Try to include how many faires you do (or maybe how many weekends) per year.
Now that my character is pretty set in terms of garb, I dont spend too much on stuff that I need, just stuff I want. But in the heyday of building up my garb and equipment, along with aquiring various camping supplies, I probably spent $500/year on faire. Though I guess if I throw in gas, food and the occational hotel, it could be higher. I probably go to 2 or 3 faires per year (though there are enough faires in this states to do 20 faires a year) so I dont think that's too much money.
Please don't make me examine my conscience on this one. I'm guessing about $800 (more?) per year for local fair - TRF; plus maybe $5-6 hundred for a Scarby weekend, inc hotel, gas, meals, admittance, etc.
Too much. Most of it is for travel expenses and lodging.
I think I use about $600 for one weekend at Carolina. That's meals, room, car, and some spending money. For performer tip money I put all my coin change in a jar through the year. A week or two before faire I take the jar to the bank and get gold dollar coins. Carolina performers, I'm up to forty bucks so far.
I try not to spend a lot at faire. I go to faire specifically having saved up for one item and have another $40 for food and trinkets. But on the other hand this year alone I spent over $500 on faire stuff. $250 on boots (Son of Sandlar - Amazing boots) and $274 on a Half-Moon cloak.
Yay!
I try not to take more than $40-50 of cash with me. I tend to spend about $20 for food, and I don't usually buy anything else while I'm at the faire. I put the entrance on my credit card, and this summer when I was going to Sterling, I had to get gas each time, too. So at least for each of my three times to Sterling, I was spending about $70.
Quote from: Lady Rebecca on November 04, 2009, 01:29:13 PM
I try not to take more than $40-50 of cash with me. I tend to spend about $20 for food, and I don't usually buy anything else while I'm at the faire. I put the entrance on my credit card, and this summer when I was going to Sterling, I had to get gas each time, too. So at least for each of my three times to Sterling, I was spending about $70.
You went to a faire with Pendragon as a merchant and only spent $70? That has to be a record! ;D
I have no idea what I spend on my local faire (MNRF) I usually go there with $20 or less, but I am a barkeep there so I get tips all day and don't keep much track of what I am spending. I typically only buy food though.have
I head to TRF in a week and I have $300 saved from my MNRF tips. This $300 has to stretch far. It needs to cover my share of gas for the 2,400 mile round trip and all my other expenses for 2 weekends at faire. Not only that, but I will need to eat during the week as well. This may not seem like much money, but I know I can do it, this is my 6th year going and only one time did I have more money.
More than I need to...........................
Quote from: will paisley on November 04, 2009, 01:51:21 PM
Quote from: Lady Rebecca on November 04, 2009, 01:29:13 PM
I try not to take more than $40-50 of cash with me. I tend to spend about $20 for food, and I don't usually buy anything else while I'm at the faire. I put the entrance on my credit card, and this summer when I was going to Sterling, I had to get gas each time, too. So at least for each of my three times to Sterling, I was spending about $70.
You went to a faire with Pendragon as a merchant and only spent $70? That has to be a record! ;D
I try not to look at anything I can't afford. Keeping away from the boot booth was difficult, and I was sorely tempted by the lovely hats in the shop by the entrance. But I had to tell myself no. I did, however, splurge on archery, so come to think of it, it was probably more like $75 per go.
I think , may be a couple grand. That's for two of us. :-\
Way too much.... But some of it will pay off -like good boots.
*shudder*
I dont even want to know!
I hate to say but you all seem moderate to me. Perhaps I'm trying to make up for my relative *newbie-ness* by throwing money at the thing, but in the past two years I have shelled out over a grand for two sets of garb each for me, my lovely wife and our two children, plus each time I go to faire in addition to admission, gas, lodging (sometimes), and major purchases which go on a card, I take $200-300 dollars in gold coins and by the end of the day, it's all gone.
I'm gonna guess my yearly expenditure hovers around $3000-$4000.
But I also love throwing money at the people who are trying to make a living at faire. I tip big at the taverns. I try to buy at least one CD each visit. Our girls always get one major treat- hair braiding, henna tattoos, elephant rides, face painting- and I wouldn't trade the looks on their faces for any amount of money.
Fiscally imprudent? Definitely. Regrets? None.
Love you all.
I am with Steev... If I have it I spend it at faire. I have worked the circuit and realize what the vendors and entertainers put into bringing us the grand time they show us. They deserve what ever business we can give them! Buying small tokens as gifts for my festival family is ALWAYS worth the look on their faces and things like car pooling, tail gating (so you can eat before you go in!) and discount tickets are how we visit so many festivals without breaking the budget.
Quote from: Charity Morgan on November 04, 2009, 10:25:27 PMthings like car pooling, tail gating (so you can eat before you go in!) and discount tickets are how we visit so many festivals without breaking the budget.
