I've been trying to gather information on the many informal "get togethers" being announced in various threads in the TRF section. So many invitations and opportunities! However, it's been a real pain in the ___ trying to find them all :o
So, I thought it might be nice to keep a running list of open-invitation get togethers that clans or groups are planning. I'll start by posting the dates and the ones I know of that have been made public here on the TRF forum. Please feel free to reply with information about your party, with a date and a campground map location (see the camping thread for the grid map). I'll update the first post as you reply with info.
In addition to the name of the group, time and place, you might want to add info in your post which will help folks decide if your get together is for them. Info such as -
*Purpose
*Target group (if there is one, such as "adults only", kid-friendly, other clans, garbed only, etc)
*Dress (Garb, mundane, "anything goes")
*BYOB, or spirits available
*Activities - Drum circle, dancing, singing, cookout, meet and greet, etc.
* Anything we can bring to throw into the mix (talents, entertainment, food/spirits, etc.)
I'll admit it - I'm a "where's the party!?!" type 'o gal, and I don't want to miss a thing! So, let folks know what's happening in your neck of the woods.
PARTIES AND CELEBRATIONS LIST
Week 1 - October 11 - 12 Oktoberfest
Note that the benefit potluck dinner for the Society for Prevention of Cruilty to Fairies (SPCF) on Saturday is cancelled.
- Loki Challenge! - 9pm-ish, hosted by Drunken Gnomes around row 3A
- Third Annual Opening Celebration - 9pm-ish, hosted by the Cult of the Green Flame, H and G 25-26
Link to Invitaiton Thread - http://www.renaissancefestival.com/forums/index.php?topic=2968.0
Week 2 - October 18 - 19 1001 Dreams
Wherever Macintyre is (see below)
Week 3 - October 25 - 26 All Hallow's Eve
Wherever Macintyre is (see below)
Week 4 - November 1 - 2 Pirate Adventure
MollyGrue's Tobacco Enthusiasts "smoke-in" and fellowship - Around row 8 - see below
Wherever Macintyre is (see below)
Week 5 - November 8 - 9 Roman Bacchanal
Wherever Macintyre is (see below)
Week 6 - November 15 - 16 Highland Fling
Wherever Macintyre is (see below)
Week 7 - November 22 - 23 Barbarian Invasion
Wherever Macintyre is (see below)
Week 8 - November 28 - 30 Celtic Christmas
- Thanksgiving dinner Thursday evening at McLotofus
Wherever Macintyre is (see below)
My fiancee, myself, and group of about eight(number subject to change) other rennies (all novices at Ren Fest camping) will be out during the Pirate Weekend, and should be arriving that Saturday morning. Though I have no idea where we'll be, I think we'll try to shoot for a location near the McLotofuses (Row 8, I believe) or somewhere in the family section. We'll be distinguished by our largest tent sporting a tapestry depicting a celtic green dragon, so I don't think we'll be hard to miss. We'll probably be around the area later Saturday evening sitting around smoking pipes. We'd love to meet some of you wonderful people, so the invitation is open to come over and introduce yourself, hang out, whatever. We'll probably share some grub with you as well, if we have some cooking.
No alcohol I'm afraid, as we're all between the ages of 19-20.
If you see us around, stop on by for a while.
all i know is, where ever i am there's always a party!!!
Why bother listing them??? Just start wandering from Row 0 and hit as many as you possibly can. ;)
That is my plan for closing weekend...
I LOVE the idea of listing them personally!! I can never remember when random people come up to me throughout the day at fair and say "hey stop by row blah blah blah at blah blah blah time and party with us"... Plus, I have friends from out of town coming and we may not end up camping next to each other so it's good to have somewhere to meet in the evenings!! Keep the list going and I will be there with my gang.
I just go on "walk about" - I'll be where I need to be, when I need to get there... ;)
I'm in the "walk about" crowd as well
We start early, go from camp to camp and eventually stagger back into gnomeland
*Lots easier to get free rum if you do it that way too...*
Quote from: x0x_teach_x0x on October 07, 2008, 10:58:33 AM
I'm in the "walk about" crowd as well
We start early, go from camp to camp and eventually stagger back into gnomeland
*Lots easier to get free rum if you do it that way too...*
Hey Teach, will you be tenting it, or going for the RV luxury this year?
I'll be marking the Gnome area Thursday afternoon and need some idea of what size areas people need.
