So every year I know that I have certain things that I do to get ready for Faire. I am interested to know what you all do to get ready. Any "rituals" that you have?
As for myself, aside from the usual sewing, purchasing new items, organizing my camping equipment..etc. I have several things that I do that may differ from others.
Having work Safety Services (Security) for the past couple of years I began to do several things before Faire starts.
I start wearing my Fest boots Sometime around June or July in order to make sure that they are broken in & comfy. I begin to "workout" more with my legs. Some strength/lifting exercises, but mostly a lot of cardio, bike riding, and walking.
Most people at Faire end up being on their feet for many, many more hours than they usually are in their mundane lives. Doing SS at MNRF, I am upright and walking for 11 to 12 hours a day with a 1 hour break in the middle of the day. Even with everything that I do to prepare for it, my feet still hate me for the first two weekends. Most days for that hour break, I stay on my feet. Because I know if I sit down, they are going to swell like an SOB!!
This year as things are, I will not be working Security, but I am still preparing as if I were going to do that much walking.
Cheers,
Sean
I start planning our trip routes for possible weekend trips early, determine what weekends people will be available for travel during the RenFest season here in the Northeast, and what Faires we will be able to visit.
Beyond that, go through all the garb and determine what will be worn this year and what will be left out, secure weapons and their frogs that will be worn, and make sure I have all the pieces of my armor.
I also start wearing one of my maille hauberks around the house for a few hours a day just before going off to a Faire to get used to wearing the extra weight.
Hmmmmm...rituals?
Nothing terribly special here. I take an extra day off work to grocery shop and pack the RV.
We both make sure our garb is packed.
No extra walking required though. My job keeps me on my feet 10-12 hours a day normally ;D
Not much here. For me it's mostly sewing/mending garb, and getting things out of storage.
We play all our faire CDs to get us in the mood and to make sure we remember the lyrics so we can sing along when we're supposed to!
Also, I take out all our garb, try on mine -- it's really an excuse in the dead of winter to put on garb. Under the guise of seeing if it's still ok, any rips, etc. There usually is nothing wrong with any of it, but hey, I'm getting ready for faire (even if it's 8 months away!).
Before we go, I take a big box and put in whatever we need for the day: belt & pouch, the tickets, the hat, our material with the favors on it to hang from our belts, mug with frogs, weapons, camera, custom water bottle carriers. Make sure the cell phone is charged, get the Ipass for the tolls, also the GPS, the googled directions to faire, state maps. All go in the box which goes on the back seat of Chiquita or sometimes in the trunk. Garb for the day is laid out, anything we'll put on in the parking lot is laid on top of the box.
Since we have a 3 hour drive, we leave really early in the morning and it's nice to pick up one box and put it in the car.
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on July 22, 2008, 09:24:31 PM
We play all our faire CDs to get us in the mood and to make sure we remember the lyrics so we can sing along when we're supposed to!
Also, I take out all our garb, try on mine -- it's really an excuse in the dead of winter to put on garb. Under the guise of seeing if it's still ok, any rips, etc. There usually is nothing wrong with any of it, but hey, I'm getting ready for faire (even if it's 8 months away!).
Before we go, I take a big box and put in whatever we need for the day: belt & pouch, the tickets, the hat, our material with the favors on it to hang from our belts, mug with frogs, weapons, camera, custom water bottle carriers. Make sure the cell phone is charged, get the Ipass for the tolls, also the GPS, the googled directions to faire, state maps. All go in the box which goes on the back seat of Chiquita or sometimes in the trunk. Garb for the day is laid out, anything we'll put on in the parking lot is laid on top of the box.
Since we have a 3 hour drive, we leave really early in the morning and it's nice to pick up one box and put it in the car.
Any recommendations on pub song CDs?
Quote from: Lady Renee Buchanan on July 22, 2008, 09:24:31 PM
We play all our faire CDs to get us in the mood and to make sure we remember the lyrics so we can sing along when we're supposed to!
I listen to mine while sewing! Gets me all excited for faire!
Well Saoirse and have faire fever all year long. When it gets especially bad we grab our garb and have renfest night at my house with festive music, dancing and movies. My mom thinks we're absolutely crazy for wearing our bodices when we don't have to but to us it feels natural. We talk about "home" and the like and how we can't wait to go back. It's an addiction and little things set us off and we must have a renfest night. There really isn't anything I do in regards to preparing but I must have my renfest fix or I go mad.
Well aside from the making of garb, which is an all year process (something is ALWAYS on my wife's project table) I start my faire year by rehearsing for VARF starting in February. Then I am wrapped up in that until the middle of June, about 2 months off then MDRF starts and its a dead run from there until the middle of November going to one faire or another. Then a short winter break and we start up again. And this year I was the Guilde Manager for the VARF Court so I started working faire around December and I'm still doing it now. I guess I'm never ever really out of faire mode all year long so no ritual needed to get in the mood. I'm in the mood all year! ;D
Our fair season is pretty long too so I should count my blessings.
We are lucky enouigh to have a Symposium in February to get our juices flowing. It's a weekend conference filled with classes and workshops. Vendors come to show off new wares and everyone has a blast. There are workshops on music, dance, history, swordplay, improv, costuming, marketing for vendors...you name it! There are even master classes for production teams and guildmasters. It's an awesome way to get ready for the season.
After that, our first fair is in March and it goes until end of October early November.