Don't get me wrong on money saving- I think it's great to tailgate, bring in food, sew one's own garb, etc. I spend countless hours embroidering over grommets, staining garb to make it look weathered, carving walking sticks, oiling leather...
I also like to contribute to the people who work the faires- Money makes these events happen and I don't ever want to see them go away!
Closing weekend MDRF my daughters (6 and 8) asked if they could have their hair braided. I said "yes" and they started to look through the style book. My wife started to tell them to choose from the less expensive styles and my youngest said "I'll just take the cheapest one." My wife and I had a brief exchange and then told the girls to get the style they wanted. 60 bucks later (including tips), the girls were shown their hair in two hand mirrors. I will remember their expressions until I die, and it set the tone for the rest of the day.
Some things are worth more than any amount of money.
Mine is definitely between $4,000 and $6,000 a year easily. This year a bit less due to the economy. This is for garb, Hotel, travel, food, going out, drink and helping the performers and everything else. Then I offset some of that for being paid not to bad to perform in many places. But, If I were to pick a specific number, probably $5,000
Lord Clisto, Duke of York
For me, all the fairs are out of state and I have drive there, and I'll do as many as 7 a year. I drop something, like 2500 to 3000 a year on fair. But I only go to ones that have camping, or a place to camp near by. Hotel and motels are nice but they cut to deep into my wallet.
$9,000.00 for the shop itself, then booth fees every year, so that's another 1,000.00 per year and next year they are going up higher than that. Plus, paint and upkeep.
Garb- I make as much as I can, but I don't work with leather or metal. 2 adults and 2 children
Gas- 45 miles one way x 16 days.
Food-try not to spend much on that
Portapottie-$200.00 a year
Building/painting furniture and display units-several hundred
Plants/flower boxes- $50.00 a year
Making/painting sign and 2 banners-lumber, fabric, thread, paint, glue, dowels, chains, hardware-several hundred
New flag I sewed-$50.00
Framing/Matboard/Foamcore/Glass/hardware-hundreds
Printing- hundreds
Orignal artwork-thousands
Purchases from other vendors-sometimes, if I have the money
If it is a faire I don't have a shop at and we just attend-well, that's much easier!
Gas
Tickets
Garb/accessories- we already have that
Food-usually one item per person
Vendor-might purchase something, $20.00 range
Im kinda with Steev on this one. I am a coupon cutting, wheeler dealer, but when I go to faire I try to patronize the vendors and actors. We cut out two weekends this year so we could afford to spend more on the weekends we do go. But I'll admit, its prolly more than we should
I didn't spend as much this year as I have in years past (just bought a pony so most of my disposable income is going that way) but I probably spent a couple hundred at MDRF (including food and a couple of shinies I let myself buy). Working in a booth part of the time, I didn't have to pay for my pass in, at least. :)
Wow...I can't say that I have ever spent that much any year I have attended faires...I have learned how to survive a full weekend at faire with $40, so this year when I had a little over $100 for opening Sunday at TRF, I was elated...I think the most I have ever spent in a trip to faire was when I had to purchase a bodice and that was about $80 for one at Heart's Delight...
Wow! I am shocked at the restraint that almost everyone is willing to show when they are attending faires! :o I have never been known for being able to tell myself no, so a day at TRF is very expensive for us (we usually go about 4 days a year, then once up to Scarborough).
Each day we (2 adults) go in with about $200 cash, this is after the price for tickets and gas. Plus I never go without a credit card to purchases (probably another $100 at least during the day). Cash goes to food, drink, performers, small purchases. And don't even get me started on the weeks my friends bring their little ones. I just can't say no to a child at ren fest... what they want they get from Auntie Brooke (I am pretty sure sucker is written on my head in child-visible ink). ;D
I just love to enjoy the shopping and shows and i guess tha comes through in $'s. I refuse to add all this up because I don't want to know! :P
Well my restraint comes from my income. I spend what I can afford to.
Well, not counting food and other perishables outside of the fairegrounds, this year I probably spent... I would say upwards of $1500. That is just at faire. Not counting gas for the commute (which is a pretty hefty haul when tallied up) for the two faires I went to. That, by the way, was going nearly every day of the season for both.
Typically, I try to stay within a budget of about $50 per day for food or drink. I always carry a little extra, though, in case the rare event of me "screwing up" during Finnegan's Wake *mock-glare in Pixie's direction*, or I find need to buy a rose... or several. That sort of thing. I'll also allot myself a few frivilous purchases (new limited number tankard/flagon/etc), and a stash for immediate need items (such as leather swashbuckling gauntlets I got on a very cold day) throughout the season.
When I travel to KHRF it usually costs at least $40 for my gas and my admission fee. This year I went seven times . . . and a couple of those days I did spend a decent amount of money. I know the opening weekend alone I spent over $200. And if I know I won't be back I like to give myself at least $100 for the day. So I'm going to guess (without adding all this up, of course) at least $500 - $600 for just one season.
