I know the new year is not even here yet but with my wifes company doling out vacation time at the rate of so many hours every payday, we have to plan way ahead as to what faires we attend and when. So we are planing on attending the Pittsburg faire on one of the days of labor day weekend, most likely Sunday/Monday. How are the vendors, shops, and food. These are our main interests. We have seen most of the acts or variations there-of. Also who is jousting in the coming year????If that is unknown then who jousted in 2008.?????
Blakduke, the jousters are from Noble Cause Productions.
http://www.noblecauseproductions.com
I'm not sure what your question is when you ask "How are the vendors, shops, and food." I'm biased, of course, but I think our vendors are absolutely wonderful. We have a good mix of nationally-known vendors and local vendors with unique items. If you're interested in something specific please explain and I'll try to help you out.
What you haven't seen, that you'll enjoy very much, is one of the best street casts ever. I dare say you could spend your entire visit being caught up in the lives of the people of Morelandshire as they deal with the disruption of Their Majesties' visit. You're in for a good time.
Oh, and there's an "h" in Pittsburgh.
Sorry about the "H". What you described is what I was looking for. As I said my wife and I do not usually go to the stage shows as we have seen most all of them in their various interrpretations. We tend more toward shopping, I for weapons/garb and she for jewelry/garb. Interacting with street characters is also of a prime fun time with us, also interacting with patrons. We will keep ourselves in readiness and strive greatly to make sure we make this festival. Th only thing to interfere is if the vacation plans have to change dates.
Blakduke - The shopping at PRF has changed the first two years under the new ownership/management. While we have lost some good vendors, we've gained other good ones. I am sure your lady will have no hard time finding shiny sparkly trinkets that please her. Lord knows Morwyn, April and I find much to buy each year!
As far as weapons, I shall look for DuCouer to speak up as this is more his passion. Garb - a decent selection. Keep in mind ours is a small faire. For comparison, we are about a 1/3 of the size as GLMF (I think, I'm not good with math). So the selection of vendors is smaller based on size alone.
The entertainment has also changed in the first two years under new mgt. We've retained and attracted several street performers, however most of the stage acts are "new" compared to the previous ownership. Cast in Bronze is a big attraction. If you tend to spend most of your time wandering, shopping and visiting the pub, you'll be quite pleased with PRF. The main Pirates pub hosts an array of regular rennies who are always delighted to welcome visitors into the fold. Mayhap you've already met a few!
Let us know when you and your lady are coming and we shall welcome thee warmly!
Quote from: Scarlett on December 30, 2008, 01:15:29 PM
If you tend to spend most of your time wandering, shopping and visiting the pub, you'll be quite pleased with PRF.
.....hmmm...in the words of Craig Ferguson....."remind you of anyone?" ;D
Yes...Scarlett is correct on the shopping...we always manage to find those 'shiny' items we just have to have.....it is a small faire, but so much fun to wander about...however..be warned...if it is a sunny day, have your lady bring a parasol for the upper Sahara....it tends to get hot while shopping!
I did want to mention that Labor Day weekend is Rendevous at MDRF so you may find a lot of the regulars absent that weekend...but please let us know your plans....we love to welcome everyone at early morning tailgate!!
Since Maryland has a strict no weapons policy, it will not see me. Besides we like to do smaller faires anyway. They are so much more sociable and friendly. What has been described sounds like it is right up our alleyway. We have to go past PittsburgH(got the H this time) anyway to get to our destination, so that will be the plan for now. Now watch some stupis SOB screw it up.
BD I am so sorry that I will miss you When you visit Moreland shire. Alas, having missed every Rendevous since it's inception, and MDRF being relatively close I will be attending (Yes the No weapons policy stinks but....).
Ok so Weapon Vendors....hmmm. Well LaForge makes rustic, heavy "Battle Ready"swords. Not very pretty but would get the Job done...and they carry a few Fantasy, and Stainless "toy" items as well. There is another Weapons Vendor also in the Seregetti (The nickname for the hot, arid upper level of Moreland shire), yet the name escapes. He carries a few Windlass pieces, as well as a few Fantasy items as well.
I think, since PRF has only allowed Weapons the past two years (A plus to the new management) that perhaps we shall an expansion of weapons vendors.
Hope it helps. The Bar Maiden (Meredith) is the best, and for some Great Well made Clothes and great conversation with an amazing lady visit Pleasanly Peasant...Tell them You Know us (DuCoeur, Scarlet and Morwyn) and you will be treated like royalty....HA.