The amount of fairs we go to really depends on how far we are willing to travel. I prefer to stay within 3 hours of my fairs, but I have friends to visit one about 5 hours away. I hear it's a great fair, so maybe next year.... Northern CA is really lucky to have so many small fairs. Casa de Fruta is our large multi-weekend fair and it's in the fall. If I had to wait until then to get my fair fix.....shudder...not an option.
i start wearing my sword a few hours a night.
i pull everything out. the gown the boots i also make sure if i've added new accessories i make sure they look good together. i start packing things in my bag that i know that i will only be carrying around that day.
Quote from: Rafe on July 22, 2008, 09:54:22 AM
I begin to "workout" more with my legs. Some strength/lifting exercises, but mostly a lot of cardio, bike riding, and walking.
That is a
really good idea! Why didn't I think of that? Of course, since I typically only work Saturdays and for 6 hours, I am not on my feet that much at the chocolate cart, but since I have a desk job in real life it is way more than I'm used to. Plus all the walking around I do at Fest
after work!! I think I will start trying to go on some long walks over the next month...
Hubby and I began our Faire preps practically a day or so after Faire ended last year. ;D But seriously, we started several months ago by getting our passports (we don't actually need them yet, but figured having them will make for less hassle at the border). For me, I plan on wearing high-heeled boots with all my outfits this year, so I've been wearing heels every chance I get to get my feet used to it. I also make a list of what garb hubby and I will wear/bring on Opening Day, then I go around the house (our garb likes to migrate) collecting the various pieces of said garb. And, as usual, there's always something I'm sewing and it seems like there's plenty of time to finish it, but I always end up having to go into sewing overdrive the last few days (currently, it's a corset I'm making for a friend, an umbrella I'm slowly transforming into a parasol, and I still want to make a couple new pouches). :D I also set aside things I plan on carrying in my bag/basket.
For TRF - we usually go through the camp gear, clean, repair, re-stock and then stage it for pack out. There is much inebriation, tall tales and evil schemes hatched in these meetings.
For faire in general - I'll put on any of the POTC movies, Monty Python's the Holy Grail, Princess Bride, and the Lord of the Rings movies...usually on a loop while I clean, polish, repair, and pack my garb.
Being that my head scarves are Wiccan altarcloths, I wash them with the addition of Dead Sea salt to blessed waters. They are dried in the moonlight. This is done on the nearest full moon to faire. They lay folded on my altar until it's time to pack them.
For those that know me best - this is when the FaireWolf in me begins to overtake. I'm more aggressive in my interactions with others, flirting is off the charts...and then there's the "Captain Howdy" moment - which can freak out my apartment neighbors as I stomp around in my shower - bellowing shanties, swearing oaths and curses, and laughing maniacally. By the time I'm at the gates...there is no Mike...there is only ZOOLLLL! Or actually, Molden. ;)
Starts in mid-may, preparations for Siouxland in South Dakota, find all my garb and accessories. This is my Tryout faire for new bits, brush up the GFA (good faire accent), saddle soap and goose grease my boots. Dig out the songbook and run lyrics.
Since I drive between 4 and 6 hours to all my faires, packing properly is essential. I start with an open empty bag and "get dressed". Socks, bloomers, smock, skirts, bodices, dresses, sleeves, headwear, boots, belt and pouch and hanging things to match. Paperwork, IDs, meds, toiletries, sunscreen, 'things to do', mending kit with thread to match clothing. Doggy bag for Nixie with fresh food, treats, blankie, toys, pee pads, spare leash, sweater. Clean mundanes for the drive home, nightie, pre-marked performance schedule.
Dayna
Pack the cooler and hit the ATM ...
Quote from: Scotsman on July 23, 2008, 11:23:25 AM
Pack the cooler and hit the ATM ...
LOL...that is what
I was thinking! Ok, I might double check to be sure I have clean underwear and deodorant for the next day...
It's pretty basic, as I usually only attend ORF (would have changed if I'd not run into snags before KYHRF). Once the season ends, if I have no other events in October or November (I will have a Harry Potter movie release this year), I start planning what I will need the following season, and how I'm going to fund it. I make lists, obsessively. There's the "Garb List," which is always the longest and rarely gets completed. It includes everything from "Red bodice--too big" to "Black Skirt--fix hem" to "Chris' garb--wants Wizard stuff." Then comes the accessories list, which includes pouches, belts, etc. The "Special Events" list, which lists all the weekends that I've made plans. This year, it includes such exciting events as "Ren Virgin Weekend" and "I'm 1/4 of a Century Old Weekend!" I always plan my birthday around closing weekend, as it falls within just a few days, and spend half the year inviting people. Somewhere around April or May, my best Ren Friend and I get really antsy and usually get together and wear garb to do really random things...like walk up and down the road, making up elaborate stories and singing songs.
When Faire time actually comes, I'm pretty good to go on the accent, since I drop into it at random times throughout the year anyway, but there are a few things we do before leaving for Faire every year. One being the organization of showers. Depending on the number of people going with me (and staying at my place), I'll get up anywhere from 2-3 hours before we have to leave. I shower, put on some 'danes, and hit the kitchen to wake everyone up with the clanging of pans and smell of breakfast. Breakfast always includes either French Toast or Eggy-in-a-Basket, bacon, veggie sausage, and potatoes O'Brien. Someone makes a coffee run, sometimes two people if there are more than 4 people at my house. Once everyone's fed, the girls gather in my room to get dressed and laced two at a time. (Like, Courtney laces me while Ellie laces her.) It works out surprisingly well. Once we leave, we normally stop at the gas station to get more coffee and other essentials for the 45-minute drive, then we're on the way. Basically, I have to have chaos before I leave for Faire in the morning. xD
Once Faire is looming on the horizon, I start super-hydrating myself, starting about Wednesday.