Buying garb has it's own special fund called "tax time", lol.
eeeee. How much I don't want to think about, it looks like I'm being quite responsible.
gas to get to Mich. Ren Fest. ?$10.00 each weekend. Go maybe 4 wknds a season. (sometimes I get gas on way home, though)
entrance $19.00 : 2 of those were ' buy one-get one free (canned good donation) '. ticket just for me.
___my own costuming: thrift/rummage/sew myself: wench..pirate...etc, or civilian sometimes
pack my own food /drinks/ water/snacks in car or soft sided cooler (I haul it around, or go eat in car). $ 0 [considered part of my reg. grocery bill]
$8.00 for 6-pack of glass bottle Woodchuck cider as gift to friend; 1-2 bottles x 4 wknds-lasted all season. (grocery store)
assorted $$ given to tip buckets of my favorite acts. Some acts get $ for ...? 3 shows a day.
bought no C.D.'s or Dvd's this year: no $ for it. (in the past, I may have bought one cd per season)
bought no jewelry /clothes /art /mugs /booth games.
$5.00 for face painting., did that twice.
oops. did splurge on one leather belt-case: $30.00. supposedly, :-[ that money comes out of my profits (Colonial Peddler).
about $3.00 to various animal causes: they had dog-theme wknd in back pasture. dog/cat /animal rescue always!
bought no liquor . bought no ice cream (dang that diet !).
I was pretty good this year. Most times if I had $ in my pocket, it was still there when I left Fest
well, I guess $70.00 or so, for 4 days of Fest is not bad.
MiRF is the only faire I can afford to go to.
Quote from: brooke on November 05, 2009, 10:21:43 AM
I just can't say no to a child at ren fest... what they want they get from Auntie Brooke (I am pretty sure sucker is written on my head in child-visible ink). ;D
Brooke, My son needs to meet you...he will have you wrapped around his little finger...LOL
My restraint also comes from my financial state...I make little and what I do make goes to keep the renlet in diapers... :D
Wow,what a loaded question, forces you to be honest with yourself.
Well, when we go to our local faire, its only 25 minutes away from my apartment.
Season pass is $50 (this upcoming season it was my birthday present from the parents so not out of my pocket), I will say we will spend $50 the entire run on gas to and from faire.
So far in the last 12 months I would say I have spent probably close to $600 in garb related stuff for both of us, but its spread out $40 at joann's one weekend, $40 at tandy a month later, that kind of thing.
At faire, we usually stay to around $40 a day for the both of us on food and drink, kettle corn, turkey leg and brauts are our staple favorites.
We try to bring about $10 for tips to acts, its not much but its the best we can afford.
We will buy maybe a cd or two per season.
Our budgets are super tight so there is no spending on garb or anything else at faire.
We will go to BARF for one day of the run.
for that day
$25 for breakfast at Bob Evans on the way there.
$60 roundtrip on gas (4 hr drive each way)
$30 for food at faire
Gas and etc. Janesville WI - $100 Goodies - $50
Gas and hotel Siouxland SD - $300 Goodies - $300
Gas and hotel Bristol WI - $400 Goodies - $200 This is per weekend, so $600 times 9
Garb Bristol WI - $500 on clothes, $750 on boots
Glassware Bristol WI - $2000 approximately, maybe more
Gas and etc. Stronghold IL - $100 Goodies - $100
Garb Stronghold IL - $500 on partlets
Glassware Stronghold IL - $500
Total for the year $10,000 give or take a bit. Gas is high because I live in Minneapolis MN.
This does not count the $1000 or more I spend on fabric, trims, beads, pearls, gems that go into the garments I wear as a noble at Siouxland and/or playtron at other faires as a noble. Working wardrobe for Bristol and Stronghold is a few hundred dollars per year as the fabrics can be less rich and the ornamentation more subdued, seeing as I am a Merchant/middle class participant there.
No, I'm not rich, my house is paid for, I have no car payment and carry no credit card debt. I save up all year in anticipation of these expenses, and sock away all the proceeds from costuming work I do for other people to feed my habit.
Does this include all the money I do not remember spending? ;)
I go to 5 local faires that are all 1 weekend long (two of them are only 1 day). We are vendors at these so we don't pay for entrance fee.
I haven't worked since January of this year, so my budget for faire has been really small.
In total, I would say I spent about $140 this year.
All that I have, all that I have.
More but then less than one might think. We get a lot of holiday gifts at Faire & I don't really count those as 'money spent' because its money we would have spent any way, faire or not.
