Faire: Should it be Fantasy or Historically Accurate or a Mix?

[ladyharrogate]

Dona Catalina,

I now have images of ladies running en mass while being chased by gothic faries on leashes LOL! 

[Taffy Saltwater]

The players and vendors should be as accurate as the owners wish them to be.  As far as patrons are concerned, it's their dime and time.  At TRF, Rani & I are doing a steampunk invasion & Queen Bonnie & I are doing a Harry Potter invasion, both over All Hallows Eve weekend.  Hey, it may be just me invading, but my intention is to make the weekend as fun as possible.  For that matter, there are Roman Bachanalia, Pirate, Scottish, etc. weekends, none of which are too particularly Renaissance-y.  I think that goes to show that the owners know that they need to have themes other than Renaissance for people who want to trot out their toga or whatever.  But I don't see the toga'ed folks griping that the ren garbed folks are cutting in on their time.  I personally liked the kilted Storm Trooper crashing the party, but doing so w/a sense of humor.

On the other hand, this is TRF and I once read a review of it as being a "freak show."

[Witchhawk]

I was dumbfounded a few years back when I was roundly scolded by a garbed faire-goer about my choice of costume.

As an avid fencer and fan of RennFest I decided years ago to dress as a Musketeer, and my wife designed and hand-sewed an amazing tunic for me. I mean this tunic is astonishingly gorgeous! This "gentleman" was actually angry and loudly informed me that my garb was not Rennaisance Era and was "only off by 400 years". I was so shocked at his outburst that I was actually speechless!

Honestly, because of this one idiot, I became very self conscious about dressing as a Musketeer from then on - and have not enjoyed Faire as much as I used to. I still have that outfit but have added a second costume to wear. I understand that some folks care a lot about historical accuracy but I didn't deserve THAT!

I don't know what the point of this message is, just thought I'd share.

WH

[DonaCatalina]

The Boors will always be with us. I'm sorry that some loud mouth diminished your enjoyment of faire.

[Witchhawk]

On another note - I personally don't like to see Stormtroopers & Trekkies and the like at RennFest. Renaissance Festivals and Science Fiction Conventions are two different animals IMO. They just look so completely out of place. The RennFaire is, in theory, a recreation of an era, and although fairies, goblins, and such are commonly associated with that era - whether they actually existed or not, Darth Vader and Spock were not. Some mixing is fine with me, but bringing science fiction to a Renaissance Festival is pushing the envelope.
Again, just my opinion - people must also remain free to do as they please, with harm to none. So bring on the Force!

WH

[Butch]

I'm with you, Witchhawk.  If HA was the goal, then they shouldn't allow anyone in that wasn't HA.  That means no jeans or t-shirts, or eyeglasses.

Let them wear what they like!  And any comments like "you're only off by 400 years"?  Get a life, buddy!

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Got to love the Garb Nazi's... 

[Athena]

WH, it saddens me that you had such an experience, but please don't let some loudmouth's (who probably wasn't wearing 100% HA garb himself) comments make you self conscious. Do you love the musketeer garb and feel great in it? Then by all means, wear it! Go to the photography forum and browse some of the picture threads, you'll see all kinds of garb.

Renaissance festivals are NOT historical reenactments, and it drives me nuts when people complain about the way patrons are dressed and people's personas. I once stumbled upon an online community that was all about historical accuracy, and I must say it was quite humorous. These people were hardcore - they wanted Renaissance festivals to be accurate depictions of sixteenth century English villages with accurately dressed patrons, crafters, and performers. Absolutely NO pirates, gypsies, fantasy characters, medieval garb or kilts! NO KILTS!? Ladies, I think we can all agree that would be tragic!  

Anyway, my point is that faire is all about FUN. Sure, the historical influence is there, but I think the important thing is the spirit of it all rather than striving for accuracy. I've seen HA court ladies standing next to pirates and fairies and it all blends together beautifully. Hell, I don't even have a problem with a Stormtroopers, though I admit I find kilted Stormtroopers pretty darn cool!  

[Amras Elfwine]

Hi, Athena!!!

You all know my stance on accuracy...the only one in my house 100% period accurate is my squirrel...everyone knows squirrels wore battle kilts during the renaissance...besides, having a small pox vaccination scar automatically renders me (and anyone else with one) period-inaccurate...and now, a poem...ahem...

Renfests forever
Garb Nazis NEVER!

Cheers!!

[Athena]

AMRAS!!!! See you & the Squirrel soon!

Oh, and for those who get their bloomers - OOPS not HA - I mean their slops and farthingales in a twist, the festivals themselves are chock full of anachronisms. I highly doubt that things like Mastercard, Lady Visa, chicken fajitas, Coke, Pepsi, and port-o-potties existed in the 1500's. So let's all relax and have some fun!

[Captain Jack Wolfe]

I used to agonise over historical accuracy.  Finally, I woke up to the fact that it mattered more to me than anyone else, and I was only driving myself crazy in the process.  Coming to that realisation helped me more than anything to truly enjoy faire.  I can fully immerse myself and have fun, and be completely at ease.

As far as Starfleet personnel, Imperial stormtroopers, Furries, barbarians, Steampunks, fairies, etc... it doesn't bother me that much really.  I've described faire to people that it's as if you've not only gone backwards in time, but sideways in realities.  So naturally you get this funky mishmash of different eras, fantasy characters, all that.  And your technology still works.  Let's face it-- to be as HA as some people want it, your credit cards and money would be unusable, and you'd have to surrender your car keys and mobile at the front gates.  Cameras too.

Lighten up!  It's only faire!  

[Amras Elfwine]

...not only gone backwards in time, but sideways in realities.  

Outstanding, Mad Jack...truly outstanding!!!

Cheers!

[Peddlin]

I have to agree with all of you. I try to be as historically accurate as is feasible, but I really don't think that it is entirely possible, in this day and age. And as for the Stormtroopers, at least they dressed up and came out, even if they are terribly out of place. They are still trying to get into the spirit of things. So why should it bother me, if everyone is having a good time? I am certainly not going to let anyone ruin my experience by what they are wearing. As long as I have my faire and my friends, I am a happy camper. Why not let them enjoy it, too?

[Welsh Wench]

I worked at Heritage Village as a docent showing a Victorian house.
It was mentioned to be historically accurate, we should sew our clothes by hand, Victorian style.

Um....I don't want to be standing there in my VS as my clothes fall apart while I am wearing them.
But then, VS isn't historically accurate either.

Some things you just have to bend the rules on.

[Witchhawk]

Yes, I don't know why I let that one guy get to me so - but for some reason what he said and how he said it truly hurt. Obviously, as the memory is still clear to me today. I stated earlier that I don't especially likethe science fiction people,but I am open minded enough to let them be who they are - and I would never in a thousand years confront someone else to chastise their garb selection. That would be pretty much like saying, "I am better than you because I dressed in period." And that has no place anywhere - especially Faire!

I appreciate everyone's kind words, and I will go back to my out of period, not historically correct, wrong country Musketeer tunic if I revisit the MD Faire later in the season. That dern thing is too hot to wear any other time! Its a nice community here, I'm glad I decided to drop a few lines here and there!

WH