Drink
Drink WATER
Drink WATER untill you pee
Drink WATER untill you pee clear!
We start with ME making new garb and fixing old ones. Trying to budget what we're going to spend money on while we're there. Watching faire-ish movies. And packing my belt.
One of my faires is only 20 min. away. So I get dressed and drive down there.
The other faire is 3 hours away! So we pack what we want to wear the night before in the car , wake up EARLY the next mourning, go get breakfast, make the 3 hour tour. . . I mean drive. Stop at the closest gas station to the faire and get dressed in their restrooms (which are very clean!) Then off to the faire!
Then beg my sister to drive the 3 hours back home so I can sleep in the back seat!!!
Quote from: VIII on July 23, 2008, 07:05:43 PM
Once Faire is looming on the horizon, I start super-hydrating myself, starting about Wednesday.
Drink
Drink WATER
Drink WATER untill you pee
Drink WATER untill you pee clear!
A general rule of thumb that I always tell people. If you haven't hit the privy in the last hour or two, you aren't drinking enough water!
Charlotte:
I have actually added in a workout that I do just about every-other-day as well. All without weights. Each exercise is done for a duration of 60 seconds. Calf-raises, standing squats, lunges, side lunges, situps(various types), pushups and some light work with those exercise band thingies. It is working great so far.
On the topic of music. Doin't have CD's of any of the music, most of it is just bouncing around in my head. "All for me grog" is almost constatly replaying itself.
Sean
Quote from: Rafe on July 24, 2008, 10:03:50 AM
Quote from: VIII on July 23, 2008, 07:05:43 PM
Once Faire is looming on the horizon, I start super-hydrating myself, starting about Wednesday.
Drink
Drink WATER
Drink WATER untill you pee
Drink WATER untill you pee clear!
A general rule of thumb that I always tell people. If you haven't hit the privy in the last hour or two, you aren't drinking enough water!
Rofl i can drink and drink and drink water and not hit the privy until i get home but then i have a big blader too
Quote from: theChuck on July 22, 2008, 09:33:16 PM
Any recommendations on pub song CDs?
Goodness, we try to buy a CD from just about every musician at our home faire and also for the musicians at other faires we attend. Where can I begin?
Seelie Court, Mollie & the Tinker, Jock Stewart (Jessie Linder), Owain Phyfe, Tartanic, Empty Hats, Michael O'Quinn, plus a friend (yea, Nyte!) made me 3 CDs of various artists for the Winter Exchange, which are marvelous. They include musicians that we don't have at any of our local faires, so we have an even greater variety of music. Felix the Bubble Man sent us some wonderful CDs as a gift, because I had asked about Cast in Bronze. He sent us their CD plus several others as a surprise. Plus we have the Celtic Women CDs, and another CD called Celtic Woman 4, which isn't the same as the group of Celtic Women. Instead, it's different individual Irish women each singing 1 song on the CD.
We also play CDs in the car both ways, and with a 3 hour drive each way, we hear a lot of music while driving.
I grow a goatee a couple weeks before opening day and pull out the kilts to make sure they're free of wrinkles. I also have to track down some stuff (now where did I leave that penannular?).
I really start right after the faire ends, for the following year. Then in May, I plant flowers in their pots, to take to the shop. I have been watering them every evening since.
Last weekend, went to the shop and whacked weeds, swept out, washed and freshened up the floor, sprayed for wasps, checked everything to see what had to be repaired. (Better than I was expecting to find) Soon, will be taking the furniture, plants and displays down, putting up the sign and setting up the products. I hope I have them finished in time, which also requires packaging, pricing etc. :) Today, I finished making a new banner for the parade. :) I still have garb to make.
Then, there's the packing up misc. stuff: bags, paperwork, passes, towels, clothes, shoes, cameras, accessories, shop broom, fire extinguisher, cooler, flashlights, first aid, etc.
Pull out all the garb to see if it still fits ;D of course. Make any repairs that need to be made. Start hounding D/H to pull all his garb out to see if it still fits or needs repairs. Plan any new garb months in advance. Start listening to pub songs. Try to get my daughter in gear to get her garb made that she wants or help her make it. ::)
Other than the usual packing of the millions of items that will be needed in the course of a weekend of camping @ TRF, the night before I leave for my first weekend, I watch Monty Python's Holy Grail movie. It was a ritual my younger cousin and I started several years ago, and I have to continue it, even though she no longers attends with me. :D
This weekend it's out to take all of the furniture and display stuff we leave in the back shed and was the dust off of it. Evict the wasps, sweep out the leaves, weed whack the weeds that have been growing between the bricks, fill in under the bricks along the south wall where the ground squirrels have probably been digging. Put the canvas roof up on the booth. See if the back exterior wall needs a fresh coat of paint, trim the wild grape vine out front, hang the shop sign out front.
Next weekend it's bring out the rest of the signage, furniture and display fixtures that don't get left in the booth in the off season, and any other last minute repairs or touch-ups that we noticed this week.
