went as a patron once, decided to act there, skipped a very traumatic summer and came back and was a boothie.

My parents hate my faire obsession but I guess this sounds weird it sort of kicked me out of my 2 year depression.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Libby Stella on October 14, 2008, 08:21:03 PM
When I was 5 or 6 I went to my first Faire, I was taking by my older half sister. I skipped a few years then went with my school in 5th grade, and returned every year since! I have been in garb for only one year though.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Ice Mage on October 16, 2008, 08:43:46 PM
Not early enough!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: DragonWing on October 17, 2008, 06:01:41 PM
 ;) I agree with Ice Mage.

I went for my first time last year, last day of MDRF 2007

I will be there this Sunday Oct. 19th and in GARB!  Huzzah!!!!!!!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Nailin on October 17, 2008, 06:14:33 PM
My first Faire was NCRF 02' after my high school did a Medieval Feast and we had these die hard people in garb eating with wooden forks & mugs - It was these same people that insisted on yelling "WENCH" at me - I asked them why they were yelling wench at me and they explained faire - In 06' I went on cast for NCRF and in 07' became a M'Crack - Thus starting this incredible journey to other fairies and it was that same year I fell in love with Maryland's Revel Grove :) - This year I was able to got to 4 new faires (new for me) Ohio, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, & Kentucky!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Sanquine on October 25, 2008, 01:28:30 PM
i think i was thirteen or fourteen. my parents never took me because they didn't know about our local faire!!  :P my first time i went with my best friend and her mother.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Matty Pine Brownie on December 10, 2008, 09:43:35 PM
My first faire trip was at the ripe age of 24 Years, Nine Months and a Day in an exiled shire in County Somerset, New Jersey.

Been going to at least one faire trip every year since. Now with enough garb to go around for at least a week with only the shoes where I need more to get to seven days without wearing the same article of garb more than once in a week.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: kcdcchef on December 10, 2008, 11:29:04 PM
first time at faire i was 6, at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. At that time a not for profit venture benefiting the Kansas City Art Institute.

First time in garb - 23

Last time in garb - 26

Total seasons going - 26. Cannot wait for 27!!!

Seriously, highly reccomend getting em started young. Those who start later in life and actually like it are rare at best.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lord Clisto of York on December 11, 2008, 12:35:10 AM
I have been doing this for 32 years starting in 1976. Thus I was 21 when I started. Now my son, on the other hand, who is 20, began going with me at the age of 5.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: LadyShadow on December 30, 2008, 03:53:29 PM
I've had a love for the time period since Elemntary.  But didnt actually learn about Faire and didnt go until my Junior year in High School.  For my kids.  Most of them first went 2 yrs ago, and my youngest was finally got her chance to go this year at the age of 2.  She just loves it... Being dressed up as a princess and spoiled.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Barefooted_Rennie_Child on January 09, 2009, 04:53:25 AM
I've been a part of the faire circuit since my early childhood. When I was 3 years old, my mother and I worked at AZRF(which was ARF back in the day), beginning in i believe 1989. We were a part the Celtic Living History Foundation and participated with that group for a number of years. In the early 90's, we also preformed with Bedlam Bells Morris Dancing in AZ. I believe in 1992, we began traveling. My mother had stepped up and became the replacement wench for a woman some of you might know as Lolly, in a group called Wench Work. From AZ we would travel to Bristol and end our year at KRF.

I've been in a plethora of roles ranging from a little peasant girl, The Lord Mayors Granddaughter and a Local Yokel out at AZRF, to a kiddie street rogue and Jouster gopher at Bristol and lastly a peasant girl all years but one at KRF, and that one year I wasn't, was actually the year that I was in the first morning Joust, being rescued by the jouster Lionel, from the terrible, evil dragon, terrorizing KRF that year. I would ride in with him, sitting behind him on the horse, face full of black soot.

We were asked a couple times, to a couple different faires to make guest appearances. These faires included Michigan, Missouri and I believe my mother actually made a trip with her Wench Work partner to Kansas. We also were honored to be chosen to travel to AZRF's sister faire, as the foreign exchange preformers and were flown to England for their "Robin Hood Festival" in Sherwood Forest, England.

Our last year of travelling was 1996 and our last year at AZRF was 1997. Though I loved doing the Ren Faire as a kid, I also wanted to grow up and have a "normal" kid life, which included attending schoolmate sleepovers instead of worrying about being up early and making it to morning meeting.

