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South => Oklahoma Renaissance Festival - Muskogee => Topic started by: FoxFire on April 14, 2013, 04:00:31 PM

Title: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: FoxFire on April 14, 2013, 04:00:31 PM
We are! Well, at least tentatively. We're hoping to make it out for opening weekend. We make it out for at least one day per season, but it will depend on work schedules. Time off has been requested, but the powers that be haven't deigned to give us their response about the 4th as yet. Anyhow, I hope to see some of you there!
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on April 15, 2013, 08:07:21 AM
Unless plans collapse, we are hoping to be there opening weekend.
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: FoxFire on April 16, 2013, 06:14:50 PM
I hope to see you there, Merlin! I was happy to get to meet you and your fair lady Nimue at Scarby. Kathleen has requested that weekend off. We shall have to see if the gods of Starbucks smile upon us. Schedules are supposed to be made two weeks in advance, but in reality it's more like a week and a half, so we won't know for sure until right before.
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Craigmeister on May 03, 2013, 12:11:38 PM
I wonder what's new at the Castle this year?  I love to see the Escapologist, Ezndil & Stickbow Archery but I'd like to see what new things there are to entertain the masses.  Could there be working trebuchets like in days of olde?  A good hammered dulcimer band?
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on May 06, 2013, 06:23:13 AM
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on April 15, 2013, 08:07:21 AM
Unless plans collapse, we are hoping to be there opening weekend.
Plans collapsed... but I sent good weather, I think!  We ended up moving this past weekend. It would have been a really good weekend to come. We are rescheduling now for Memorial Day weekend, and unsure if it will be possible to make any additional trips up...
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: spikey on May 24, 2013, 01:54:44 AM
Lilly Bontemp and I are making the trip to the Castle!  This will be our first visit to the Castle, and are looking forward to the adventure!
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: spikey on July 14, 2013, 10:31:43 PM
We visited The castle of Muskogee for the first time on Memorial Day Weekend.  WE ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!  While we live in Rockport, Texas (south Texas), we will make the trip every year!  My Wife's photos can be seen on Flickr under the name "the McGee"
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Butch on April 08, 2014, 07:30:24 AM
Well well; my wife went to the Castle Christmas las December, and now wants to go to the Castle RenFest!  The funny thing is, she rarely goes to ANY RenFest!  So, we'll probably be down for the final Saturday this year, 31 May.  Our first time!  Huzzah!
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: RefMom3 on April 09, 2014, 10:14:34 AM
My daughter and I went to the Halloween fest  for their last weekend, and I enjoyed it very much. She did, too, but 700 miles is a way to go for a single evening...
The Christmas celebration looks amazing; I would love to do that some year.
In the meantime, I'll be bringing my cousin to the Castle for her first Ren Faire (and we'll be going to our home faire of Bristol this summer) for opening weekend. I'm so blissfully excited, it's silly ;)
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on April 09, 2014, 03:59:50 PM
My personal self should be out of the body shop and reasonably well-repaired by then.
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: RefMom3 on April 16, 2014, 12:10:13 PM
I'm counting on you, Sir  ;)
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on April 17, 2014, 02:06:25 AM
Still shooting for the opening weekend, Merlin? 
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on April 17, 2014, 07:39:24 AM
That is when I have hotel reservations, so it would be better weekend to come that another on which I have no reservations....huh?
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: LibraryPrincess on April 17, 2014, 05:26:02 PM
I plan on being there Memorial Day weekend with Circa Paleo!

It's my first time in Oklahoma and at this particular faire. I'm a Houston native, so is there anything in particular I should be prepared for or know about?
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on April 18, 2014, 06:46:48 AM
Yeah...it won't be much cooler than it is in Houston...  :o
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on April 22, 2014, 11:34:46 AM
Yes... you should definitely come prepared for the heat!  It's not as open as at TRF, either, so there might not be as much of a breeze, which can make the heat even more intense. 
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: LibraryPrincess on April 24, 2014, 05:21:10 PM
Noted! Thanks, all! ^_^
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: RefMom3 on April 28, 2014, 09:08:50 AM
Getting closer~
I'll be bringing my cousin along to the Castle, and this will be her first faire (once it opens, I'll take her to Bristol, too, which is our home faire). We spent Friday putting together an outfit for her, and I realized she had no idea there would be shopping there. The expression on her face was priceless. She's going to think she's died and gone to heaven.

