Anybody here ever been to the Bristol Renfaire? I may have a chance to go here in a bit while visiting Chicago, and I'm wondering if it's anything like TRF. Also wondering what garb to wear- I don't typically do "usual" renfaire stuff...
Bristol is our home faire. I've never been to TRF, but I'll be happy to try to answer your questions.
I see by your name that perhaps you wear Barbarian garb? Bristol has a whole Barbarian Camp, so there are lots of people in that kind of garb. It gets very hot and humid during the summer, but if you go to TRF, you are probably familiar with this.
It's a large faire with permanent buildings, though I don't think as large as TRF. It has been rated 1 in the country several times by Renaissance Festival Podcast Awards. The Royal Court is excellent. They portray the court as it really would have been in Elizabethan times, and in 17 years, I have never seen any one of them break character.
The musical entertainment is second to none. Shopping is excellent, with a lot of stuff you won't find elsewhere, because it is made by the vendors, not purchased items.
If you have any other questions, maybe I can answer, and if not, I have a large group of friends from around the area, so they probably could answer you.