So yeah....that was a good 8 years of my early life from age 3-11. :) We still attend AZRF every year as patrons and say our hellos to our friends who still work their.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Athena on January 18, 2009, 09:11:29 PM
Another late bloomer here, my first time was in 2000 at the age of 29. I loved it the minute I walked through the gate, but even then I would've never imagined how it would snowball.  :)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady Nicolette on January 18, 2009, 09:17:23 PM
Quote from: Athena on January 18, 2009, 09:11:29 PM
Another late bloomer here, my first time was in 2000 at the age of 29. I loved it the minute I walked through the gate, but even then I would've never imagined how it would snowball.  :)

Snowball?  Avalanche.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Athena on January 18, 2009, 09:20:51 PM
You're absolutely right. I wouldn't have it any other way!  ;D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady Nicolette on January 18, 2009, 09:22:25 PM
Quote from: Athena on January 18, 2009, 09:20:51 PM
You're absolutely right. I wouldn't have it any other way!  ;D

Me neither!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Dinobabe on January 26, 2009, 03:22:35 PM
17 years of Bristol since the age of nine, always in garb!  ;D
I've attended the Virginia RF (the one that closed), KCRF, and TN ren faire a few times; also in garb.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  ;)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: lordwriothsley on January 26, 2009, 04:39:04 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on January 26, 2009, 03:22:35 PM
17 years of Bristol since the age of nine, always in garb!  ;D
I've attended the Virginia RF (the one that closed), KCRF, and TN ren faire a few times; also in garb.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  ;)
Have you thought about coming to VARF again (the new one that is?)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Manwariel on January 26, 2009, 07:01:23 PM
I first went when I was around eight, but I didn't go again until 2007.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Dinobabe on January 27, 2009, 11:01:52 AM
Quote from: lordwriothsley on January 26, 2009, 04:39:04 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on January 26, 2009, 03:22:35 PM
17 years of Bristol since the age of nine, always in garb!  ;D
I've attended the Virginia RF (the one that closed), KCRF, and TN ren faire a few times; also in garb.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  ;)
Have you thought about coming to VARF again (the new one that is?)

I would LOVE to make a round trip of all of the faires! ;D But I am afraid distance and free time are big factors.  My brother-in-law lives in Lexington, KY so if we visit I'll make sure it is during faire.  I'm planning a trip to TNRF this year with my Sunday School class.  That ought to be a hoot!  I am also making a point to take a trip back up to Bristol.  If I visit family in Kansas City during the KCRF I'll definetly go!  I wish we had a faire in the Memphis, TN area!  I was reading about the new faire in Texas and so wished it could be here.  :'(
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Auryn on January 27, 2009, 01:47:47 PM
I first attended faire at the age of 18 back in 2000.
I went with some college friends and it drove me crazy because they wanted to leave after a couple of hours and I didn't even get to see the joust.

I didn't visit again until February of 2008, however I had been planning on it for about a year so I was in garb- all hand made (except for the boots). That time I went by myself and had a blast.

This year I will be going, in garb of course, and bringing my boyfriend along. He has never been to faire but has already caught the ren bug as we have been talking about it since last year.
He will be attending his first faire in garb that is wonderful girlfriend has been slaving away on for the last 6 months  ;D.

Actually- we are going to faire next weekend and my new garb is still not finished :-[
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: lordwriothsley on January 27, 2009, 02:36:53 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on January 27, 2009, 11:01:52 AM
Quote from: lordwriothsley on January 26, 2009, 04:39:04 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on January 26, 2009, 03:22:35 PM
17 years of Bristol since the age of nine, always in garb!  ;D
I've attended the Virginia RF (the one that closed), KCRF, and TN ren faire a few times; also in garb.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  ;)
Have you thought about coming to VARF again (the new one that is?)

I would LOVE to make a round trip of all of the faires! ;D But I am afraid distance and free time are big factors.  My brother-in-law lives in Lexington, KY so if we visit I'll make sure it is during faire.  I'm planning a trip to TNRF this year with my Sunday School class.  That ought to be a hoot!  I am also making a point to take a trip back up to Bristol.  If I visit family in Kansas City during the KCRF I'll definetly go!  I wish we had a faire in the Memphis, TN area!  I was reading about the new faire in Texas and so wished it could be here.  :'(
Well if you are ever in the Virginia area any time in the near future please do stop by the faire and say hello. It would be nice to meet a fellow RFer.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Dinobabe on January 27, 2009, 10:07:46 PM
Quote from: lordwriothsley on January 27, 2009, 02:36:53 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on January 27, 2009, 11:01:52 AM
Quote from: lordwriothsley on January 26, 2009, 04:39:04 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on January 26, 2009, 03:22:35 PM
17 years of Bristol since the age of nine, always in garb!  ;D
I've attended the Virginia RF (the one that closed), KCRF, and TN ren faire a few times; also in garb.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  ;)
Have you thought about coming to VARF again (the new one that is?)