No RV yet... but soon... as soon as possible
That graduating kid kinda sucked away my extra cash last year lol
If you remember that big tent i have from last year, my new one is a similar size. plus shower tent and the scion will be the space I need (technically the car can be across the road if space is needed but I like to keep it near the tent when possible)
*and some rum space... gotta have room for that lol*
I love the idea of going on a "walkabout". But for those of us who don't know everybody and who have not camped often (or ever), I'm a little intimidated by just walking up to a group or camp and saying "Howdy!".
Knowing that clans or groups are open and enjoy getting visitors is helpful. And again, not being a regular I have no idea where the regular campsites for known groups are. I find it less intimidating to know a little in advance :)
I have a friend who camped for the first time last year. She had a little bit to drink and decided to do the walkabout thing, walking up to a strange group around a campfire to say "Howdy!".
She was subsequently gang-raped and held hostage for the entire weekend, bound up inside their "period-style" tent, and only brought out gagged and trussed for the late night deviant entertainment of the unwashed, garbed and misogynistic horde.
Quote from: ladylyn on October 07, 2008, 04:31:37 PM
She was subsequently gang-raped and held hostage for the entire weekend, bound up inside their "period-style" tent, and only brought out gagged and trussed for the late night deviant entertainment of the unwashed, garbed and misogynistic horde.
OK...
That last part was a "wee bit 'O exageration". In actuality, she walked up and said "howdy!", and they welcomed her and fed her Loki until she was very tipsy and giggly. Then the 65 year old patron of the clan hit on her a little (with a smile), which made her giggle more because she's only 28.
She plans on going back again this year...
Sorry for the double post, but thought some clarification might be needed... ;D
You are too funny Ladylyn
Quote from: ladylyn on October 07, 2008, 04:31:37 PMI love the idea of going on a "walkabout". But for those of us who don't know everybody and who have not camped often (or ever), I'm a little intimidated by just walking up to a group or camp and saying "Howdy!".
I totally agree with this. M'lady and I want to meet fun people in the camping area, but it's sometimes awkward to just plop in on another groups goings on and try to mix-and-mingle.
Anyone, please come visit us up near the treeline where the "new" road was put in before last season. We're a couple of the few black campers (we think - well, the few part, not the us being black part,) but totally cool and rennies nonetheless! :P
Quote from: ladylyn on October 07, 2008, 04:31:37 PMI have a friend who camped for the first time last year. She had a little bit to drink and decided to do the walkabout thing, walking up to a strange group around a campfire to say "Howdy!".
She was subsequently gang-raped and held hostage for the entire weekend, bound up inside their "period-style" tent, and only brought out gagged and trussed for the late night deviant entertainment of the unwashed, garbed and misogynistic horde.
Yikes! That's quite the ghastly and fanciful story m'lady.
*Purpose Opening Weekend Celebration
*Target group Anyone. We require ID for the free drinks, or know us or get to know us real well and look like an adult (kids can come as there should be fireplay etc, but it is an adult environment)
*Dress anything goes
*Alcohol will be in attendance (40 gallons) and loki for sampling
*Activities - Drum circle, dancing, fireplay, couple of contests
* Anything we can bring to throw into the mix (talents, entertainment, food/spirits, etc.) ANYTHING!!
I'm waiting to meeting Dragon, and then following him around as we terrorize the community...
i'll be mostly at row 8 with my fellow clansmen from Mclotufus, but i always head out to the main fire for a little fun too, but walking around is always a good way to have fun and or get into trouble ;)
Quote from: Ethan Northforest on October 07, 2008, 05:15:51 PM
Quote from: ladylyn on October 07, 2008, 04:31:37 PMI love the idea of going on a "walkabout". But for those of us who don't know everybody and who have not camped often (or ever), I'm a little intimidated by just walking up to a group or camp and saying "Howdy!".
I totally agree with this. M'lady and I want to meet fun people in the camping area, but it's sometimes awkward to just plop in on another groups goings on and try to mix-and-mingle.
Anyone, please come visit us up near the treeline where the "new" road was put in before last season. We're a couple of the few black campers (we think - well, the few part, not the us being black part,) but totally cool and rennies nonetheless! :P
Quote from: ladylyn on October 07, 2008, 04:31:37 PMI have a friend who camped for the first time last year. She had a little bit to drink and decided to do the walkabout thing, walking up to a strange group around a campfire to say "Howdy!".
She was subsequently gang-raped and held hostage for the entire weekend, bound up inside their "period-style" tent, and only brought out gagged and trussed for the late night deviant entertainment of the unwashed, garbed and misogynistic horde.
Yikes! That's quite the ghastly and fanciful story m'lady.