For home faire, MDRF, not much but when traveling to faire we learned a lesson the hard way. No matter how sure we are that we packed each set of garb away in its entirety the last time it was worn; we now pull it all out and inventory everything, then repack it so it can go into the car. It was a real bummer to be two states away to find we had over looked a couple items.
Wash and iron the garb, throw all the accessories in the corner of the bedroom.
Throw all the beach stuff in the back seat, put gas in the Bug.
Throw on some Lynyrd Skynyrd and head for I-275!
I do alot of throwing, I guess......including the prerequisite hissy fit. ;)
Oops, forgot ... fill the flask!
Quote from: Dallan on July 31, 2008, 09:55:44 PM
Oops, forgot ... fill the flask!
That is always a must on the list!
Quote from: Dallan on July 31, 2008, 09:55:44 PM
Oops, forgot ... fill the flask!
You actually let yours become empty????
Think I'm gonna put rum in my flask this time!
Start by panicking around October, (when SCREAMS is in full swing).
Determine if I really do have to take out the garb and resize it, again.
Ponder the thought of just making another outfit.
(from the ground up is less pain than man-handling an already 'perfect', even if it is two sizes too big, dress)
Get talked out of it, by SO who states that food is more important.
Actually have the conversation as to why this food is the priority and how cheaply I
can make a gown and just eat peanut butter and tuna for three months.
Start inventory.
Try to find all the stuffs I have loaned out over the season, figure what of these items I can do without, and what I need back.
Start working out, again. (Lower back particularly, and core muscles)
Get calls from friends who want their stuffs back, cause they need it for next season.
Start saving money specifically for Faire.
Find all my Faire boxes and bags and dump out everybody else's stuff and put my garb back in them.
Ensure my RIT he can have his 'Fort' back in June.
That's pretty much it for the ritual. All that takes about four months.
Quote from: renren on August 05, 2008, 04:02:51 PM
Think I'm gonna put rum in my flask this time!
My flask bit the dust.
Quote from: Mad Jack Wolfe on August 05, 2008, 07:14:17 PM
Quote from: renren on August 05, 2008, 04:02:51 PM
Think I'm gonna put rum in my flask this time!
My flask bit the dust.
Sweet Neptune! Jack without his flask?! ;)
-Start sewing around Christmas (I hate to rush) because I'll be pressed into service to sew someone else something. So I get mine done early.
-Mend what needs fixing.
-Give boss notice when I'm not working on Saturdays. (They hunt so they do understand)
-Check and see that everything is ready and all pieces are there.
-Then if we go out of state: plan where to stay, route, kennel dog and pack car.
Quote from: Mad Jack Wolfe on August 05, 2008, 07:14:17 PM
My flask bit the dust.
Great Neptunes Ghost... a Pirate without his flask is like... is like... Well, I don't even want to imagine what that is like. ~shudder~ May the Goddess smile upon ye again soon with another flask.
Quote from: Dallan on July 31, 2008, 01:21:17 PM
For home faire, MDRF, not much but when traveling to faire we learned a lesson the hard way. No matter how sure we are that we packed each set of garb away in its entirety the last time it was worn; we now pull it all out and inventory everything, then repack it so it can go into the car. It was a real bummer to be two states away to find we had over looked a couple items.
What other faire's do you go to that are close by? There's not much to prepare for, for the MDRF, since there is no camping, or weapons allowed .. *sigh* A shame. Im envious of others. I would love to try the camping thing, and didn't go to Penssic .Maybe next year.
May try out PA Renn sometime though, I've only eve been to the MD one.
Quote from: remission on August 10, 2008, 08:38:49 AM
What other faire's do you go to that are close by? There's not much to prepare for, for the MDRF, since there is no camping, or weapons allowed .. *sigh* A shame. Im envious of others. I would love to try the camping thing, and didn't go to Penssic .Maybe next year.
May try out PA Renn sometime though, I've only eve been to the MD one.
Is there a campground near-by? There's no camping at MiRF either, but there's a campground less than 2 miles or so from the Faire site. I drive the RV (so's we haz a places to lives) and she drives the Aztec (so's we haz sumthin to get to and from Fairez) and all is right with the world! ;D
Not sure if there is a campground by there. It is not that far from me, so i can normally just go up and back. But I would love to try the camping thing. I haven't really ever been on a camping trip, other then 1 time at Pennsic 10 years ago with my ex bellydancer girlfriend.
Quote from: remission on August 10, 2008, 09:17:36 AM
Not sure if there is a campground by there. It is not that far from me, so i can normally just go up and back. But I would love to try the camping thing. I haven't really ever been on a camping trip, other then 1 time at Pennsic 10 years ago with my ex bellydancer girlfriend.
LOL I'm not sure I'm legally allowed to call it "camping" as we borrow my parents 35' RV! ::) But it's all fun anyways! :D
Quote from: remission on August 10, 2008, 08:38:49 AM
Quote from: Dallan on July 31, 2008, 01:21:17 PM
For home faire, MDRF, not much but when traveling to faire we learned a lesson the hard way. No matter how sure we are that we packed each set of garb away in its entirety the last time it was worn; we now pull it all out and inventory everything, then repack it so it can go into the car. It was a real bummer to be two states away to find we had over looked a couple items.
What other faire's do you go to that are close by? There's not much to prepare for, for the MDRF, since there is no camping, or weapons allowed .. *sigh* A shame. Im envious of others. I would love to try the camping thing, and didn't go to Penssic .Maybe next year.