I would LOVE to make a round trip of all of the faires! ;D But I am afraid distance and free time are big factors.  My brother-in-law lives in Lexington, KY so if we visit I'll make sure it is during faire.  I'm planning a trip to TNRF this year with my Sunday School class.  That ought to be a hoot!  I am also making a point to take a trip back up to Bristol.  If I visit family in Kansas City during the KCRF I'll definetly go!  I wish we had a faire in the Memphis, TN area!  I was reading about the new faire in Texas and so wished it could be here.  :'(
Well if you are ever in the Virginia area any time in the near future please do stop by the faire and say hello. It would be nice to meet a fellow RFer.

Thanks!  ;)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: renniemommy on January 28, 2009, 02:43:59 AM
Pittsburgh 1995...I was 15, went once to visit and had garb and a job by the next weekend.
been on the road since 2001, through 2 pregnancies, uncountable vans, tents, motorhomes and natural disasters. Both my kids were at shows before they could hold their heads up.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: lordwriothsley on January 28, 2009, 02:31:52 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on January 27, 2009, 10:07:46 PM
Quote from: lordwriothsley on January 27, 2009, 02:36:53 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on January 27, 2009, 11:01:52 AM
Quote from: lordwriothsley on January 26, 2009, 04:39:04 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on January 26, 2009, 03:22:35 PM
17 years of Bristol since the age of nine, always in garb!  ;D
I've attended the Virginia RF (the one that closed), KCRF, and TN ren faire a few times; also in garb.  I wouldn't have it any other way!  ;)
Have you thought about coming to VARF again (the new one that is?)

I would LOVE to make a round trip of all of the faires! ;D But I am afraid distance and free time are big factors.  My brother-in-law lives in Lexington, KY so if we visit I'll make sure it is during faire.  I'm planning a trip to TNRF this year with my Sunday School class.  That ought to be a hoot!  I am also making a point to take a trip back up to Bristol.  If I visit family in Kansas City during the KCRF I'll definetly go!  I wish we had a faire in the Memphis, TN area!  I was reading about the new faire in Texas and so wished it could be here.  :'(
Well if you are ever in the Virginia area any time in the near future please do stop by the faire and say hello. It would be nice to meet a fellow RFer.

Thanks!  ;)
No problem. Any time.  :)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: CelticOne on February 04, 2009, 12:44:54 PM
Quote from: kcdcchef on December 10, 2008, 11:29:04 PM
first time at faire i was 6, at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. At that time a not for profit venture benefiting the Kansas City Art Institute.

First time in garb - 23

Last time in garb - 26

Total seasons going - 26. Cannot wait for 27!!!

Seriously, highly reccomend getting em started young. Those who start later in life and actually like it are rare at best.

Huh, I have a pic of the front gate with the banner reading it was a benifit for the arts institute. That's cool that you remember it as well.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: kcdcchef on February 08, 2009, 01:45:03 PM
Quote from: Phoenix on February 04, 2009, 12:44:54 PM


Huh, I have a pic of the front gate with the banner reading it was a benifit for the arts institute. That's cool that you remember it as well.

email me that, i would LOVE TO SEE THAT!!!!!!!!!!! i love old kc renfaire pictures from the 1980's, since they are rare!!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: clark on February 22, 2009, 12:53:04 AM
Hmm, I think I was about...six? But I remember we stopped going until  I was nine. I was ten when I got my first garb and since then there have only been two times I didn't go in garb, but I left in it!  :P
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Jack Daw at Work on February 22, 2009, 08:10:38 AM
The first time I went to Texas Renaisance Festival (TRF) was in 1986 when I was 28.  I had just transferred back to Houston from Dallas and had helped open an office.  My new boss hired a new colleague that he knew in New York.  Anita was working with me for about 2 months when she asked if I would take her to the TRF.  We didn't go garbed - it was just something to do.  It was VERY chili that Saturday.  In those days TRF was still growing and The Globe Theatre had Merlin the Magician as the main attraction.  We sat in front and Merlin had Anita and another young woman come up on stage for one of his tricks.  I took photos, then he took a photo of us.

Over the next few years, I would go with friends off and on, but never went garbed.  In 1999, I was working on my genealogy and discovered that my great grandfather's great grandfather was a Jacobite soldier at Culloden and had been trasnported to America in 1747.  A bell went off!  I gathered some kit, including a tartan cloth for a great kilt.  Then, I had a piper buddy and his wife come and visit from Austin and we all went as Jacobites, albeit anachronistic.  I have gone most years since, improving on the historical accuracy of my garb, with friends and girlfriends and find it the best way to escape from modern headaches.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: nobodyspecial on March 02, 2009, 11:07:14 AM
my first faire visit was when i was 15 first time wearing garb was 18 been wearing garb for 2 years now ... plus i work it so thats a plus ...
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: ElizaJane on March 03, 2009, 04:22:49 PM
I have been going to faires off and on since I was 18.  When I live in Sacramento, I started do it more when my daughter was born, but then we moved to Redding.  The last two years I have dressed up because I am in an acting guild.  The last year I have been the fool.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Tammy on March 22, 2009, 08:04:23 PM
First time I went was last year, at 28. I wasn't in 'danes', but I wasn't really garbed either. I went in a faery outfit I'd made for Halloween the first time, and the second time I went I was in the red medieval gown from my avatar.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Pinn on March 23, 2009, 02:08:43 PM
I don't remember how old I was the very first time I went. I was still in school and I went to KCRF and it was a soft site way back then
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: kcdcchef on March 24, 2009, 04:39:20 PM
Quote from: PinnMcrack on March 23, 2009, 02:08:43 PM
I don't remember how old I was the very first time I went. I was still in school and I went to KCRF and it was a soft site way back then