HEY!!!! MY NEGRO BRETHREN HAVE COME TO CLAIM ME!!!!!!!
The best way to meet people though is the "walk about", but if you aren't out going or you're alone, I can understand how intimidating it is. Most true rennies are extremely friendly and inviting though, which will be the easiest way to weed out the "crazy weekend campers" from the "true rennies". TRF has turned into the "cool" place to go in the area up there and so we've ended up with randoms and annoying mundanes about.... Back when I first started going, which was really only 5 seasons ago, you could leave all your valuables in your tent and your car door unlocked without the slightest problem. Also, the big bonfire was "the place to be" and only rennies were there along with tons of drummers and belly dancers. Now it's the "place not to be" cause all the mundanes and people NOT actually camping congregate there. Which means you have to walk about and try to find the drummers and belly dancers and alcohol now... so sad!
Quote from: blue66669 on October 08, 2008, 08:42:36 AM
Quote from: Ethan Northforest on October 07, 2008, 05:15:51 PM
Quote from: ladylyn on October 07, 2008, 04:31:37 PMI love the idea of going on a "walkabout". But for those of us who don't know everybody and who have not camped often (or ever), I'm a little intimidated by just walking up to a group or camp and saying "Howdy!".
I totally agree with this. M'lady and I want to meet fun people in the camping area, but it's sometimes awkward to just plop in on another groups goings on and try to mix-and-mingle.
Anyone, please come visit us up near the treeline where the "new" road was put in before last season. We're a couple of the few black campers (we think - well, the few part, not the us being black part,) but totally cool and rennies nonetheless! :P
Quote from: ladylyn on October 07, 2008, 04:31:37 PMI have a friend who camped for the first time last year. She had a little bit to drink and decided to do the walkabout thing, walking up to a strange group around a campfire to say "Howdy!".
She was subsequently gang-raped and held hostage for the entire weekend, bound up inside their "period-style" tent, and only brought out gagged and trussed for the late night deviant entertainment of the unwashed, garbed and misogynistic horde.
Yikes! That's quite the ghastly and fanciful story m'lady.
HEY!!!! MY NEGRO BRETHREN HAVE COME TO CLAIM ME!!!!!!!
Awesome. :)
Quote from: LadyElizabeth on October 08, 2008, 10:03:39 AM
The best way to meet people though is the "walk about", but if you aren't out going or you're alone, I can understand how intimidating it is. Most true rennies are extremely friendly and inviting though, which will be the easiest way to weed out the "crazy weekend campers" from the "true rennies". TRF has turned into the "cool" place to go in the area up there and so we've ended up with randoms and annoying mundanes about.... Back when I first started going, which was really only 5 seasons ago, you could leave all your valuables in your tent and your car door unlocked without the slightest problem. Also, the big bonfire was "the place to be" and only rennies were there along with tons of drummers and belly dancers. Now it's the "place not to be" cause all the mundanes and people NOT actually camping congregate there. Which means you have to walk about and try to find the drummers and belly dancers and alcohol now... so sad!
This year will be our third year at TRF and I remember our first year there, although we didn't camp, visiting the main bonfire for a bit after closing was great. Fun people, drumming, belly dancing, and fire acts, but the second year was like "Wow, this is nothing like it was last year." It became mundane meat fest and pretty disappointing - almost like an outdoor frat party.
I can only imagine how great it was before we started going.
We'll be sure to visit more and try to find rennies like us this year! Can't wait to see and meet many of you this weekend.
I wonder if there is any way to get permission to do a bonfire and gathering someplace else in the campground, maybe somewhere out of the immediate traffic area. the space along the Green Flames requested area would be great! Hidden by the trees, surrounded by good clans, etc.
We have gone to the bonfire for several years, and love the concept...
Last year though, it seemed all a bunch of 20 yeal old mundanes, asking "where are the belly dancers!?! We want the belly dancers!?!" and throwing their beer cans around. Pfffft....
How great would it be to be away from the traffic, with a roaring fire, drummers drumming, dancers dancing, good friends with good stories, and LOTS of Loki and meade... sigh...
What would it take to get permission to build a fire pit for a bonfire, or even a big campfire, along the back? Maybe we could just push together a bunch of the portable fire pits and forego the permission :)
By the way, THANKS, SCOUTCOLT for the info on your shindig! It sound like fun, and maybe I won't be scared to show up and join in! I'm very shy, as you can see...
:-*
Honestly... I think it has gotten to the point that the powers that be may end up putting an end to the bonfire
It's sad to think it, but if they continue causing trouble that may happen just to protect themselves from lawsuits
sigh...