I have to agree with others though. We save what we can as far as discount tickets, parking lot picnics and other things but knowing what I know about garb & such, I'll spend the money on a bodice or a leather belt because I know its totally worth it. I do try, especially at Scarby where we're there almost every weekend, to spread out our purchases so we don't hit the last weekend & have to spend a ton of money. We usually end up spending more than we planned but at least we've made some purchases along the way.
Much, much more than I need to be spending. I don't even want to calculate... >>;
hmmm... this past trip:
Camping: $20
Food/Booze/Gas for Camp: ~ $100
Tix: 4 tix at $15 each: $60
Walking around Money:
Hubby: $200
Me: $60
Purchases: $100 (over walking around money)
So, yep, when everything is said and done, probably about $400-$500 per weekend... but, we did a long weekend, this time, and I got myself a pretty La Paloma hat...
Haven't finished putting together our startup budget, but well over $150,000 next year on our own faire. I work most of the other faires I go to, so lodging, food, and petrol for the vehicle are the only expenses there, since I already have my garb.
I can count on at least $100 each year for garbing, getting all new stuff for the kids, sometimes twice, then a little something for myself and/or my wife. We mainly hit fiares that are fairly close to home, so usually only lodging twice a year, but then a bunch on gas. There are gate prices, and then we can count on a $200 walk around budget at any faire. It doesn't always get spent there, but never makes it back into the bank. So this year, four fairs, probably $150 on gas, $150 on lodging, $100 on gate, $800 on spending cash, $150 on garb (had to get some new leather tools for kids' belts). So roughly $1350. Wow, hadn't realy thought about that. Better not tell the wife........
*editted for my terrible spelling
Spend money at faire? Well if I had it I probably would, but usually I can survive on $20.00 for food and or goodies.
Our local Faire is a one weekend event, is free to enter, and there isn't even a fence, so bringing food and drinks is the norm for many people. However, this year I made my first trips to out-of-state Faires, both Scarby for Memorial weekend, and TRF for All Hallow's weekend, and those were far more expensive than I would have suspected they'd be, and reading this thread has made me realize just how much I've spent on Faire this year, much to my amazement! I think I need to start making a Faire budget from now on, and really stick to it, if I want to continuing traveling to more (and more and more) Faires... :D
This year I spent a lot on faire compared to other years, though looking at others' amounts it is a lot less than some. Visiting faire 5 time (3 different faires), I spent about $350. Most was gas, tickets, and food. Mostly gas thanks to absent minded friends and a journey that should have taken 2.5hrs but took 5hrs.
My Laird and I have 7-8 faires we would attend in a normal year, but between the trip to Scotland we took in May (both local faires are that month) and the trip to Georgia to see a new grandchild, we only did 5. We probably spent about 2000$, mostly travel and lodging.
We probably attended more Celtic festivals and Games than renaissance faires this year (sucks cause we don't wear garb, but I'm trying to change that.)
Back to norm in 2010.
Hmmmmm......a lot.
Each weekend is typically about $30 for gas, $30-40 for admission depending on the faire, $30 for food and drink for the two of us, and then another $20 for trinkets. And that is if we don't buy any garb pieces, like his new boots or my new hat.
And not including all the new garb pieces we need...like a new bodice because mine is almost too big
We did TRF Highland wknd last week and spent close to $500 for 4 people. That's gas, camping, tickets, food, mementos, and tips. It was well worth it.
This year, per day, for 2 people. Attended TRF 10 days this year (and still didn't make it every weekend)
For the season
Food and non-alcoholic drinks and tips: $1,800 (we try to eat as many dead animals a day as possible)
Alcohol (we don't drink a lot, or very often): $250
Garb and accessories (for her): $580
Garb and accessories (for me): $950
Admission: $40 (we got several free tickets from friends, especially from Oni-con)
Gas (no camping, round trip = 100mi): $80
Other shopping: $500
Sound and Fury DVDs: $140
Total: $4,200
We don't have time or money for more faires - but mainly because we do a lot of anime conventions.
This was actually a lighter year than I was expecting (Mainly because none of my family expressed an interest in christmas gifts purchased at CRF)
So mainly it's a season pass, then a beer or two a day and tips over 12 days, and gas. 250, maybe?
We usually make Scarby at least once and TRF this year we made 3 times in the gate and visited camp. I'm always building garb and can't sew, that raises the cost for us. I would say this year we spent 1250.00. This includes travel, lodging, camping cost, entry, food and purchases. Last year would have been more because we went to Tennessee.
Too much, but yet, never enough.
1 How much time do you spend here on socale90?
2 How much time do you spend on other boards?
Answer 1: Im on here off and on during the work hours and at night. Cummulatively, Im probably here 3 hours a day.
Answer 2: e90post... Too addicting. I am on that 3-5 hours a day.
I need a life LOL... Someone recommend me a good DIY project so that my life doesnt wither away in cyberspace
LOL...
Not counting new and different garb.... usually about $250-$300 per season on tickets and FOF. Each day about $100 on food and spirits and tips so about $1,000 per season.