soft site??

i have found from my experience that it seems those who are brought at young ages tend to move on from it. yet, those who you convert that are almost 30 get addicted quickly. thoughts?
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Dinobabe on March 25, 2009, 03:42:51 PM
I have been a rennie since age 9.  A few breaks for important stuff like college but am becoming more involved again.  It has never left my heart!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: lordwriothsley on March 25, 2009, 03:53:40 PM
Quote from: Dinobabe on March 25, 2009, 03:42:51 PM
I have been a rennie since age 9.  A few breaks for important stuff like college but am becoming more involved again.  It has never left my heart!
You know it's like the old saying goes "Once a rennie always a rennie" which I couldn't find to be more true than it is now.  :)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: THELADYKAT on April 02, 2009, 01:55:23 AM
I have been going almost all my life and I have worked almost as long as that to.


This year I will be bring my first Born out to TRF I can't wait to start that little ones Fair Life.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: kcdcchef on April 03, 2009, 01:53:13 PM
i have been a rennie my whole life, my wife on the other hand, i just got her in about 04, and she goes every year now. AND, loves it, helps me plan trips to celtic fling in summer, and other smaller faires to go to.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Count Adolfo on April 06, 2009, 10:09:11 PM
Falcone, my son, who many of you know... attended his first Faire, in garb, at the age of two months.
I shall have to find the pictures, but he had a kilt, plaid and tam on over a onesie and a diaper.

Born a rennie.

I wish that were the case with me.  I went for the first time in (I am fairly certain) 1992.  I was 23.
It's a long time ago now but I seem to remember going the final weekend of 1992 in mundanes... to King Richard's Faire in MA.  I could be wrong.  I know that by 1993 season I was dressing... but I didn't really get 'involved' too much until I joined the IBRSC in 1996 or 1997.
Once again, sorry about the vagueness... it all seems so long ago and I didn't take the time to record things back then because I didn't think there'd ever be a quiz.
;D


I moved to FL in 1998 and made one final trip North to do KRF one last time... and from there it was Florida Faires.
In 2000, I took my then-fiancee to North Florida RenFaire (now defunct) and we had a great time.  Falcone's first Faire was that one... in early 2001.

I went to BARF for the first time back in Largo in 2001 or 2002.  I am fairly certain it was 2001.
When my wife and I split up in 2002, I had to take a bit of a "hiatus" from Faire to raise him... at least to a point where he could help me do what I do... and this took a few years. 


So, in short, I agree with the statement that "once a rennie..."
I may have had to take some time off... but there was never a question that I'd return.
I'm far more 'involved' now than ever before and truth is... Faire just seems to be getting better and better.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: jinx on April 15, 2009, 08:52:58 PM
I was 17, and in 'danes.  I returned about a month later to celebrate my 18th birthday, and got "garbed" up in the -most- ridiculous thing, standing on top of a hill in the middle of the grounds, surrounded by cloaks.  I've celebrated every birthday since at Faire, so that makes it...7 years.  I've only been -exclusively- in garb for about 3 years.  Before that, I went through a load of cheap and none-too-attractive costumes.  xD

It's funny, too, that the people I originally started attending with have all but disappeared from Faire now!  Back then, I thought they were -way- more into it than me, and they'd keep going long after I'd stopped.  Boy, I was soooo wrong!  xD
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: ladystardust90 on April 20, 2009, 01:03:34 AM
I went to my first faire almost 7 years ago when I was 12. I was in Houston for a dance competition and on our day off we decided to make a side trip to the TRF. We didn't dress up but we ended up dancing for Tartanic while they were playing with some of the others from our dance school. After we moved to New Hampshire 5 years ago we went about 2 years without going to any faires. We decided to try to find a good one around New Hampshire so we went to the Sterling Faire and King Richard's Faire and we loved KRF. We've gone every year since but last year was the first year my sister and I dressed up. We ended up wearing really bad Halloween costumes. We're saving up for better ones for this year though. I'm hoping to audition there in a few years.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: SterlingFan on April 22, 2009, 11:46:14 AM
I first went to Faire at the Sterling Renaissance Festival back in 1979 when I was 11 years old with my Mom & older Sis.  At the end of our 1st day my Mom got us all season passes !  I wore different garb here & there for a few years.  We moved away from the Sterling area but I still tried to attend at least once a season but not in garb very much :'(.