I am very concerned about the weather, though... I'm sure there are people who still haven't recovered from last year's storms.
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on April 29, 2014, 06:25:34 AM
I have ordered good weather for this weekend. 

Shopping?  At Scarby, it would be easy for me to spend $50k on all of the pretties I've lusted after for lo, these many years.
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: RefMom3 on May 07, 2014, 09:57:28 AM
Your weather order worked like a charm!
It was about as perfect a weekend as a weekend can get. Lovely to have met you and the Daughter Unit, Rani! Extraordinarily lovely to have met you and the Lovely Bride, Master Merlin! We have successfully infected my cousin; she wanted to move into the Castle. Don't worry; I brought her safely home. She'll never be the same ;)
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on May 07, 2014, 10:48:04 AM
It was a bit warm and dusty, I thought, but I tend to be more of a cool weather person.

So pleased that your cousin will never be the same. I know that I have never been the same, and I rather like it that way.

The pleasure of your company, and that of the cousin, was a highlight of the trip.  Any time you wish to visit our castle, you will be welcome!
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on May 07, 2014, 02:30:41 PM
It was wonderful to meet the both of you, also!  It's so much fun when you get to introduce someone else to the joys of Faire, isn't it?  :)  We had a wonderful time, as well... and are looking forward to the next time!  I'm not sure we will be able to get back out there this season, because of the heat... although AccuWeather.com is saying Memorial weekend is actually supposed to be in the low 80s and overcast, which would be rather nice, I think!  We will have to see if we're able to make it out for one more visit, I think! 
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: RefMom3 on May 09, 2014, 09:59:56 AM
I would love to be able to "bookend" the faire; I love to do opening and closing dates. There is a different energy on those days, I think. At least, that's what I've noticed at our faire. The dust made me look very weepy.

My first experience at a faire happened when I was in my late teens, so I think that "change" just incorporated itself into the natural life progression. Upshot: I guess I've always been this way ;)

Master Merlin, that's a very generous invitation; be careful what you say, Sir...~
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Butch on May 09, 2014, 12:48:26 PM
OK!  Just booked the hotel for us to visit Castleton on Sat, 31 May!  HUZZAH!
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on May 09, 2014, 04:02:03 PM
RefMom3, you would be more that welcome here, so I don't have to be careful.  Make it a business trip, and we'll take you to the local Presidential Library...and you could see Toad Suck in person (not at the same place).
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: RefMom3 on May 11, 2014, 01:11:43 PM
Sir, under the present circumstances, the only way it could be a business trip would be if I were looking for a change in venue. Definitely a point to ponder; who knows?
I think having a presidential library in Toad Suck would bring in quite a lot of visitors..
Cindy and I are having withdrawal, lol. She didn't want to leave, and I would head back in a heartbeat. We missed so much!
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on May 12, 2014, 03:09:36 AM
Funny how easy that is when you're in good company, isn't it?  Our Faire may be on the smallish side, but every square inch of it is packed with fun things to see and do... and wonderful people to meet!  A whole SEASON isn't really enough to see and do everything much less a single weekend!  That just means there is always more to look forward to... 

I hope the next time you come down we will get to spend more time with you!  Hopefully Cindy and your daughter, both, will be able to accompany you, as well!  :) 
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: RefMom3 on May 12, 2014, 12:11:30 PM
Rani, I have 3 daughters (that's my 3 in my name; I'm such a clever duck!), and all of them love going to the Faire. Castleton, at least for the first time, was going to be *mine.* Through some wonderfully serendipitous connections, I've made some long-distance friendships with some of the people involved with that faire, and I was feeling very possessive of that first visit. When I was turned back by weather last year, it seemed to be telling me I was being selfish, and needed to reconsider, ;)  . The oldest would have gone but for a scheduling conflict, the middle felt the drive too long, and the youngest didn't realize I meant the offer. My cousin leapt at the chance, and the rest is history. I hope I'll be able to manage it next year, as I realized there was so much I missed.
Cindy had such a good time, I would probably need to heavily sedate her to keep her away, lol.
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on May 13, 2014, 01:23:09 AM
LOL  Well, I hope that next time they will ALL come with you, and we can be a veritable flock of twittering birds taking over the lanes! 