Saw this thread yesterday, and was curious myself, so I went and checked my credit card and debit card invoices. Every Faire visit is a weekend trip over the border from your northern neighour. Usually this means Friday drive down, Saturday Faire, Sunday drive home.
So I don't have to exchange like a thousand dollars cash a and carry that with me the whole time, I use the credit card to buy everything to do with Faires except for food/drink and tips for the acts (and entry at MdRF). On the card went gas, hotel, meals outside Faire, and all purchases of garb/weapons/armor/items for the belt/etc for Lady Heather and I. I hit an ATM in the morning on the way to the Faire to get out cash for food/drink/etc.
This year's Sterling trip cost $520 on the card, plus I took out $300 cash, and I know that I had less than $20US when I crossed back over the border. Great Lakes was $400 on the card plus $250 cash (no Lady Heather that weekend), Michigan trip 1 was $600 card plus $300 cash. Michigan trip 2 was $700 card and $350 cash (no Lady Heather, but some Christmas shopping and 2 days at Faire!). Maryland for Rendezvous was a little bit of a blowout, it seems. $900 card and $600 cash over the Labor day weekend.
Please don't tell Lady Heather about the totals. Looking at it now, I didn't really want to add it up, but this year was nearly a
$5 000 year.
Quote from: Lord Figaro on December 03, 2009, 01:04:08 PM
Too much, but yet, never enough.
Aye, we'll spend more than we probably should and not nearly as much as we'd like to...
It's a new season and new credit card. lol!
If we go through the gate, we're going to drop $500. This would include camping, travel, etc. Going up Friday, going in Sat. and Sun., then leaving early Sun afternoon, it'll be $1000-$1200 easy.
Quote from: Mead Swilling Lech on July 20, 2010, 11:01:04 AM
If we go through the gate, we're going to drop $500. This would include camping, travel, etc. Going up Friday, going in Sat. and Sun., then leaving early Sun afternoon, it'll be $1000-$1200 easy.
Does that include food/drinks too, or do you bring it?
Before we even walk through the gate we drop over $100 on FOF passes. I have no idea how much we spend inside, but its probably $60-$80 a week.
More than I think I should! :)
I'm lucky enough to live only 30 minutes from my home faire, NYRF, so I don't have lodging worries. I buy early bird tickets 8 months in advance so admission is just $12, then I probably drop $80 on food/drink/tips in a day. I consider less than $100 for a day's worth of sustenance, music, entertainment, merriment, and mayhem to be an exceptional bargain and I try to repeat it as many times as I can each season.
Lets see... between what i spent on Scarby and what i am in the process of spending for TRF, including my new baskethilt, loki brewing, camping expenses, beer, fair tickets and food... :-\ :-[
GOOD GAWD! 2500 before Christmas shopping! :o
*faints*
MDRF is my home faire and it's about a 45 minute drive from my home, so lodging isn't an issue. VARF and PARF are also just a few hours away, so I've never bothered with the overnight thing.
Thus far this year, I've spent $80 on MDRF for my fairever pass. We generally budget about $20 each for food and water during the day; if spirited drink is preferred then we add another $30 or more depending on who's driving home.
As far as purchases go, I like to come early and ponder potential items for a while before deciding to buy. I prefer to buy items that are wardrobe staples which I know we'll wear for years to come. I have a pair of Sandlar boots, my daughter has a Half Moon cloak, and my husband has a Workman's Utilikilt; all of these items will last for a long time so it's more of an investment, I think.
This year, I do plan on trying on a Moresca bodice and possibly buying if I can find one I like. I've never worn Moresca but I hear good things. So, I might be looking at about a $300 tab early in the season.
I see a lot of you buying passes as part of your expenditure. If you are really into faire, you ought to consider joining a guild. Yes, there are typically guild dues, but they tend to be cheaper than the cost of the tickets. Plus you end up going with a ton of other fun people and have somewhere to go when you need a break.
If I and the cost of the FoF or the discount tickets in the case of TRF and Sherwood around $60 for food and tips. More at TRF and Sherwood for camping fees. Considering that a ball game ticket can be over $60 it a pretty good deal.
I've already spent probably $150 for St. Louis Ren Faire this year (went with a vendor friend, who drove and we camped on site, so no gas or admission!). That went to tips, food, and a new chemise. I'm saving for the Kansas City Renaissance Festival, my home festival, because I'm getting a season pass this year. My spending plan:
$75 for the season pass
$8 in tips for the Jolly Rogers/Musical Blades per day ($4 each) plus $5 for other acts=$21/weekend in tip $= $147 for tips over the season
$8 a day for food (I'm planning on bringing either lunch or a snack each day...we'll see how this one goes because I looove faire food!)=$112 over the season for food
$200 for garb/accessories (I want to buy my first bodice and possibly an overskirt, and/or a belt)
$121 "extra" cash ($17 extra per weekend...lets me get at least one treat every weekend, ie a CD, a gift, something from the artisans. Could also probably go towards tipping.)