*at least I still gots me rum*
All this is going to take is for the rennies. The REAL rennies (not the local yokels) to join up together and take back our bonfire. There must be a show of 'force' to show those idiots that we are there, and that is OUR home, not theirs. That is OUR fire, and bring back our dancers, drummers, fire breathers, and turn it around again.
You know, I'd be ALL there for the rennies showing up IN FORCE to the bonfire again!!!! It would take at least 30 burly men and 20 extras to really make the numbers weigh out.... There are some really HUGE idiots there who are rude and obnoxious. I absolutely adore belly dancing around the fire to the drums, but when people are awful like they were last year, I just won't do it! They don't give us room, they yell and taunt, and then they tried to put $ in my clothing!!!! It was beyond fabulous just 5 years ago and I really believe we can make it that again if we band together and try! If it doesn't change back to its original purpose of a RENNIE hang out, then they might as well just get rid of it!!
DOOOD! Take the money and RUN!!!
Quote from: blue66669 on October 09, 2008, 09:18:21 AM
DOOOD! Take the money and RUN!!!
Great, now that song is gonna be in my head ALL day long...
But yes, I agree with Dragon, you show up en mass and "highly suggest" they act right or leave
It just made me feel trashy... I'm totally down for free alcohol, but getting $ put in clothes While dancing rings too close to home... I am dancing for ME and for FUN and cause I love it, and yet I know it's sexy, but I'm not doing it for $ or for stupid adolescent boys!!!
I'm in for a Rennie revolution. Let's take it back, and get the bums outta there!
Isn't trying to find a party at the campground kinda like using a flashlight is broad daylight?
*ducks*
I too lament the downward slide and demise of the drunk jam...I mean drum circle.
Even about 4 years ago it was getting stooopid sloppy.
Some of the drummers from the belly dance show came out to play and even though they were tearing it up, the mob just thrashed along clueless and oblivious.
The badass drummers finally gave up, left and went back inside, when it could have been a fine groove.
If ya wanna play, you first have to be able to listen.
The lizard brain of the mob works thusly:
Noise=Fun
therefore
More Noise=Funner
Not sure what the solution is other than smaller intimate circles at different camps.
One night we had some luck taking back the circle for a bit by creating a decoy drum circle to clear things out.
Some of the more stalwart drummers from Brigadoon & Valhalla moved about a 100 feet from the fire and threw down some beats.
When the zombies shambled and congregated, we slipped out and went back to the big fire for a more orderly bit of drumming & dancing.
It was a brilliant plan and amazed us by working like a charm.
Of course it was already late and the mob was smaller and easy to screw with.
It was like decoy bacon for Sunday breakfast.('fakin bacon)
Dogs don't know it's not bacon!
Good times.
/T-minus 46 hours 15 minutes
I think the key would also be rennies in big numbers. if we made a speech of some sort when things got rowdy. like "This is our fair, you are here as guests at our event, you either behave as civilized rennies do or you leave. This will be enforced by all the real rennies leaving if you do not behave and we will make sure to have this bonfire being completely disbanded by next year by petition to fair owners! And or we'll call the cops on the youngsters drinking OR we'll ask the fair security to go around asking for show of tickets to TRF which is part of the "requirement" to be camping."
You never know, it might work, or it might flop and we end up again doing a walk about!
Maybe we could all pick a standing time each night to show up in force and take control for a few hours. Like ok, we're setting up, move back, let the performer in etc.
That sounds pretty good. I think opening weekend won't work too well since there are so many parties going on and people won't want to be at the bonfire much... But I'll start chatting with people this weekend about plans of action and who would support a bonfire takeover. I'm just so sick of every night trying to find somewhere with dancers AND drummers AND friends AND alcohol... it seems you can always find one or two of these, but never all 4 together!
You know last year. I went to a couple of the raver camps. And just stuck my nose in there business. I like electronic music but not at 3 am. So I started bugging them, and I over heard a few of em say "I think this dude is a cop" or something close to it. I get this a lot of the time at other types of outdoor fests. After a while most of them would walk over to the music and turn down the volume, still loud but they were nervous about me being around. I was asking them a bunch of stupid questions like where there from. What their names how old are you guys. Genuinely interested but being to old for the crowd I made them nervous. I was never rude or mean to em. But the boom boom boom chigga boom boom ruins alot of what I like about camping at faire.
rope the area off and have bouncers charge $50 admission for each non rennie, WITH proof of purchase of faire/camp tickets???? :o ;D :o the admission could cover bouncer fees, lol ;D
Quote from: ladylyn on October 09, 2008, 03:23:40 PM
Quote from: LadyElizabeth on October 09, 2008, 10:26:05 AM
It just made me feel trashy... I'm totally down for free alcohol, but getting $ put in clothes While dancing rings too close to home... I am dancing for ME and for FUN and cause I love it, and yet I know it's sexy, but I'm not doing it for $ or for stupid adolescent boys!!!
