Okay, now what?

[Lady Lowrye verch Jankyns]

Begging your pardon, but now that I've found that I quite enjoy being a part of the Ren community, I'm not sure what to what/where/do next.

I have started to put together my garb but that is as far as I have gotten (well other than finding all of you!). 

What else do I need to know, buy, join, etc.? What suggestions do you have for this newbie?

Thanks so much in advance!!

[Dinobabe]

Read the board, find your niche(s), enjoy!  We all have our ways of enjoying the RenFaire obsession.  Join in on some of the debauchery.


P.S. If you want to listen to Bounding Main but don't want to buy the CD you can do so on their website!  Awesome!
http://www.boundingmain.com/

[Merlin the Elder]

It does seem to be a fairely [sic] personal afaire [sic]. We all approach it a little differently, I think, at least from what I've run into so far. Some of us are fantasy characters, some extremely accurate reproductions. Since there were not likely a lot of nut-case, nerdy wizards in the Renaissance, I would imagine I would be categorized in the former.

It is what you make of it, whether it be fantasy or historically accurate. The latter can get really expensive if you attend several faires, each of which is in another time-frame.  Steam punk has found its way into Ren faires and is quite popular. You just never know!

[renfairephotog]

Look for other events in your area. There's bound to be more fun in the area. KYRF has a celtic show at the faire site in sept.

plus there's another celtic show http://www.louisvilleirishfest.com/ in Lousiville.

[DonaCatalina]

Well....technically you joined when you bought your first piece of garb. In between faires we work on our garb, watch movies, discuss upcoming fairs, sometimes plan local gatherings at a pub and things like that. Most of the Irish/Celtic/Scottish fairs will see a fair number of people coming out in garb. You will probably become familiar with the term Faire Withdrawal.
Welcome and have fun!

[amy]

Books, Books, Books!   Read the stories, learn the history and you will fall into that something that interests you.  Whether it be the food, the sport, the dress, the lifestyles, the fantasy, the spirits or whatever you will be hooked.    The social aspect of the addiction is great too.  Try to make plans to travel a bit, find the venues and make your plans.  Half the fun of going to faire is the hype for the 3 months planning to go!

[Lady Lowrye verch Jankyns]

Thank you all so much!!  I can't tell you how many hours I have spent going through old posts on the forum (really, I can't.  I lost track of time!! )

I'm having fun working on accessorizing my garb now and picked up a couple of things today (thanks to suggestions from forum posts!!) , thinking of ideas for making favors (which is something I'm going to love since I love to do crafts) and writing up my character's background. 

I can't wait until Ohio's Ren Faire.  We are planning on going in September, but I'm hoping to go again in October with a couple of friends and get them involved.  I saw there is another weekend fair in Oct about 2 hours from my home and I'm going to try to make that one as well.  Maybe next year I will venture a little further from home (and my husband will be more involved too).

I'll try not to ask too many newbie questions    But I'll warn you, I'm a curious sort, so I will be asking.    

I can't believe I forgot about the Louisville Celtic Festival!  We love to go to that, but it hasn't worked out the last couple of years.  I'm definitely going to check out the Celtic Fest at KyRF too.

Thank you!  Thank you!  Thank you!!!

[Nighthawk]

Well, Lady Lowrye, you could always move to Colorado and join the Renaissance Scots Living History Association. We have events starting from St. Patrick's Day all the way to the Edgewater Celtic Festival in September. And those are the public events. Between Edgewater, we have a Halloween gathering, a New Year's party, and various and sundry other gatherings and get-togethers. Or you could stay in your own area and find a similar group! Living history groups are a lot of fun!

[Lady Lowrye verch Jankyns]

Hopefully I'll make it there someday Nighthawk!  I love the mountains! 

[Lady Gryphon]

May I suggest that you plan on the Tennessee Ren Fair in the spring.  It would be worth the weekend trip.  HRH Queen Elizabeth, does a wonderful job keeping everything moving along and the faire is ONE of my favorites, of course I haven't met a Faire I didn't like.    It's south of Nashville, and worth letting you child miss a day of School over to drive there and get settled.  Just one suggestion I have from a Newbie also. 

[BLAKDUKE]

May I suggest that you plan on the Tennessee Ren Fair in the spring.  It would be worth the weekend trip.  HRH Queen Elizabeth, does a wonderful job keeping everything moving along and the faire is ONE of my favorites, of course I haven't met a Faire I didn't like.    It's south of Nashville, and worth letting you child miss a day of School over to drive there and get settled.  Just one suggestion I have from a Newbie also. 

AYE  What she said, but then I'm prejudiced.....................

The BLAKDUKE

[max and kate]

If your going to travel check out the festival web site for a news letter, some festivals will offer discount tickets buy one get one or half off, mostly offers are around the holidays, if planning a head there can be great savings.

[Lady Lowrye verch Jankyns]

TNRF is on my list to visit next year.  Only about 3 hours from me so an easy day trip or overnight mini vacation.  I'll definitely sign-up for the newsletters (and I'm checking FB for pages to "like" as well).

Thanks everyone!!