I think I might need to introduce you and Cindy to a couple of garb buy/sell/trade groups I am in on the Book of Faces... if you are interested?  I have found LOTS of very nice, very reasonably priced, new and previously loved items of garb in them over the years... and it's always exciting finding new sources with which to feed those ever-growing garb habits!  ;) 
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: RefMom3 on May 15, 2014, 08:45:04 AM
Ordinarily, buying clothes is one of my top 10 most disliked chores. My mother has actually told me I'm not allowed to buy clothes unless my Middlest Daughter is with me, and that's a fact. Fairewear doesn't seem to have the same vibe.
Suggest away!
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on May 15, 2014, 03:34:11 PM
LOL  Careful what you wish for!  Garb collecting can become an all-consuming addiction that you never want to recover from!  ;D  Just ask almost anyone on these boards...  LOL 

I will add you to a few of the groups over in that other place, then... and happy hunting! 
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Rowan MacD on May 15, 2014, 03:55:38 PM
Quote from: Rani Zemirah on May 13, 2014, 01:23:09 AM
I think I might need to introduce you and Cindy to a couple of garb buy/sell/trade groups I am in on the Book of Faces... if you are interested?  I have found LOTS of very nice, very reasonably priced, new and previously loved items of garb in them over the years... and it's always exciting finding new sources with which to feed those ever-growing garb habits!  ;)

Rani-Any chance you could hook me up with those pages?  I'm pretty sure you've friended me already, if not, do so!
I have a few Sofi's stitches, Likely Lotus, and even Moresca brand gently worn pieces to part with.   

  I am considering parting with the Moresca set I boutgh in 2010. A lovely blue/vine brocade MaxII with the matching blue falda and overskirt (inserts on the bodice are the same material as the heavy brocade split front overskirt) that was worn only 3 times over one season back in 2010.   That set will have to go together, since the skirt matches the MaxII.
  I spent $435 on those and 2 chemises (which I'm keeping)
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on May 15, 2014, 05:27:52 PM
Of course, Rowan... but (I'm embarrassed to admit) you will have to PM me your mundane name, because I am notoriously terrible at matching R/F Faire names with mundane fb profiles!  It's entirely probably that I have absolutely no idea that the one goes with the other...   :-[  lol 


Oh... and if you would be at all interested in any sort of trading for any of your pieces, I am always looking for Moresca, and would love to see the other pieces, as well!  Depending on size, of course... but between my ScallyWag and myself we cover a fairly wide range of sizes. 
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Craigmeister on May 18, 2014, 10:11:45 AM
I've posted pictures from Saturday the 10th on my website.  I hope to go back on the fourth weekend of the month.  Dave Ruff of Stickbow Archery will give a shooting demonstration on the Jousting Field the last two weekends of the month.