Pittsburgh'ers tend to be cliquey at first, so you may have to approach them. Tell them who you are and they will welcome you warmly....
I don't think anyone answered your question about jousting. In 2008 it was Noble Cause Productions.
Yes, we (Noble Cause Productions) have been jousting at the New Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival and will be returning for the 2009 season. We look forward to seeing everyone again this year.
Huzzah, It will be great to see you guys again this year.
Da Mayor
Quote from: Bryan Beard on January 12, 2009, 07:30:27 PM
Yes, we (Noble Cause Productions) have been jousting at the New Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival and will be returning for the 2009 season. We look forward to seeing everyone again this year.
Bryan and the rest of the Causers, we are blessed to have such an accomplished company of Knights and Knaves at our faire. There should be a collective term for that. How about a "Knot of Knights". There, 'tis done.
All the best to crew and stable.
Quote from: Bryan Beard on January 12, 2009, 07:30:27 PM
Yes, we (Noble Cause Productions) have been jousting at the New Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival and will be returning for the 2009 season. We look forward to seeing everyone again this year.
Oh good news indeed! (OOps, I think I slipped into character there. Sorry.)
Blakduke, you will definitely enjoy the knights of Noble Cause Productions. I've seen several jousting groups and the knights of Noble Cause are, by far, the most consistently entertaining.
And I'm not just saying that because Sir William might be listening. :-[
Quote from: Bryan Beard on January 12, 2009, 07:30:27 PM
Yes, we (Noble Cause Productions) have been jousting at the New Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival and will be returning for the 2009 season. We look forward to seeing everyone again this year.
Oh! Is Mamie coming also? I am glad you are all coming back!
Skritches from me to the horses.
Jan
Quote from: Professor M on January 13, 2009, 11:27:11 AM
Quote from: Bryan Beard on January 12, 2009, 07:30:27 PM
Yes, we (Noble Cause Productions) have been jousting at the New Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival and will be returning for the 2009 season. We look forward to seeing everyone again this year.
Oh good news indeed! (OOps, I think I slipped into character there. Sorry.)
Blakduke, you will definitely enjoy the knights of Noble Cause Productions. I've seen several jousting groups and the knights of Noble Cause are, by far, the most consistently entertaining.
And I'm not just saying that because Sir William might be listening. :-[
And there-in my friend lies the stuff of many a pub arguement and many an ale drunk to settle bets. I will hold my opinion until I see them for as yet I have not, but I work with Knights of Valor at a number of faires. I will say not more on it at this time.
PRF is a nice little fair on two levels. Most of the vendors are great, some are less interactive than others.
It is NOT paved or level in much the same way O ren is not paved...but there are some very steep hills and it gets quite dangerous in spots if it rains.
take care, and wear proper footgear.
it is by no means Penn Ren or anything like...so dont expect a huge castle welcome.
PRF has absolutely the best street cast I have ever seen. I regularly visit 6 or 7 festivals and NO ONE has the interaction in the street that you see in Pittsburgh!!!
Finale in song is at the "pirate pub" in the lower circle...a Pittsburgh tradition - I hope we will be able to maintain in 09 and beyond...it's an absolute must to end out the day at PRF!!
Catch a joust if you can bear the heat...but be sure to check out all the other stages because there are some really great little shows!!!
If you need to beat the heat...come on down to Maximum Glitter and get some ren herpies and a gator aid. I have shade and chairs....and libation for all those who need it.
Blakduke, I know you will enjoy this festival. Even tho I have not had the chance to visit since the "changes" have occurred. The cast that I have played with, and guest are great fun!
Quote from: Syrilla on February 18, 2009, 09:54:20 AM
Blakduke, I know you will enjoy this festival. Even tho I have not had the chance to visit since the "changes" have occurred. The cast that I have played with, and guest are great fun!
Aw shucks, ma'am. You flatter us.
I hope you have the opportunity to join us again someday soon. We miss you.
So far so good. Even though our vacation maybe only 1 week instead of 2, PRF is still on the way so it would be foolish to pass it by. We have made other alterations to accomodate it. I have done some mapquest searching and as of now the closest campground is the KOA on Waltz Mill Road about 2 exits/3 miles up the expressway. the others that mapquest brought up are either 20/40 miles away. Any other campground close by that mapquest did not pick up that be less exspensive??? Really looking forward to this excursion.