May try out PA Renn sometime though, I've only eve been to the MD one.
We made it to PARF for the fist time last year and will probably go again this year. We've been going to VARF the last few years. It's totally different from MDRF and we love it. We also went to NCRF this spring and are planning on CRF this fall. That will be 5 different faires this year. Charlotte, NC will be the longest drive for faire so far at 7 hours. I don't think we can go much further with the boys (11 and 6).
Yea 7 hours is a bit far for me, unless I can go with a large group to camp somewhere. Havent been camping since I was a lil boi and would love to try it out again.
One day I will have to travel and do that.
Quote from: remission on August 11, 2008, 01:54:33 PM
Yea 7 hours is a bit far for me, unless I can go with a large group to camp somewhere. Havent been camping since I was a lil boi and would love to try it out again.
One day I will have to travel and do that.
You should try VARF in the spring. It's just outside Fredericksburg, VA so it's 2 to 3 hours away depending on where you are and what time you leave. It's held at Lake Anna Winery and there is camping nearby. We have adopted it as our second Home Faire because we love it so much. It's much smaller and more intimate than MDRF. The size has advantages and disadvantages. The pluses way out weigh the minuses. Closing weekend is typically Father's Day Weekend and there are usually a couple invasions. That weekend has become a family tradition for us.
Quote from: Rafe on July 22, 2008, 09:54:22 AM
So every year I know that I have certain things that I do to get ready for Faire. I am interested to know what you all do to get ready. Any "rituals" that you have?
I have to try on my dress and bodice. I was pregnant the last time I wore them and the bodice didn't fit too well. :D Mostly I just work on my accent, tho I do need to get myself a good pair of boots.
Besides talking incessantly about what I'm going to do at the faire and getting garb and accessories ready, I run to all the banks in town and have my brother go to the mint in DC to load up on HUNDREDS of dollar coins. There's almost nothing cooler than paying for everything with clinking gold and silver. Plus, it beats the hell out of unrolling bills to check denominations. *Clink, Clink, Clink, Clink* for the libation and *Clink* for your trouble, good woman! We also give our kids (7 and 5) $20 each season to spend on whatever they want (we buy food and drink). For some reason, both kids always run out of money before the third visit...
I just saw theChuck's request for CDs today. Sorry about the late reply!
We listen to Jesse Linder, Molly & the Tinker, Michael Quinn, Seelie Court, the Celtic Women CDs (though this last is not pub songs). We have several compilation CDs with various artists, one of our favorites is a fundraiser for the Rescu Foundation. We have faire CDs in our car, on our computer, in our CD player. Almost never listen to "regular" music anymore. Our non-faire friends are usually blown away when Steve drives and they have to sit and listen to Tartanic or Cast in Bronze.
I'm from Louisiana but live in Houston now, and I have a BUNCH of friends from LA that come to TX every year to attend TRF with me. As anyone who's tried to corral and organize a bunch of drunk cajun rennies knows, it's like herding cats. Nigh on impossible.
So, to make things safer and easier, we rent a 15 passenger van and pack upwards of 20+ people, all their gear, and a cooler of homemade mead in that sucker. The drive to and from the Faire are as epic as the day itself. For some reason tired drunk rennies like to sing Styx songs at the top of their lungs all the ay back to Houston..... I always have to apologize to whomever the designated driver is the next morning for the singing and my drunken navigation skills.... we've found somelong and interesting routes from Plantersville to Houston over the years..
Other things I do:
- pull out garb and make sure it all is in good condition
- flush boda bags out with HOT water and a little iodine, year olde mead is NASTY
- look at the festival calendar of events and decide what shows we want to try to see
- send silly faire based text messages and e-mails to my friends to get them fired up. We're going to TRF Nov. 1st so today sent them this text: "What is that scent of spice, honey, pine, dirt, stale beer, and a hint of feces bourne upon the North wind? The Sea Hag beckons you all!" Many years back in a MUCH intoxicated state the Sea Devil Tavern became the "Sea Hag" to us and it just stuck.
I CAN'T WAIT TIL FAIRE!
Hawkwind
The night before I take out my dirk and claymore and polish the blades (NO JOKES!). I may take out my kit and inventory all my items to make sure I'm not unpleasantly surprised in the morning. I go as a Highlander in great kilt, so while I dress I always put a piobaireachd ['Pibroch' - ancient solo pipe tunes] in the CD player.
Getting ready for faire is almost as fun as going! Let's see, I usually start by making a list of everything I need. Then Morwyn and I email each other back and forth for at least a week discussing garb, then changing our minds at least three times. By Friday night I have my garb selected as well as footwear, accessories, jewelry, etc. I have my food and drink ready to go so all I have to do is pack it in the cooler Saturday morning: cheese & crackers, veggies & dips, humus, some fruit, water. And of course plenty of champagne and oj for the morning tailgate! Then it's off to meet Morwyn at Starbucks and hit the road!