I'm planning to have $580 saved total by the beginning of faire. That figure doesn't include the season pass, so my total on KCRF this year will be around $655 for all seven weekends. That doesn't include gas, but I'm about 20 minutes away from faire, so it shouldn't be that bad. I could end up adding to that total and I probably will as I get my paychecks over the festival season. Add that to my St. Louis spending and my total for faires this year is $805. It's the most i've ever spent on faire--but it's so, so worth it!
So far this year around $3500. That is 8 weekends of Scarby, 1 weekend at Sherwood, 1 day each at Four Winds and Norman. The biggest expense was a pair of boots for over $1500. That one shouldn't have to be repeated. Still expect to go to Middlefaire at least one day and 1 or 2 weekends at TRF. Also am getting a bunch of new garb made so I expect to spend around $7000 this year. This is an exceptional year because of all the new garb.
In a normal year it should be around $3000 for the 2 of us. Back when I was much poorer I could do a full season of Scarby for under $500. Biggest expense are garb and motels. I don't camp. I need my sleep.
I'm afraid to add it up.
So far this year:
Airfare for 2 from Chicagoland to Florida. Rental car in Florida for 5 nights, hotel for 5 nights, 2 people, 2 days BARF admission, plus gas, food, drinks, gifts, tips, & my new WONDERFUL ghillies from Heart & Sole, Willin Sole & Lady Nicolette.
Airfare for 2 from Chicagoland to Dallas. Rental car in Dallas for 6 nights, hotel for 6 nights, 2 people, 2 days Scarby admission, plus gas (including a side trip to San Antonio & Houston), food, drinks, gifts. And my new Moresca bodice & skirt.
Gas, food, drinks, admission, gifts, tips for me both days, Steve one day to Janesville. Ditto for Dubuque. One day gas, food, drinks, & tips, plus admission for 2 people for Peoria (Jubilee).
18 tickets to Bristol, plus 2 Fof memberships, we've been 1 day so far, so gas, food, tips, drinks, and whatever catches our eye to purchase while we're there.
Coming up later this year in Sept. I'm going to MN with 3 friends, so gas, bought my BOGO ticket already,so saved 1 days entry fee. Plus 3 nights hotel, food, drinks, MAYBE another pair of shoes from Heart & Sole.
Also Stronghold, in Oregon, IL. Two days for me, 1 for Steve, so gas, entry fees, food, drink, tips, & gifts.
People say to me, "Don't you ever go on REAL vacations?" Well, for us, what we do, is BETTER than a "real" vacation. Though we could probably spring for a trip to the Caribbean with what we spend on faire. Don't wanna!
What you said, Lady B! Faire IS my vacation... ;)
I use to save up all year for faire. Not that I still don't, but now I have to feed myself and being a poor college student, money goes elsewhere now.
I can't remember what year it was, but it was the same year Katrina hit New Orleans. I had a good 300$ saved up for my season at TRF, I was ecstatic. But then the hurricane hit and there was a fundraiser at school to help people. I lived around Houston and a lot of families from Louisiana had to relocate to where I lived, and I had made friends with some of those kids. As much as I love renfest, I couldn't justify keeping the money so I donated it all. I'm not going to lie, that was hard, but worth it :) My mom paid for my admission and gave me food money so I could still go, which was nice
I remember I went to TRF once and spent less than 100$ including admission, food, and some fun stuff, and I was pretty proud of that. I'd say over every faire ever, I've spent about...I have no idea, between 800-1000$ over 6 years? Honestly I don't know, but I usually take about 100$ with me to every weekend :/ Thats a lot of books for school eh?
Oh, anyone ever measure money in garb? A friend said he made some amount of money in one weekend and I said "that's like 4 bodices!" ;D
I'm sure you know, but if you work the faire, you get in for free. That alone will save you some cash, you get to have a great time and you get to stay after hours for all the real fun. :)
How Many Faires?
Just 1. 7 weekends @ the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.
Being a performer myself as well as the fiance of a Belly Dancer . . . On average, about a $1000 per year. Give or take. The most, we've ever spent, about $2300.
For next year, we'll probably hit the higher mark. Need a stage combat sword (or two), new boots, adding to the outfit. And the belly dancer always needs new shiny things.
Doing really good this season, but now I need a new shirt AND pants. Oi!
We only have a couple single weekend faires close to us. And we try to attend 3-4 of the bigger ones per year.(Tampa, Georgia, Tn.,Scarby, LARF, and trying hard to get this Thanksgiving off for TRF ) With driving expense, motel and etc., plus we usually find some very well made items for our garb arsenal, I would say at least 1K per faire on average.
