So what brings you back to the faire?

[Scribe_Wear]

For me its the food, the vendors who remember me and my girlfriend year after year even thou we only see them once or twice a year.  the shows that get better every time we go. and the people who are always friendly and willing to help because every year we just about need it because even if we have a dry spell i manage to get our car stuck in the mudd and need help to get it out.

[Harlas]

Wow--my wife and I both went for the 1st time -as adults. it was KCRF.

A few years later--we found out that Bristol was only a cpl of hours north of us--and after talking about how fun it was--we went there.

This is our 3rd year to Bristol--and our kids enjoy it as much as we do.

For my kids--it is the rides--my daughter loves to get her hair done up.

The wife enjoys the shows and the atmosphere.

I can't wait for the food 

[JJames]

Like many of you, my family gets excited about returning! This is our first time we are making a weekend out of it, and our first trip to the faire w/ just us. We've previously gone w/ other couples and family, which is totally fine, but, we are kind of wanting to venture on our own this time, we jus click like that. My daughter is very excited, she has a dress we bought from KCRF and it still fits this year, so she is determined to wear it! My wife and I are planning to sort out some garb for our 2nd day there and possibly go in garb for our first time. I think the thing I like is this is our "own thing". Families have their traditional trips and vacaction every year, and Im sure that tradition gets passed down, we dont really have anything like that, so this is certainly a unique start! Thank you all for sharing!

[Becky10]

I love theatre and i love to people watch so basically the entire atmosphere draws me in. I always say " I am going to be a part of it next year" and never do but just being there and seeing people who are genuinely happy to be there is so rare in daily life you cant help but be happy too.

[Craigmeister]

I like the escape from the rat race.  Hammered dulcimers & working trebuchets are the things I seek out in Renfaires.

[Capt Robertsgrave Thighbiter]

What brings me back to Faire?  The Entertainment Director owes me 10 bucks!   

[angusmacinnes]

What Dona said.

[SirRichardBear]

Pay Chest after the death march  

Real the comradely to the QOH, the Scottish Court, the SRG, and other cast members and playtrons at Scarby.  For the other faires its the chance to see types of entertainment you will see no were else but at faire.

[Bob of the Lake]

The music, the shows, the laughter, the camaraderie, the ambiance, the smiles on everyone's faces, the chance to relax and enjoy, and the beer.

[sealion]

The escape from the everyday world, the chance to be whoever I want to be, hanging out with friends we've made over the years, and   bringing newbies and seeing everything fresh through their eyes are among the reasons I keep going back.

[Ellaris]

The sense of belonging I get when I walk through the gates opening weekend. For me it's like Christmas. Definitely what I look forward to all year long.

[Mademoiselle D]

Definitely forgetting the world outside the gates, dressing up and really being a kid again through a giant game of dress up and make believe!

I totally agree with Sealion too, with bringing newbies and seeing them get more and more excited and into it throughout the entire day.  Then by the end of the day making plans to come back with you for every remaining weekend and designing their own garb.

[DonaCatalina]

I can totally forget about the everyday world with all its problems for just a few hours. I get to dress up and visit a different time.

[LadyStitch]

For me its the food, the vendors who remember me and my girlfriend year after year even thou we only see them once or twice a year. 

I will second the vendors that remember us.  To this day we have vendors at TRF that look for us to come in.  We have one that will always greet us with a hug like old friends. 
Last Year my friend Tyrod   bought a pair of faire Paire tights.  He acccidently left his old cotton pants in the shop.  3 weekends later he was back for a visit  and the vendor tackled him in the lane, and gave him his trousers back.  Funny enough when Tyrod walked into the shop this year he was greeted by name by them.  The fact that the vendors know you , is one reason.

Then I have to say it is the people that bring me back.  I mean where else could I dress like I do, and not be laughed at.  Where else could I play like I do.  Where else could I put out a call and friends I just met would come running. 
And I have to say, where else could the pink pirate walk about and no one bat an eye, well....  at least not think he is COMPLETLY nuts.

[Merlin the Elder]

Yeah, the vendors remembering you is pretty nice, and even some of the cast and staff greeting you like old friends, and that was before I was a member on this forum. That makes it pretty amazing to me because up until the past couple of years, we were only able to make one weekend of faire per year. With as many faces as they see, I'm surprised they would remember mine. Now we save more money and time off so we can get away more than once.

I tend to stress a lot over my job—guess I'm lucky to even have one—and the only time that I can completely keep it from creeping into my consciousness is while I am at faire.