This upcoming season I'll be able to attend more days & I'll be in garb - every time  ;D !!!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Element of Air on April 27, 2009, 01:38:03 PM
I attended the Southern California Pleasure Fair in ... 2003? I was about 14 or 15 and my current boyfriend introduced me to the fair. I went in home made garb and then purchased my first bodice. Here is a picture of me in it about a year or so later!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=6814122&l=44dcccc2fd&id=539325150

Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: tcindie on April 27, 2009, 03:56:03 PM
In 1993, when I was 15, I went and worked the old (no longer there) dunk tank booth at MNRF for a day with a church youth group, and again the following year.  After that I made it out once a year most years, but it wasn't until last year that I actually got involved.  Now I volunteer at the fencing booth with some of the best people I know.  ;D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady Rebecca on May 22, 2009, 07:24:06 PM
This is my first year experiencing faire, and I'm already hooked. My first one was in April - the Norman Medieval Faire, and I've since been to Scarborough and the Oklahoma Ren Faire in Muskogee. I'm going to the St. Louis Ren Faire on Monday, since it happens to be when I'm driving up to New York anyway. Depending on my days off at work this summer, I hope to go to faires in upstate NY. Unfortunately, I think Wednesdays may be my day off... And the closest thing to me would be the Sterling Faire, and thats 2.5 hrs away and expensive!

I'm trying to convince my mom to come with me to the Coalinga fair and the Vallejo pirate festival while I'm home for a couple weeks, too.

Since creating costumes is what got me into this in the first place, I have garbed for every faire! And I can't imagine going without.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Dustis on June 09, 2009, 05:28:45 PM
2004 at 14 years of age, only just a few years ago but it took me a year to make myself some garb. Since then I've worked a year and am now bettering my garb gradually. Needless to say I have yet to find my character though, it changes with my clothes.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Charity 'The Pirhanna' O'Reilly on June 16, 2009, 01:43:08 PM
I started going to fairs at the age of 36. My first fair was LARF. I didnt know what to expect. I actually dressed up but my husband didnt. By the end of the weekend both of us was in full costume. We have been going ever since. We try to go to at least 4 fairs a year. We take our 2 kids with us to a couple of the fairs.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: RSLeask on June 16, 2009, 01:47:00 PM
16... maybe 15 when I started going back in the mid 90s.  But actually getting into it... character, garbing, and everything... that was only a few years ago, at 27.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: madelinewebb on June 16, 2009, 05:25:59 PM
I first when when I was 18&19 then didn't go again until this year in April at a small local Ren Faire then up at Valhalla in June. I've been bitten by the Faire bug again!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Aaroncois on June 16, 2009, 06:26:27 PM
I first went to Sterling when I was around 20. I've gone nearly every year since 1991, and in garb since around 96. I rarely go more than once a year, though, especially since having kids. I've never been to any other faire but this one.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Ambios on June 16, 2009, 07:19:02 PM
Depends on the "level"...
First Faire.....Sarasota Medieval Faire @ 1973-74 (age 21-22) / Largo Renaissance (now BARF) @1976-1977
First garbed...Bay Area Renaissance Festival @ 1995 (43)
First cast...Bay Area Renaissance Festival 2004 (and counting) (52)
First out of state...MIRF 2004 
;D ::) ;D
Our kids were both cast members at respective faires before we were  ;D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Jezzy MacPeaks on July 31, 2009, 05:46:09 AM
I wish I'd gone to faire my whole life, but maybe I wouldn't have loved and appreciated it nearly as much as I do now if that had been the case. I'm marking my fourth anniversary faire season here at Great Lakes at age.. *clears throat*...guys cover your eyes... 54!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: dbaldock on July 31, 2009, 07:11:02 AM
My first visit was to Scarborough Faire at the age of 34 in 1995, with ORAC, a Sci-Fi Fan Club in Dallas, TX.

From 1996 - 2001, I bought and used Scarby Season Passes, and I also visited the Minnesota Ren Fest in the Fall of 1996.

Also during the years, I visited Hawkwood and Excalibur.

After moving to Houston in 2003, I've visited TRF a few times.