OMG! I'm so excited! July is waaay too far away!
pull the kilts out of the closet and make sure they are ready to be worn, if not off to the dry cleaners.
wash all the shirts(trying to get all of the pub stains out)and hang them up to dry so they have that nice neutral smell, scuff up the boots(yes i said scuff them up i wear them to work so they may get polish on them between faires) fill the zippo(a true gentelman is never without a light...not claiming to be one but i do have a lighter if you need one) make sure the bottle opener is in my sporran(its the good kind that can open wine or beer bottles) consider getting the nobles garb out and then desiding not to(too much hassel although i may this year because my roommate made me a new montrose doublet) sharpen the blades, "condition" the mug, practice lifting mug, party with all the rennie friends who cant make it the night before we leave. get up fill the tank and go to the pub closest to faire. oass out fr a couple hours then get the garb on and go to faire.
Getting ready is such fun! I fill my flasks first, get the wands and staffs ready and make sure my love potion gourd is full!
Arrange the garb with fans, bodices shoes and sharp pointies and all my jewelry and my crown of course!. Make sure I have at least 40 or 50 pounds of COB ( crap on belt) I also make a list! Gas in the Meowmobile! And my happy driving to faire CD playing full blast !
POOF! I am there!
First, I prepare with lots of bouncing around chanting "We're going to faire, we're going to faire!" for at least 1 week prior, if not more. Make garb or accessories if needed, and mend any problems in the garb we have. Coordinate with the fairemily to see who is bringing what as far as food and rink is concerned and what we need to bring. Load up on more drink than is necessary. Fill my flask. Arrange garb and pack it. If it is nearer the end of TRF or if it is CTRF (both of which means it will be cold at night) make sure we have thermal underwear, sweatpants, gloves, hats, and more layers than anyone person should need. Get camping gear in order. Try unsuccessfully to sleep the night before. Hit the road bouncing and full of joy. Arrive at faire and finally feel like I'm home.
Make sure the camper is loaded with all the necessary garb, blades, walking staffs, belts, boots, gowns etc. Insure that the fridge is stocked with beer and snacks. Do not worry so much about main food as we usually raid the food vendors for left overs at discounts, deep discounts on Sunday night. this for faires we do as performers. As visitors we make sure we have the right garb, and campground reservations.
I never stop talking about faire, so months beforehand include getting all of my friends onboard for the timeline as to when faire is and talking them into coming out to see me at Scarby, and in the works for having some friends come with me to TRF in the Fall already. I'm always sketching garb, whether its during a dull moment in class or if I'm waiting at the doctors office, I just like to brainstorm different things, different combination. Always wanting to get a new chemise or skirt made, a new color combo, am trying to figure out what I'm going to save up for at Scarby this season... the night before I leave for Scarby includes making sure I have water and food to put in the cooler in the morning, picking out the outfit, getting my boots, belt, tail, pouches, swagrag, etc. etc. etc. all in my tub, charge the cell, and make sure that if anyone is coming with, they know to be ready to go at a specific time. Or else...well, they can find another ride. ;D
This year, Halloween falls on a Staurday at one of the TRF weekends. It's ALWAYS wilder on a Halloween! I cn hardly wait.
The night before Faire starts, I always try to walk as much of the site as I can at about midnight.
I spent this last weekend going through the garb and making sure everything was
in good condition.
Hyper-ventilate, drive those around me absolutely mad with "Is it here yet? Is it here yet?" or an hour by hour countdown. Basically the same things I did as a child on Christmas Eve! ::) :P
Immediately after the previous faire, I start making a mental inventory of what in my garb worked, what was uncomfortable, and what looked silly, along with ways to fix it.
In the spring I start to order my stuff I need.
Throughout the summer, I organise it, try it on, alter it, etc.
Though I work out anyway, just to burn off energy and be healthy, I want to step it up this summer so I can have some obvious definition, so I don't look like the female equivalent of the skinny little dudes in 10 tons of armour and weapons.
The morning before I go to the faire, I pick up whomever I'm taking, and go to Sheetz to get gas and refreshments.
Oh yes, and it's imperative that I'm late no matter how much I try to be on time.
I always stretch my leg muscles. My first weekend actually working a faire resulted in a week of agony after I strained my thigh muscles curtsying to everyone I saw. I also do vocal warm ups, as I spend a good part of the day either singing, hollering or squeaking, and the first weekend the SECOND year I worked faire led me to completely losing my voice. Try doing Shakespeare when you can't even whisper- it's fun.
I spend about 5 months getting ready for faire and at any given moment, I'v got enough garb and other odds and ends in my car that I can be garbed and ready to go for any unexpected faire event or promo.
To get ready though, I'll spend countless hours on site getting teh grounds ready and prepairing my own demo area, I spend a few weekends going to faire performance classes, rehersals and promotions. I have a cd of drinking songs, faire music, and pirate derges that I'll listen to for a solid week with mixing in some good classic rock and roll as I drive up to site, and celtic music as I drive off.
Quote from: Queen Bonnie on February 16, 2009, 04:18:00 PM
Make sure I have at least 40 or 50 pounds of COB ( crap on belt) POOF! I am there!
yep, I do that too though it just kind of ends up that way since I'm always needing and odd asortment of period tools as I move around. I'll start wearing that and my garb as I do sitework to get used to the way it all moves and feels hanging off me.
First fair in 2 weeks...http://www.sonoracelticfaire.com/ (http://www.sonoracelticfaire.com/)...and I'm definately not ready. Need to finish my new bodice, overskirt, dye old underskirt so I can wear it until the new fabric comes in for the new underskirt.... make guideropes for pavillion, new poles for backstage....the list goes on and on..... happiness is working on faire....
Quote from: Merry on March 01, 2009, 10:23:48 AM
...
the list goes on and on..... happiness is working on faire....