Faire is our vacation, yes. ;D
So far, my husband and I have only gone to SWFF and TRF. At each, I would say I am averaging about $100-$150. That however, is not including gas. Also, this is the first year we will be staying in a hotel, so that will be another $100 for a two night stay about 30 minutes away from TRF.
I don't see myself getting any garb this year, as I'm still researching different kinds and types that I would like to purchase ( if anything I MAY get a nice skirt if I see it. Not feeling bodices yet, or noble stuff). I do however want to buy a -lot- of CDs and tip rather heavily, since I won't be dropping $200 on a bodice.
I just wanna have fun in my garb this year, and I can be a high roller in a few more seasons!
Well, so far, I've spent close to $20,000. But that includes booth space, tent rental, insurance, materials, packaging, displays and garb for 6 people. See, it doesn't sound quite so bad now.
I'll need to spend at least $2,000 more, because I'm paying my middle daughter $100 a day to babysit my two youngest daughters. they will be the beautiful, well behaved girls in the matching blue brocade.
I need to be child free so I can help my oldest daughter in the booth.
We had sure better sell a lot of soap!
I can't say that I have ever spent as much as many of ya'll have in a day during a whole season at TRF...
I think I average about 50-60 bucks a day. I am a cheap b*stard ;)
I have 6 tickets for this TRF season I got on a half price deal a while ago, like $65.
It's about $10 for gas round trip.
I regularly survive a day at TRF with about $40 for chow, drinks and tips. I hardly ever 'shop' and even less likely 'buy' at all the vendors, unless I have something in mind ahead of time, for example I'll be bringing a little extra for opening weekend to get a music CD.
I only have a few items of garb that are only for faire, and my garb is simple- some shirts and vests, a couple hats, and some gillies. I guess over the last 5 or 6 years I've invested about 300 bucks in various items. I think the single most expensive piece was a leather vest I got a couple years ago that was about 90 bucks. I do not count the kilts and various items that go along with them, as I wear them pretty much all the time.
Once the admission is paid for I usually spend 150-200 at faire, including tipping and if I find something in the shop to buy.
I usually go to TRF 3 weekends a year, Sherwood Fair once or twice, and Scarby once. At TRF, I usually start the weekend with about 250 to 300 a weekend. Which has to cover gas, 400 miles round trip in a large truck 100 min., 2 tickets at 16 or 18 dollars each, food and drinks, and camping. So that leaves me about 50 or so for tips, trinkets, etc.
Sherwood cost about the same.
Scarby, I have to add hotel cost and a lot more gas. So it runs me at minimum 500.
And that doesn't cover the cost I spend on garb, which I either make or have been given most of, things for camping, and booze for camp grounds.
When I take the kids you can add 100 to 200 more per trip. I only get 1 trip a year alone most of the time.
So I guess in a year 2500 to 4000. And if I had more to spend, i would.
This year alone... Let's see, we went to Sherwood and we plan on heading to TRF for a few weekends... Let me try to crunch the numbers...
Sherwood was about 300 with hotel, yummies, stuff we brought home, garb that we got at the last minute, if I am not mistaken.
TRF is going to be a little more expensive this time around with once again, a new garb purchase (this is my last one for this year, I PROMISE!) and that's going to run me about 300, I think. We got some really good prices on our tickets, thanks to "deal" sites and that was about 100 in all, really. We plan on camping one weekend and that's going to cost 30, if I am not mistaken-I could be wrong. Plus, with all the stuff we got for camping, that's about 300, maybe 400...
And that's all I cam remember for now.
Yeah, it's a lot.
LOL
Tickets + mead + turkey leg + one new piece for the costume = happy pirate!
I would estimate at 10,000.00 for this year but we have 5 kids so that is a large expense.
Quote from: justsomeguytn on November 04, 2009, 12:51:06 PM
I think I use about $600 for one weekend at Carolina. That's meals, room, car, and some spending money. For performer tip money I put all my coin change in a jar through the year. A week or two before faire I take the jar to the bank and get gold dollar coins. Carolina performers, I'm up to forty bucks so far.
DARN.....I was thinking of doing that next time, as oppose to having a bag of ones....but someone got there first! Not to say that I still won't do it, though. This last time, I tipped everyone I visited, that I saw they had a tip jar, on the $1 scale. They are part of what makes faire work and they do depend a lot on the tips.
As to the question, faire isn't cheap. A metal goblet here, $60, a coyote hide there, $400, a hat today, $100, a bullwhip yesterday, $120, and it goes on and on. It's probably fair to say that over a year, it's around $1000 for keepsake purchases, 50-75 each for food, tips, instant presents plus the cost of a ticket, with two-three visits to TRF and Scarborough, 2 or 3 to Sherwood, and 1 to Middlefaire, and then the cost of gas, wear&tear on the car, and the readjustment back to the work week.