Take Care,
David Baldock
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: lordwriothsley on July 31, 2009, 04:06:44 PM
Quote from: Jezzy MacPeaks on July 31, 2009, 05:46:09 AM
I wish I'd gone to faire my whole life, but maybe I wouldn't have loved and appreciated it nearly as much as I do now if that had been the case. I'm marking my fourth anniversary faire season here at Great Lakes at age.. *clears throat*...guys cover your eyes... 54!
Jezzy you almost had me fooled there darlin cause all this time I never guessed you any older than maybe 39 or 40 lass.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Celtic_Fae on August 02, 2009, 01:39:11 PM
First faire: 6 months, King Richard's
First Garbed Faire: 15 years old, Bay Area Renaissance festival
First Participation: 16 years old, Bay Area Renaissance festival
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady Kathleen of Olmsted on August 10, 2009, 12:08:25 AM


First Faire: 25 September 1971. I was 19 on a First date with my future husband at the Northern California Pleasure Faire. Had a wonderful time.

First garbed Participation: 1998 in lower class garb. We have been dressing as Nobles since 2002 when I made our first set of Noble garb. Have and will not look back.

You might say, we have been "rennied"!!!

Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Hey- Arent You? on August 14, 2009, 03:51:24 PM
attended occasionally with my ex-wife and family starting in the mid 80's......
mid 90's a buddy of mine talked me into going in garb..... and it all just hit me then.......
cuz it's better in garb.

in '01, I became a performer, and the garb became a costume, and a hobby became a way of life.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: bellevivre on August 17, 2009, 10:20:02 AM
My parents started doing TRF when i was probably 5... back in those days, they felt it a LITTLE too bawdy for us kids.. so my first time was at 17, which was actually my future Husband's first time too (he was 28). Turns out we both went to the last ever Flaming Idiots show at TRF!

Our (future) kids, will probably go with us once or twice as small children, then we will bring them after age 12 or so, depending on how well they can manage 'on thier own'...
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Jack Daw at Work on August 21, 2009, 01:59:45 AM
Highland Fling weekend is great, but Halloween weekend is a wild party!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Rellspire on August 21, 2009, 12:40:13 PM
I attended my first faire at 15
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Jinglebum on September 02, 2009, 03:02:18 PM
I've been going since I was 13. First time camping was at 18. First time in garb was at 17. Now I feel naked (in the bad way... :P) if I step inside the festival without garb on.

My children (when I have them some day in the future...) will be going from the time they are wee little ones. I've already made the decision that no matter where I'm living, I'll be attending TRF at least a few weekends every year!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: kcdcchef on September 02, 2009, 05:56:27 PM
Quote from: dobbydog on September 02, 2009, 03:02:18 PM
I've been going since I was 13. First time camping was at 18. First time in garb was at 17. Now I feel naked (in the bad way... :P) if I step inside the festival without garb on.

My children (when I have them some day in the future...) will be going from the time they are wee little ones. I've already made the decision that no matter where I'm living, I'll be attending TRF at least a few weekends every year!

you'll be happy you did. i go back to kcrf annually even living 1,000 miles away. and i am so happy i do it, even going to other faires.

if i have kids, i will expose them to renfest life and let them decide what they wanna do. but i am sure they'll love it!!
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Jinglebum on September 03, 2009, 02:26:10 PM
Quoteif i have kids, i will expose them to renfest life and let them decide what they wanna do. but i am sure they'll love it!!

Haha I don't think any kids of mine would dislike it. :P At least not if they take after myself or whomever their father is (can't see myself with someone who is not as strange as me. :P haha).

Even if they don't end up liking it... at least they'll have many interesting stories to tell of their crazy rennie mother when they're older. Haha
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: RSLeask on November 05, 2009, 07:52:57 PM
Was taken to my first at, like, 14 or 15 by my aunt.  Was her, my sister, and me.  We were all danes then, but had an absolute blast of a time.  Been lucky in my service to have been stationed near faire, so I've been going every year, albeit until last year, it was maybe once or twice a season.  First outfit 3 years ago.  Another last year, and now, I'm pretty much hooked into the life.  If ever blessed with children, you better believe they will be renrats!   :D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: ArielCallista on November 06, 2009, 02:05:12 PM
Mt first faire was when I was 15 or 16 (my birthday is mid faire season) and the next year I showed up in garb and have every year since! so its only been about 5 years
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Rapier Half-Wit on November 06, 2009, 06:06:14 PM
I started with the SCA at 15 in '78, which immediatly lead to TRF that same fall, because the local SCA 'kingdom' of Stargate used to be very involved with TRF at the time. So my first faire was in garb at TRF in '78 and I was 15.

(Side note: If anyone has any pics of TRF from the very early days, I think it would make a spectacular thread idea.)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Jack Daw at Work on November 10, 2009, 01:02:57 PM
Quote from: Rapier Half-Wit on November 06, 2009, 06:06:14 PM
I started with the SCA at 15 in '78, which immediatly lead to TRF that same fall, because the local SCA 'kingdom' of Stargate used to be very involved with TRF at the time. So my first faire was in garb at TRF in '78 and I was 15.