It seems you can write a list of everything that needs to happen before faire starts, but for every one thing you'll write down, you find 15 more small, little, or hopefully only rarely large, things that still need to get done
Quote from: jcbanner on March 02, 2009, 12:26:34 AM
Quote from: Merry on March 01, 2009, 10:23:48 AM
...
the list goes on and on..... happiness is working on faire....
It seems you can write a list of everything that needs to happen before faire starts, but for every one thing you'll write down, you find 15 more small, little, or hopefully only rarely large, things that still need to get done
I know....isn't it great ;)
Panic because no one else seems to find the fact that faire started last weekend and things STILL need to be done a problem!
Hm.
I guess I struggle through life for about 300 days or so.
Seriously, though, I used to walk more often, but now that that's part of my daily exercise routine, I guess I won't have to do that this year. Just the usual, I s'pose: ordering new stuff, trying it on... hhmm.. I change the type of music I listen to around this time of year if that counts as "preparation".
I also have had to work on my sleeping schedule that last couple of years, as I will this year, due to working nights seven days a week. So I have to get used to coming home at about 5am-ish and going straight to sleep (ugh) so's I can get up and be at Fest at least by 11:30am-noon or so.
Quote from: Dracconia on March 04, 2009, 08:16:10 PM
Panic because no one else seems to find the fact that faire started last weekend and things STILL need to be done a problem!
I'm right with you there! Seems that for every 10-20 cast members, we'll only get one that really puts in the long haul to help finish things up. :'(
i have to write lists for what i'm camping with, what events are going on, what i want to carry on belt/basket etc..
i've been on cast for ncrf for 4 yrs and i've slowly been adding to garb attire/camping stuff
once i walk in the christmas parade i'm in ren faire mode itching for jan's practices to start
start playing the ren cd's and memorizing songs for the pub/closing time
buying fabric/supplies - coming up with bits and character ideas
march is pure madness of pulling it all together till that day..that magicial day
friday!!! the day before faire starts when people/castmates/rf's/mcrack/wench/rogue/etcs...
come from all over pitching tents getting things set up walking around talking to people
helping whoever needs help getting the last details done for both faire and campsite
watching our faire come to life then walking it at night and lastly the first bonfire
whether or not there is a fire ban there is a pit somewhere with chairs around it
wake up surrounded by friends and then become the character....
It boggles my mind how I have almost an entire year to prepare for the next season for GARF...and yet each year it's the same old thing... I wait until Feburary or March to start ordering some new clothes and odds and ends. Why in the world do I do that?!? ::)
I spend the months before faire begins checking over all the garb worn last season, doing any repairs to my own as well as Dark Wolfs attire. I try to make something new for every year, wether it be new tights for Dark Wolf or a new poet shirt... to a whole new dress for myself... sew.. sew...sew...
1st thing I do is PANIC
2nd thing is to check the garb to see what needs repair, cleaning or replacement
3rd is to make sure I remember where I stashed the tickets
4th is to gas up the truck
5th is to leave on time to make opening cannon (w/tickets in hand)
Today, I'm finishing repairs while watching the Princess Bride in the hotel room, coordinating with family and friends, get tickets in advance and keep checking to make sure they're still in the wallet where you left them... ;D
I've been working on garb since New Year's.
Located and washed the drinking vessels.
Planned lunch menus
stocked up on beer, wine, whiskey (40 Creek under $20 get it before it goes up) and brandy.
Cleaned mud off the shoes from the last visit to TRF in the rain.
Bout new color coordinated laces for everything.
Now waiting for opening day!
@Dona- ^_^ Glad you bumped this!
~Working on new garb since before Christmas-all done except for hemming and some trim.
~Found out my favorite black Moresca chemise has a bleached out mark on one sleeve. Sucks! Have to redye it in time for the Pirate fest.
~check stockings for stains and holes and shoes for mud.
~Locate belts, pouches, tankards and bottles, and make sure they contain the basics for survival.
~Checking in with the producers of the local faire to see where he needs volunteers this year for site cleanup, decorating, etc.
~Put up posters and flyers when I get them in the mail...
~Planning lodging and faire attendance around the Celtic Festivals we do.
What do I do? Normally, just get organized, and go to the liquor store. This year, shear panic. Nim and I are supposed to convince each other that we want to do this for another 40 years... :P
Since the last Faire we attend is in December, and the first is March. I'm constantly keeping up with our garb.
When I come home from Faire, I wash or clean anything than needs done and rehang it in our Garb Wardrobe. We clean out and check our Footlocker we use for guns, sword, sashs and any other accessories we use. Re-pack according to out next event.
Check boots to make sure they don't need cleaning and all the buttons are on them.
Check our snack bag and restock. ( this is for the car and the hotel room) Also check our liquor supply if needed.
This way right before we leave for our next event, All I have to do is organize it into a pile, pack any mundane clothes we need and Dragon packs the truck. I find keeping up with it is easier on me than the mad rush the week before Faire, unless of course there is only a week between events, and then I'm in panic mode.
In the past I just grabbed my garb on my way to family gathering point for day-tripping. My garb is on the generic, not-noble, more fantasy stuff that can be repaired with a few safety pins if necessary.