www.meistersrealm.com/Meisters_Realm/Photos/Pages/Oklahoma_Renaissance_Festival.html (http://www.meistersrealm.com/Meisters_Realm/Photos/Pages/Oklahoma_Renaissance_Festival.html)
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Butch on May 28, 2014, 05:43:55 PM
OK, we're still on track for attending this Saturday, 31 May!  Any shows to see?  Any to avoid?  Any chow that is exceptional here?   
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on May 28, 2014, 09:23:40 PM
I'm partial to the pork loin sammiches...  Enjoy! This will be Lisa's final weekend as the queen at that faire.
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Butch on May 29, 2014, 01:58:20 PM
Mmmmm, pork loin sammich!  Is there a pre-gate show?  I see they open at 1030, what time should we get there?
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: LibraryPrincess on May 29, 2014, 05:14:32 PM
Holy cow, you guys, Castleton was so adorable! I was stuck in the Cave for most of the weekend and did not get to explore much, but I absolutely LOVED what little I got to experience! I love that the performers (not just cast) are there to greet you at the gate first thing in the morning and are there again to wish you well when you leave at the end of the day. And everyone (patrons and workers alike) is so friendly! It might have been a soggy weekend, but I absolutely loved my time at the Castle and can't wait to return next year. ^_^
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on May 29, 2014, 06:16:37 PM
Butch, if you want to see the gate show, you'll need to be there no later than 9:30, and get into position. The gate is so narrow, it is very hard to see or hear anything.  I just saw that the Royal Gauntlet Birds of Prey show is not returning after this year. It is the very best show I've seen with the birds of prey. Do make a point to see it.

There is no tail-gate to speak of.  I don't know that there are any OkRFers here besides me, and I'm somewhat of a stringer. Lisa, who plays a pirate at KCRF, is finishing her 15-year run as Queen Margaret this weekend.
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Butch on May 30, 2014, 09:22:49 AM
Thank-you for all the recommendations!  We'll be leaving in a few hours.  Should be fun!  Not sure if I can convince my wife and my son's gf to arrive an hour before cannon; oh well!  I'll look up that Birds of Prey show, and maybe tell the queen that I have seen her doppleganger, dressed quite differently, in the lanes of the city of Canterbury, many miles to the North!

I see that EznDil play there; I liked them in the KCRF.

I look forward to our visit!
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on May 31, 2014, 11:59:01 AM
Oh!  The chicken poppers are fantastic, as well!  Battered chicken tenders wrapped in applewood smoked peppered bacon, then deep fried and served with cris-cut potatoes... they're yummy! 
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Butch on June 02, 2014, 07:38:20 AM
Went to the Castle and really had a good time!  So many familiar faces!   We did have the pork tenderloin (no sauce, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion) and found it very delicious!  Also shared hummus, dolmathes, and beef/lamb on a stick (and Turkish coffee) and liked them as well.

The shows were fun; EznDil were great, the Laundry Lasses were pretty good, Musical Blades were as good as ever, the Lord Mayor's Company was nice, and the endangered bird show was worthwhile.  So many other shows to see, will need to come back!

My wife thought there were more kilt wearers than normal, but it didn't seem that way to me.

I didn't see any fairies/fae.

There were very many military types on cast.  I tried to find Archer, but met no success in every person dressed in the white tabbard with the red cross.  One seemed to be very put out that I was asking him if he recognized my R/F pin, and NO he didn't know anyone named Archer.  Oh well!

And that map...whew!  Not really to scale and missing the different areas, and did not list all of the stages.  I was able to put it together (I AM a retired U.S. Marine after all!) but that map needs help!

We had a great time!  We'll be back!
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on June 03, 2014, 06:34:23 PM
Not sure when my brother, Laird Nasty, is due to come out there.  I'm being told that i need to make the trip from down here, deep in Texas, to come take a taste of y'alls faire.  Rani can vouch for me... i don't bite...much...and i've had all my shots.  ;D
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Merlin the Elder on June 03, 2014, 08:44:39 PM
You'll have to wait a year... it just finished its 2014 run last weekend.
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Laird Fraser of Lovatt on June 04, 2014, 04:40:20 PM
That's what i just found out... got a call from Laird Nasty.  He's wanting me up there next year for sure...
Title: Re: Who's Getting Ready for the Castle?
Post by: Rani Zemirah on June 11, 2014, 05:07:25 AM
Oh, you should definitely let us know when to expect you, then, Fraser!  If I know my ScallyWag, she'll start planning as soon as she hears you're going to attend!  You can expect a well prepared tailgate welcome, complete with Mimosas and Bellini's, (and definitely something stronger, also!) and something appetizing to start the day with, as well!  And at the Castle no one asks what's in your tankard as you walk through the gate...  :D  heheh