Things are beginning to pile up and I may have to make some changes and/or alterations in plans. Question. It has been stated that this is a small faire. With that how long would it take to completely circumnavigate the faire 1 time. Taking into consideration taking in no shows but just shopping and maybe a lunch break for food and drink.
I would suggest to give yourself at least 3 hours to really get around visit the shops get some food and what not. This may be a bit much time for you, but probably safer to give yourself more time than less.
Quote from: kilted one on March 20, 2009, 11:02:31 AM
I would suggest to give yourself at least 3 hours to really get around visit the shops get some food and what not. This may be a bit much time for you, but probably safer to give yourself more time than less.
I would not question the wisdom of the town's mayor. 3 hours sounds right.
When I used to give tours, they took about an hour. That was without shopping, but with a lot of stops for telling anecdotes. Add the shopping and the meals, and a few minutes to see if the guy lying in the road is still alive (that's Kip - he does that), and it's going to take 3 hours easy.
But you should really spend the day. You'll miss so much if you don't. I'm biased, but I think our cast interaction is the best anywhere. So stay and chat awhile.
M'lord
A lot will depend on things that I cannot foretell. We have friends coming down from Minnesota to spend the day and if they can make it(vacation time off, having a job, you know those unimportant things), than it shall be a full day. We are on a weeks vacation ourselves and My daughter lives in Rochester NY and I have a friend to visit in Albany. If I have to go to Albany then leaving early on Saturday(2 - 3 PM) makes the best use of the limited time that I have. However long or short I do look forward to my visit to your shire.
Quote from: BLAKDUKE on March 23, 2009, 11:26:59 AM
However long or short I do look forward to my visit to your shire.
Well we most certainly look forward to greeting you in our happy little corner of the world.
Hola all, it's me again seeking some info.
I just viewed the photo spread from last year. In one I noticed a sign about the ratcatcher.
Question who is the ratcatcher, is it Jim Greene?? If so then my next question is moot,
if not then will the shire ratcatcher engage in any rat-pucking???????
Question: does the shire have, by any chance, a fencing corral where in someone could engage in a bit of sport, if the joints in the body are willing??????
We have a rat catcher?!
Over the years, there have been several different people cast as "Ratcatcher". It seems to be part of the formula for a "Renaissance Festival". Steve Chandler was cast as the Ratcatcher last year but only for part of the season.
This year's cast has not been called together yet so who knows.
The sign that Blakduke saw has been hanging in that area for many years.
It would be a suggestion for the ED and/or the Artistic Director.
Well then, in that case we may NOT hold a tournament, but if any one has a pucking rat and pucking stick we may practice.
Terry any word on the fencng corral.
Would that I were in a position to answer for the Powers That Be.
Like I said, a good suggestion for the ED and AD.
My memory is a bit fuzzy, as all of the past years seem to blur together, but we did, at one time, have a fencing area. The combatants wore suits that incorporated 3 balloons. The first to burst the other's balloons was declared winner. Hmmm...the more I think of it, the more certain I am that this happened years ago, and the space is no longer available.
We don't have rat pucking in Morelandshire. It seems immensely popular at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire in Ohio, but I'm not aware of many enthusiastic "puckers" in our area.
Oh Well M'Lady and I will have to satisfy ourselves with shopping and drinking at the pub. A most admirable substitute WOT??l
I remember the fencing area. It was over near the jousting field. I rarely made it up to the sahara last summer, so I'm not sure whether or not it's still there.
I've been curious about rat pucking, and would like to see how it's done and perhaps give it a go...but I believe I will be away on Labor Day weekend.
Perhaps someone could show me where to locate it at GLMF?
Quote from: anne of oaktower on April 02, 2009, 10:06:25 PM
I remember the fencing area. It was over near the jousting field. I rarely made it up to the sahara last summer, so I'm not sure whether or not it's still there.
I've been curious about rat pucking, and would like to see how it's done and perhaps give it a go...but I believe I will be away on Labor Day weekend.
Perhaps someone could show me where to locate it at GLMF?
Check with Trevor on the GLMF board. He's the go to man for that fair. He also has his own forum/board and I believe rat pucking is a permanent topic. Personally, I never saw a rat puck. Not close enough to the pub.
I can't wait for the season to start up there!!!!!
as far as jousters go.....YEAY MITRI AND MATT!!!!!!!