Now that Sherwood is here and a Clan is kind enough to let me stow away with them, I keep a running list of everything I need to have done (animals taken care of; cold food ready to pack, thermos filled, mundane clothes counted, garb items ready) or loaded in the car each week before arriving at camp. As I do things, the list is updated constantly to reflect where everything is, i.e. left at camp, in trunk, in big blue box, in flippy top box, boxes in car, etc.
Last thing I do before leaving is print a hard copy of my list and verify it is accurate, that all is in car; check purse for id, money, keys; put cell phone on; and lock the doors.
Faire never ends with me. I cheat now that I'm a vendor and keep all my faire garb and accessories in my booth so I never forget anything any more during the season. I am also either making or repairing items year round. I also have all outfits and all accessories in tubs together so I don't have to spend to much time finding everything I wear with each look.
....so I ask my husband what he's going to be wearing this weekend since I have my garb all set out. He replies "You've known what you're going to wearing this weekend since March!"
Quote from: PollyPoPo on April 03, 2012, 05:54:09 AM
Last thing I do before leaving is print a hard copy of my list and verify it is accurate, that all is in car; check purse for id, money, keys; put cell phone on; and lock the doors.
I've been printing packing checklists since the days when I had an RV. They are soooo handy, particularly when you are planning to bring food.
It helps to pack the car/van with whatever you can well before launch time.
There are a few things that are semi-permanent in my trunk: 2 folding chairs and and a folding table, and some drawstring trash bags for everything from dirty laundry to actual trash. They come in handy for rain too, though I always carry a travel umbrella in the back seat.
Let's see...In no super-particular order:
1. Sew, sew, sew new garb...whether it's needed or not (and honestly, how could it NOT be needed right????)
2. Check the extended forcast
3. Tweak and repair existing garb.
4. Check the extended forcast
5. Obsessively watch "Garb movies" and read historical or medieval-ish fantasy novels (gotta say, if my home faire wasn't in the hottest part of the year...it would be all about Game of Thrones garb this year :) )
6. Check the extended forcast
7. Organize the Accessories Bin(s)
8. Check the extended forcast
9. Make rum purchases (and/or other interesting boozes...but really mostly rum...AHEM, COMING TO ST. LOUIS ANYTIME SOON TEACH?)
10. Check the extended forcast
11. Decide what myself and Pirate Bob will be wearing. He's like my renaissance faire dress-up-doll! Don't tell him I said that though, LOL!
12. Impatiently wait.
13. Check the weather ON faire day.
Cut the heads off of three chickens and drink their blood while holding my breath.
Toss the remaining entrails of Jack's three dead chickens onto flat terrain and then, use them to forecast Oklahoma weather.
It takes only three chickens to forecast the weather in Oklahoma? Man, you should count yourself lucky.
Yeah, yeah, Iain! I suppose you had to walk to school in the snow every day...uphill...both ways... ;)
Arkansas weather is even harder to predict. We used to sacrifice virgins for our forecasts. There aren't any virgins left, so we have no idea what weather is going to be from one day to the next...
{{ does everyone have their hip-boots handy for all the B.S. being shoveled into this thread? }} ::)
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on April 27, 2012, 04:23:14 PM
Yeah, yeah, Iain! I suppose you had to walk to school in the snow every day...uphill...both ways... ;)
Arkansas weather is even harder to predict. We used to sacrifice virgins for our forecasts. There aren't any virgins left, so we have no idea what weather is going to be from one day to the next...
{{ does everyone have their hip-boots handy for all the B.S. being shoveled into this thread? }} ::)
Uh, We are in Minnesota, we have you all beat. It can go from a lovely 80 degree, sunny day to snowing/glare ice/ blizzard conditions by dusk. Or, it can 105 with 95% humidity. The entire. Freaking. Summer. Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humor.
I make a list of every possible silly thing we might need. No matter how silly. It has saved my tukus a few times.
Oh yes, we learned the hard way one year- Giggles and I went with my girls (just two of them at the time) and we were dressed as fairies- the forecast called for a beautiful day! I live an hour away from Fest, it was nice at my house when we left that morning! However, it was cold and windy on the Festival grounds- well, depending on where you were! Some spots were warm(ish) and sunny, others, not so much. We were NOT prepared that day!
Oh, and last year, when I brought my parents on our "unofficial" pirate weekend, I made cloaks for myself and my girls but then left them in a booth (yours, Kate!) because we got so hot. That only lasted until we walked to the far side of the grounds, then we were freezing and no warm cloaks to be had! Yeah, on any given day just walking the 22 acres of Festival grounds can bring on a wide variety of weather situations in MN. I have to remember to remember that! :-\
First, I have to get mentally psyched. I watch all the typical renfaire/fantasy movies ( LOTR, Conan, Krull, ect ) while I start to clean the house and make things neat around a few days before fair. Our home fair is right down the road, so I feel less of a pressure than say if we were going to camp at TRF ( Which we will be doing this year... So I am preparing for a huge freakout! ).
Then, once the floors are vacuumed and everything is scrubbed and lemony-fresh, I start to pull our garb and all of our trappings out. Now, throughout the period between fairs we will usually take all of our stuff out once, inspect it, and then put it back, so this final time is just really to look at it, squeal, and put it in our watertight/dirttight see through containers. Right now, we are a poor newly married couple so we really only bring bottles of water for the heat and the typical toiletries, along with a firepit and our tent ( hopefully soon we will have a camp stove and a few extras we want ).
Everything gets put into our large tupperware bins, slid into the back of the truck, and off we go!