(Side note: If anyone has any pics of TRF from the very early days, I think it would make a spectacular thread idea.)

I do, from the mid-1980s, but I wasn't garbed in those days.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: ladylissame on November 20, 2009, 06:15:51 PM
My first faire visit was Sept 4, 2000 at the Ohio Renaissance Festival (also where I got my first kiss). I haven't missed a season since.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Ken on March 10, 2010, 10:16:14 AM
My first faire was the Texas Renaissance Festival, which I traveled to from Louisiana to visit.  It was in 1983 and I was 14.  I loved it so much that I figured out a way to go again a few weeks later.  The next year I was in garb and it's been downhill ever since.   :D

~Ken
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: THELADYKAT on March 27, 2010, 02:55:27 AM
Dorian started fair scarby 09 in my belly then TRF at 2 months and 4 days and now Scarby again he will be 8 months and 4 days old opening weekend
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Star Chamber on May 19, 2010, 03:33:57 PM
2007. Scarborough Fair. Age 21.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: LadyFae on May 20, 2010, 06:20:32 PM
I started attending faire when I was 27.  My daughters started attending faire when they were 'just turned' 1, almost 1, and 10 days old.  Start 'em young, I say!  =D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: angusmacinnes on May 20, 2010, 06:33:04 PM
53  yes I was late to the party.  ;D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: lordwriothsley on May 23, 2010, 09:16:40 AM
Quote from: angusmacinnes on May 20, 2010, 06:33:04 PM
53  yes I was late to the party.  ;D
Hey better late than never you know.  ;D  ;)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on May 23, 2010, 11:55:53 AM
I don't recall the precise year (`86-`88?), but I would have been in my mid-40s, and it was TRF...a rather daunting introduction considering the size of the faire. It was while on a trip to Houston to visit family.  Made Scarby in `89, then a couple here or there in the 90s I think. Began going to Scarborough annually in 2000, and actually became a real Rennie in `03, when we wore costumes for the first time.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lairde Guardn on May 23, 2010, 02:09:30 PM
Contrary to popular believe, I did not have to wait for them to create the faires so I could relive my youth....

I think I went to my first "faire" type of event when I was 17 and I have been hooked ever since....

Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: auntiegiggles on May 23, 2010, 03:20:16 PM
I went to my first faire when I was in college.  I think I was 19 or 20 and my boyfriend (now hubby) brought me to MNRF.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: PollyPoPo on May 26, 2010, 08:51:29 AM
Back in the early 80s I went, ungarbed, with a friend to a large faire within an hour of Chicago –don't remember where or name faire.  We were in our mid-30s at the time.

In mid-90s, as a tag-along with younger family members, I visited a small faire about an hour from San Antonio TX, again ungarbed.   The next few years my daughter began to go regularly.

My first real Faire experience was TRF, 1997, age 51, garbed, at my daughter's wedding, with wedding party and most family/friends garbed (even a couple stick-in-the-mud types).  WHOOP! BANG! ZING!  HOOKED!  Been attending with family since, but not as often as I'd like.  Retired now – hoping to visit Sherwood a lot more next year since I don't have pesky work to interfere with fun.

Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Elistariel on May 28, 2010, 02:49:10 AM
19, in 2002 to the Carolina Renaissance Festival.
I'd always wanted to go to a convention-type place, but living in a bit of a hick town that wasn't possible and there was NO way on earth my family would have driven me or allowed me to drive that far for a one day event.

I wore what I considered garb-ish clothing. Clothing that clearly isn't garb, but is passable. Think of it as pieces you can wear to a faire and look like you're in character, but you can still wear out in public if you switch things up a bit.
I remember I also forgot my camera in the car.  ::)

Since then I've been alternating between costumes. I have a Halloween crushed velvet robe that I wear when the weather isn't that cool or I'm just feeling lazy. One year I did a totally historically inaccurate gypsy look. I also have a more accurate dress for when I feel like gussying up. My Gran made it from a pattern when I was in 10th grade and doing a project on Anne Boleyn. I wanted it to be plain navy blue (or black), but my gran wouldn't listen to me. The lady on the cover of the pattern had a colorful pattern on her dress so mine WILL too. So instead of a plain dark dress I have this BRIGHT red, gold, blue and green number with shiny blue headpiece that I frequently wear.

