Just started really getting into the whole scene and was wondering if there are a few blogs out there that are the "go to" blogs or sites to visit to get current on everything?
I have really enjoyed reading all of your posts and hope I can contribute one of these days
Thanks
JP
It varies from hell-to-breakfast, John. Some faires have their own forums, but I think an unattached forum, like this one, will give you less PR and more real experiences. You do not indicate what part of the country you are in, nor what your home faire might be, but the Texas faires have a very active contingent on this forum.
For information about a specific thing, whether it be a faire, garb, or best features of a given faire, you need but to ask. Probably every faire in the country — and some outside — has someone here who has walked their grounds.
Merlin:
Thanks
What I was really looking for was a blog or daily news site. Something like
http://daily-steampunk.com/steampunk-blog/ (http://daily-steampunk.com/steampunk-blog/)
but for Renaissance Faires
thanks again
As I understand it; a Blog is just one person writing about their own experiences, opinions, interests.
A Forum is a discussion of a (number of) topics on a main theme by multiple contributors.
A Blog might be interesting to read, but using a Blog as a 'go to' for info would be like reading just one person's posts on this forum and ignoring everybody elses; pretty close to just reading the web pages for a faire or event and not asking someone who has actually attended it.
Like Merlin said-you will get a version of what they want you to read and see- like pretty people, in pretty settings, doing pretty things, with the Blogger in hog heaven the entire time; OR a whole load of spleen, if that Blogger has an axe to grind with that venue.
A forum is more balanced; IMHO. I either come here-or I visit the Book of Faces and read ALL the comments for a venue.
A word of advice-The admin on a FB page can and sometimes does remove negative feedback-so be suspect of a page that contains nothing but glowing reviews and enthusiastic posters.
I second what Merlin and Rowen said.
A lot of it also really depends on what you're looking to get out of the information.
Are you trying to find fares in your area?
Are you looking for clothing ideas?
Do you want to get more involved with faires?
Do you want to read other peoples experiences at a specific faire or faires in general?
Do you want to see pretty pictures of other faires?
etc.
Some people here have their own blogs (http://idahorennies.blogspot.com) but they're primary topic may not interest you. This is why we would all recommend you check out this forum over a blog. Event wise, I'd start with their facebook page and read through that. You can also get reviews meet ups, ideas, etc of those faires here as well.
This is my first stop to find out what is going on around the country regarding Renfaires. It also helps keep me sane during the 4 - 5 months of cold winter weather when I can't make it to a faire.
If you are interested in specific faires and aren't getting enough info on them from specific forum boards here, many of them have their own Facebook pages.
there is some stuff on reddit (also stuff on historical costuming/ SCA and other related things)
http://www.reddit.com/r/RenFaire (http://www.reddit.com/r/RenFaire) this sub doesn't get a ton of action on it tho...
Some groups are more active than others:
http://www.phoenixswords.com/links.html#faire (http://www.phoenixswords.com/links.html#faire)