TRF I remember

[bellevivre]

didnt that become the last supper stage... which I think is also no longer there...?

That was where I first performed at TRF... such melancholy memories!

[Rapier Half-Wit]

The Ogre, yes, I miss the Ogre. He'd wave a hand full of turkey leg bones, one between each finger, and then fart like it was a birthday present. The dead cart in the parade. The SCA battles on the mound. Of the Sturdy Beggars, Billy Billy Von Billy is the only one left from the original cast. The gypsy village and Sherwood forest was just past the falconers stage, and all the gypsy's had was a little nest of tents to sell their wares from. The horse and chariot races actually used to ring the lake, next to where the joust arena is now. Revenge. And Celtic Stone would perform in the lanes. I can still hear their music drift through the trees if I close my eyes a listen hard enough...

[Shandi]

Celtic stone...I still have a ancient cassette that I still listen to,even though it's a bit rough

[Rapier Half-Wit]

You can buy one of their CDs on CDBaby.com. There has been noise in the recent past about reforming the band, but I don't know if anything ever came of it.

[Just Randall]

Byran, Rapier, you're confusing the Ogre with the Tree Troll. Ogre, about 7 feet tall, green, farted a lot, had a pus bag,(I miss Craig, he also did most of the stained glass, as Shandi mentioned), The Tree Troll, black, made a rope 'nest' in the trees in Sherwood(Bevin is still running around at Faire, but cannot physically do the Troll any longer).


How many other people here can remember the Japanese Gardens?

[mpullen]

The Maypole (instead of that [gag] bungie jump).

Pre-opening performances on top of the gate.

[Trillium]

Wow, bringing back so many memories!  I have a picture of that knight/dragon carving in my wedding book!!  Wasn't the tree troll also called the jaborwaky?  I remember lots of open space...  And the chariot races!!

[Rapier Half-Wit]

Byran, Rapier, you're confusing the Ogre with the Tree Troll. Ogre, about 7 feet tall, green, farted a lot, had a pus bag,(I miss Craig, he also did most of the stained glass, as Shandi mentioned), The Tree Troll, black, made a rope 'nest' in the trees in Sherwood(Bevin is still running around at Faire, but cannot physically do the Troll any longer).


How many other people here can remember the Japanese Gardens?

I said Ogre, yeah, sure I did. That's the ticket. And I was never near the wood nymph.

[Sir Martin]

Wow ... great idea for discussion.  The history of TRF is the stuff of legend.  Several of the things I'll mention have already been brought up, but are treasured memories of past years at New Market Village.

The Ogre was one of the most talented and unique thespians I've ever seen.  For the better part of a decade, he made people both laugh and cringe.  His costume, makeup, mannerisms, props and routine distinguish him as one of TRF's most exceptional performers ever.

The Battle Mound and SCA are sorely missed.  There were some seriously hard-fought contests that thrilled audiences on a regular basis, and the wedding ceremony after the battle was a nice touch ... made especially interesting if it was a woman who won the contest!

I remember a couple of talented men who called themselves "The Duelists" who did a lane act at TRF years ago.  They were excellent swordsmen and had a great comedy routine to go along with their swashbuckling skills.

Ah yes ... the chariot races ...  certainly more dangerous than the modern jousting.  The pond was a bit smaller back then.  Not sure, but I'm guessing that the modern jousting show took over because the participants are closer to the audience, the royal court has a presence on the dais, and the joust maidens are used to encourage audience participation.

As mentioned, The Cursing Well is still at TRF, but it is significantly smaller than its original configuration.  The majestic tree with human features is gone, but the well itself (surrounded by skulls and accompanied by a posted poem) can still be found behind Dave Shepard's Satyr Horns (shoppe 314).

Carol Shannon's belly dancers did a great job back in the day.

The Player's Podium served as a nice venue for performances.  I remember it fondly, but can't say that I long for it's return because it was replaced by The Odeon, which is a much larger and nicer theater.

Before The Sea Devil Tavern was established, the pub in that location was known as The Stella Artois Inn.

The wood carvings were majestic, and something of that nature should surely be restored in the village.  A renaissance/medieval theme carved into wood would offer both charming ambiance and a great photo op for patrons.

[KeeperoftheBar]

Remember back in the days of the chariot races, they would have a cannon marksman contest where they would shoot the length of the pond.  I really doubt they were actually shooting anything but it was still exciting when the cannon would roar and a splash would fountain up.

I also miss the Dragon Slayer who would give out glass "dragon tears".  I ran into the gentleman a few years ago but he no longer does that part.

[Lady Laura]

A few from 1979 or 80:

[RenRobin]

Great pictures Lady Laura!

[CatAshtrophy]

Thanks for the pictures. How neat!

[Merlin the Elder]

If my memory serves, TRF was my very first Ren Fest. One of the memorable things about it was the fact that my bride was wearing an all-white outfit (civies) and we stopped to watch the mud-divers. Talk about your judgment errors...

[Rapier Half-Wit]

Lady Laura if you need someone to scan the remainder of any old TRF pictures that you have, I will be more than happy to volunteer for the job. I have been looking high and low for pictures such as these.