Ha! Similar experience here! I was trying to enjoy the groove, enjoying the last of the meade, dancing (a little) in the heat of the bonfire. Eyes closed, I hear some kid yell "Take it off!!!" Whoo!!", and then picked up by others.
I think to myself, eyes closed, "Great. Juest we we need, an amateur strip show by some wasted college girls...". Unable to resist, I opened my eyes to take in the debacle.
Much to my shame, I see 5 or 6 trashy looking kids staring at...ME! They see me looking, and the same voice takes up the call again, "Whoo! Take it off, baby!!!" And he starts "belly dancing" his way over.
Thus endeth the bonfire visits for us that season.
Ladylyn maybe he should have been thrown in the fire then you could yell the same thing to him snd see what his reaction would be lol :D
I think these retards give TRF it's bad camping name of scandal and vandalism. We had no vandals till these punks and kids started showing up that were locals, and now they're around we have lots of vandalism and lots of rude jeering. I wonder if there's a way for one of the bigger grounds to surround the bonfire with their tents and kind of "take over" the area for their own, there by having authority to kick out anyone who is not behaving?? Then we could charge 50$ for non-rennies...
Another idea to prove you're a rennie is to wear or bring along part of your garb to the bonfire there by "proving" you're a rennie. I always wear my gypsy garb, but I know there are people who like mundane clothes at night... so they could just wear their leather belt or a tail or their fair shoes...
I think if they were to wear just one small (not horribly expensive) peice of garb then any one could have someone buy them something or get one from a friend (such as tails). It would need to be like a Mug or their corset or something to show.
Hm...
What about if you vouch for someone, or ask who do you know, what Rennies do you know... Or who do you camp with.
State any of the large camps or any of the well known Rennies. The real Rennies would easily be able to name at least 5 fellow Rennies by their fair names. I am sure most of us could name over a few hundred. LOL
Oooo mayhaps a list at the gate, you name what camp you are with! If you can not name one, then sorry no entry!!!
Those are all great ideas!! Now how to implement them... and would camping management allow it? I suppose that's why the big camps have their own parties, but honestly that's not as good as the bonfire cause you get hte warm of the fire and a CENTRAl place to congregate and the added light of the fire to dance around, which rocks!
I kinda like Yrose's suggestion, just make a plan to all arrive at a certain time, maybe stand hand in hand and make a big circle/performance area or have a rope to go around the circle so that people can still see what is going on and have someone about every 3 to 4 foot apart, holding the rope of course. Have a couple of sets of you big stapping men to bounce anyone that tried to get past the rope. Let the police know what we are doing so that if a scuffle happens they can escort them out or away from the area, as we are really just trying to make it a safer area for the performers. After a few hours they will go away I would think. I know I do not stay at the fire for hours, but know there are those that do....maybe switch out every hour or so taking your stand at rope watch.
Honestly they need to start having people show their tickets again. It was when they stopped doing that that the campgrounds started going downhill. You had to have a ticket for everyone in the car not just the driver or you had to pay full price for it at the campgrounds gate. I would still pay for camping and show my ticket just to get in if that's what it'll take to keep the idiot danes out.
QuoteWhat about if you vouch for someone, or ask who do you know, what Rennies do you know... Or who do you camp with.
That wouldn't work. I've camped out there for years now, and I've never really met anyone, because for the most part we just chill at our campsite, aside from the occasional walkabout and trip to the drum circle. We're not 'bad' people, we're just shy :P
Well, you're on here Chandler, so that makes you cool and a rennie. You could simply say that to the "bouncer" that you're on the R/F forums and your name is Chandler. even knowing what the R/F forums is means your a rennie!!
*sigh* there are so many ideas, but if only we could actually do this. I wonder if we can make it work... I wonder if we could all agree on something or actually have King George make a change for the better.
When I arrived Thursday I was asked for my ticket, when I explained that I would be picking up my ticket from fellow campers, my money was taken and I was given a camping pass.
I told the officer how happy I was that they were asking for tickets again, and that they would have all the backing they could want from the legitimate campers.
We saw how well they followed through.