Still, there are trade offs. Back in the 35mm days, one day could produce 18-27 rolls to then be processed at $4-5 a roll and whatever it cost to buy the roll in the first place. Those funds are now transferred to something else now that I shoot digital.
Well, I won't say that I bought Homer, the Odyssey, just for going to faire(s), but we have put 6,000 miles on him since February on faire travel alone, plus another 11,000 miles for other travel...
By the time we drive to the faire area (closest faire this year-225 miles), camp at the local hotels, pay for chow, tickets, drinks, it's about $500 minimum. Average is probably closer to $1000 taking into account the jewelry, art, and miscellaneous stuff we waddle out with.
I spent MAYBE $100 this past weekend... Well, the rain cut down on the expenses a bit...
Free pass to TRF
Picnic with the Barbarian hubby, who is a slave to Queen Vendela
Dinner at the Borgias.
camping gear and garb already established
so in TRF opening weekend only spent less than $20
shush, don't tell King George!
Now the real expense was the gas for 2 vehicles to get there!
Saturday was a big day for me ;) I spent about 70 bucks!
Ticket - $12
TRF Pin - $5
The new Circa Paleo CDs- $30 ;D
2 Cokes - $5
Pierogis - $7
Kettle Crack - $6
Assorted tips - $5
Next time, back to about 30 - 40 bucks a day!
When I took guests (sister and her kids) to GLMF, between admission, food/drink, garb/souvenirs/merch, and tips for the acts I spent a bit over $200 on each of the two trips we made out there this year. Travel overhead was only about $30 in gas each time as GLMF is a day trip for me.
When I went solo to Ohio Ren this past weekend, between parking/admission, food/drink, souvenirs and tips I spent about $75 while actually at faire and about $55 in travel overhead for camping and gas (I was on my motorcycle - gas would have jacked that up substantially in my truck).
With only one exception, too much ;D
of course it has always been worth it ;)
That's the way we look at it, Sir Ironhead. It's the most fun we can have with our clothes on.
Well the season is about to start and it looks like I need new pants this year, so I'm already on the hook for $40-50. I also need a new hat. I'm already afriad for my bank account this season!
Thus far this season (since January):
Trip to the Arizona festival: Approx $1500
New court gown for the Duchess: $1800
New matching doublet and slops for yours truly: $1300
Enjoyment and Anticipation: Priceless
Quote from: Norfolk on April 04, 2013, 01:30:34 PM
Thus far this season (since January):
Trip to the Arizona festival: Approx $1500
New court gown for the Duchess: $1800
New matching doublet and slops for yours truly: $1300
Enjoyment and Anticipation: Priceless
Wow, you win! lol
I wish I had your budget. So many things I *need*.
Quote from: Valiss on April 04, 2013, 04:43:31 PM
Quote from: Norfolk on April 04, 2013, 01:30:34 PM
Thus far this season (since January):
Trip to the Arizona festival: Approx $1500
New court gown for the Duchess: $1800
New matching doublet and slops for yours truly: $1300
Enjoyment and Anticipation: Priceless
Wow, you win! lol
I wish I had your budget. So many things I *need*.
Actually the Duchess will readily admit that she doesn't "need" new court garb. However, she is quite mystified as to why that should foreclose spending large quantities of cash upon same. :D
(Actually, having been on court for four years, our "best" garb is becoming a bit sun-bleached and thin in spots. So we are plowing our salaries back in to the enterprise, so to speak.)
My wife an I believe our average to be $500 per weekend, and about 20 weekends per year......give or take.....
Norfolk - you are just doing what any good Duke should do ;)
I don't think I recall ever seeing The Duke in court attire, pilgrim.
Too much. I'm afraid to add it up.
Pretty much all of it.
I'm looking forward to gatelisting and camping. And cutting my faire costs in half.
Too much probably pushing 2k
Weekends at PARF and MD add up when you add in hotel, gas and food.
I usually buy stuff at the faire _ food and lots of beer plus garb or other stuff.
Did I mention beer :D
I think I may have posted already, but here's an update with another faire season under our belt!
We've pretty much bought all of our garb that we can get from faires, without getting custom work done. That's helped our pockets quite a bit. I found some amazing cowrie shell belts at a place at Sherwood ( which I can't remember the name to! I want more cowrie shell belts!), along with a head covering for use when I'm in garb as Alex's wife. We were able to trade something for a gandora we found at Sherwood ( The -only- one we've seen through TFR and Sherwood... Where's the authentic Northern African/Middle Eastern/Ottoman Empire garb love? )
so overall, right now we only really spend 200-300 bucks at a faire weekend, excluding tickets and camping. Most of that is food, but sometimes I'll see some lotion or soaps I may want to try. Like Summerwood Soaps at SWFF... That is the official household soap for Alex and I now!