I can't remember when I started going in garb since the first year I left the camera in the car, and the next year I didn't feel like carrying the flash and so all my pics came out horrendous. Also we've skipped some years.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Dracconia on June 15, 2010, 06:16:28 PM
I started my freshman year of high school lol....I turned legal in every way at faire lol
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Mademoiselle D on June 15, 2010, 09:25:18 PM
Started my freshman year of high school as well!  After years of begging the 'rents to go to fair.  Have been addicted ever since.   :D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Scribe_Wear on August 03, 2010, 08:24:40 AM
started in '04 when i was 18 to sterling
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Mischief Snicklebritches on May 08, 2011, 11:53:54 PM
At the tender age of 5! in 1989. My aunt was the Queen out at CRF and drug me along with her (not every weekend of course) but did that until I was 12, then she went away to New Zeland for college internships, so from 12-18 I was a patron, then the summer after I turned 18 I was back at it again. I am 26 now and last year was my kids first year doing faire with me full time. They are 5 and 6 and are in LOVE with it as much as I have been :D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: LadyWhitney on May 08, 2011, 11:58:46 PM
im 24 and this years first annual faire for my city is going to my first one .. not mention im running the faire with my commitee and... im the Queen .. thats a scary thought ...but have to start somewhere
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Rowan MacD on May 11, 2011, 09:58:17 AM
  1985.  in garb 1999. 
  Seriously in garb 2004, at the now defunct Renaissance Faire of the Midlands.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: maeven on May 13, 2011, 01:37:22 PM
My husband has been attending TRF since he was about 6 or 7 and I started back in 2004.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: balletboot on May 13, 2011, 02:02:08 PM
My mother took me to the Colorado Renaissance Festival with the rest of our family the summer of '94 -- shortly before my first birthday.

I've been every year since. Started out as a family tradition, then all my cousins started working there, so they made me come visit them. By the time I was in highschool, I was addicted.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Lady De Rue Rue on May 13, 2011, 07:43:47 PM
Ahh, the memories!  I started at age six with my family and some friends of the family in 1977 as a peasant in garb my mother made.  We continued until 1980 and stopped because I refused to go unless I was dressed in noble garb.

Then I returned to Bristol last year in full noble garb at age 39 with my husband and daughter who was 2 years old in semi-noble garb.  Our daughter like mother refused one weekend to attend the Faire, because I was going to "glue on additional pearls" instead of "hand sewn pearls" on her garb.  As the Queen Mother I put my foot down and told her "it either the glue gun pearls" or "go with the pearls that you have"  She chose the later of the two, and that gave my lord plenty of side comments of "you should have never read your costume history books to get her to sleep".  Lesson learned! ;D
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: dreamwalker on October 29, 2011, 02:04:18 AM
Let's see 1st Ren Faire (little one) I was 19. But the fever did start grabbing me until I was 23. Went to Scarbourgh, I've been a happily Renner since then. Started garbing...ekk mid 20s I believe. now I'm hard core and thinking about camping and getting work at one.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Evie McCann on October 30, 2011, 10:43:51 PM
I started at 26. Late bloomer. Unfortunately, I'm also geographically challenged. My closest faire is Scarby, 5 hours away. :'(
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Bob of the Lake on October 31, 2011, 09:21:02 AM
I was an even later bloomer and was in my early 40s when I first discovered faire--thanks to my son. He didn't have a driver's license then so I drove him to NYRF. I was instantly hooked! Both my kids are grown and out of the house now but we always make it a point to go to faire together at least once a season.  :)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: ladylissame on November 01, 2011, 05:56:41 PM
I started my son when he was 1 month and 3 days old :) He's 3 months old today
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: lordwriothsley on November 04, 2011, 08:08:33 AM
Well Happy Birthday to your son then ladylissame.  :)
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Aderin on June 05, 2013, 04:17:41 PM
20! I missed all of the field trips my highschool enjoyed for some reason! They went to faire every year!
Title: What age did you start faire?
Post by: LadyAsh on June 06, 2013, 12:53:38 AM
I went to my first faire, I believe back in the summer of 2006. I was 15 at the time, going on 16 in November. It was the Southern Connecticut Renaissance Faire, and I fell in love right when I walked into the gates with my family (it was my mom, dad, and brother.) there, I got my first set of garb, and I also remember being picked for a show! Ever since then, I have been trying to make an effort to attend faire every year.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: DarklyCute on March 26, 2014, 02:53:06 PM
I started going when I was 15, which was in 2004. I have wore cobbled together garb multiple times, but this year my 10th year of going will be my first time in proper garb.

My fiances first time going to the faire was last year and this year will be his first time in garb.
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Traveler on March 29, 2014, 10:29:48 AM
Only been to one faire so far, TRF, back in '07 (at least I think it was '07).  I was 16 at the time.  Now just starting to get into faires again, as much as college life and finances will allow.  Sad to say, no garb yet.  :(
Title: Re: What age did you start faire?
Post by: Cilean on August 14, 2014, 05:21:41 PM


I was 9 when I first went to faire and 24 when I began working faire!  I did not make my own clothing/garb until I was in my 30's.

Cilean