I have no idea why I keep starting these...
I started coming to MNRF 26 years ago (this year). I have only missed one year in that time. Only missing 2003 which was the year I got hurt in a car accident.
I was 14 the first year I attended. My Friend's sister took the two of us. LD got to meet her a couple months ago and I had to point out that she was the first person to bring me.
So how long have you been attending and do you have a story about it?
after talking to my mom, I've come to realize that I've been going to Fest for 30 years, which means my first trip was before my first b-day.
I'm not sure if I started attending in 1981 or 1982. I have a mug from 1982 to prove I was there in that year but as I get older my memory fades. I collect the goblets from the Travelers Booths and have one from each year. Haven't missed a year since I started attending.
My fest story involves a rainy day, the Ratcatcher, and a Mickey Mouse poncho from Disneyworld. He followed me around, praising me as the High Rat Priestess. I think that's when I decided I had to work there at some point.
22 years for me! I've been going every year since we moved up here when I was 4 years old and have not missed a year. :)
This is my 7th season...to the best of my recollection I had only been out twice before that, once when I was 8 and my mom took me and once as a freshman in high school for my drama club. But yeah I basically started working out here blind.
I am looking at 12 or 13 years of festyness.. ;D I started going around the time I was 18,(I may have gone once or twice before that, but not on a regular basis. Started getting season passes about 9 years ago, and then wised up and just got a job working out there! yay!! ;D :-*
This is only my second year of season pass and garb. Before that I bought tickets every time I went....What I save in the season pass I make up for in the garb...lol...
This is my 4th year going to Mn, and my 9th season over all. Went once when I was like 12 and then one time in college.
let's see, I went once in 1991 or 1992 (after I had been in the cities for awhile in college). Then started working here 1993
1993 CKC Hawker
1994-1995 Fencing booth referee
1996-present MacGregor Games (I think I missed a year in there somewhere).
so, 15 this year.
When I was 10 I was at the very first "Celebration of Nature, Art, and Life!" (1971) as it was called before it moved from Jonathon, MN tp Shakopee.
I started doing modern fencing demos one weekend a year with the MN Sword Club about 1983 and the the wife I became full time participants in 1989.
Quote from: groomporter on August 14, 2008, 10:27:26 AM
When I was 10 I was at the very first "Celebration of Nature, Art, and Life!" (1971) as it was called before it moved from Jonathon, MN tp Shakopee.
I started doing modern fencing demos one weekend a year with the MN Sword Club about 1983 and the the wife I became full time participants in 1989.
Groomporter wins! 37 years (Pre-fest years even).
I'm old... :'(
Quote from: groomporter on August 14, 2008, 10:37:59 AM
I'm old... :'(
Its all a state of mind, your only 7 years older than me and I keep getting called a kid. Just remember you have to have the right state of mind or like me be out of yours.... :P
I was a paytron for six years (went at least twice a year) before I began working at Fest.
This will be my fourth year working at Fest.
2005 - Safety Services Night Crew
2006 - Safety Services Night Crew
2007 - Safety Services Day/Night Crew
2008 - Entertainment
Sean
When I go to the Feast of Fantasy this year, it will be 24 years in a row of attending at least one feast or more a year, since the Feast started.
The Renaissance Festival out there is really neat too.
Ferret
Brandi and I met when we both lived in Georgia, during a brief time her and I broke up and she moved back home for a few years. I think that was around 1999. I came to visit one year and as luck had it, fest was running during the time I was here so she asked me if I was interested. I came for the first time around labor day weekend 2000 I think it was. When I returned, I continued to go to the Georgia fest. Sometimes with, sometimes without company. When Brandi and I got back together a year later, we came several weekends. But not the whole run. We started the season ticket passes during the 2001 season, and have attended ever since. My best recollection though, of when it came to be a full enjoyment for both of us, was when I joined here. That was back now three years ago. The highlight though, was when Brandi discovered the joy of coming in garb. It just keeps getting better every year since.
The first time I came to faire was around middle school with my parents, then the next year or so with a friend and her parents in garb. I went again a few times during high school and college, but two years ago was the first time I really tried to make it to more then once a season.
So I guess in a way, I'm still a ren baby.
The first time I went was in 1984. I worked there in 1987 or 88 for my Grandpa. Skipped a few years in between then and 95. Skipped a few years after that until 2003, and we have been going every year since.
Nick has been out there since the second year, he missed the first year because he didn't know about it going on until it was too late.
I have always worn garb out there.
The first time I went I was 12 so that would be 1992. I liked it so much I made garb and went back the next week. The next time I went was 1996, saw George for the first time and had a HUGE crush on him. Started attending every weekend in 1999 I think. Started pouring beer in 2003 or 2004, I can't remember which, I blame the amount of beer I poured down my throat. ;)
I first attended in 1978. It was wonderful and I was hooked. On Sunday mornings back then you would almost certainly find people still sleeping on the hay bails recovering from the Saturday nights activities. Site Bingo was very popular.
I 1st went to MNRF in 1984. For the next 10 years or so I went every year at least one time. There were several years in there I went more then once also.
Somewhere around the mid 90's my interest dwindled a bit. I think I went maybe twice until the late 90's, when I stopped going at all. In 2005, after about 6 years or so of having not gone, I went again.
I guess I realized what I had been missing then, and in 06 I went in garb for the 1st time. Been doing so ever since!
First year I attended was 1975 (could be 1974) however I have the aluminum mug from 1975. First year in garb 1976 and have pictures with Lancelot the Living Unicorn to prove it. Attended in garb and/or participated through 2001. Still make it out to MNRF at least once a year, although now Bristol is my home faire.
Dayna
My mom and grandma took me for the first time when I was 4 or 5 (I still have the little faerie costume they bought me that year). As far as any of us can remember we came back every year until I was in middle school when I started going several times a year with my friends. Took a couple years off when I lived in Missouri and started coming back in 1999.
I only started working at fest in 2003 when a friend suggested that me and my then gf just show up at C-gate one day and ask if we could work. I showed up around noon the Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. They asked if I was over 21 (ahem... far enough past at that point to get excited that they'd even asked) and basically ran me over to the mead booth half costumed where I learned to pour mead during the peak drinking time of the day. I loved it! Went home, made myself a costume with a little more boning and showed up ready to pour the next day.
If it weren't for a certain evil kitchens corporation I would still be happily pouring mead but alas, I decided that I couldn't put up with slave labor any longer. I'll still be around the mead booth working for Jim though. Only, I'll actually be able to TALK to people this year! Yay!
The wife and I have been going to Ren since 1975 so that puts it at 33 Years. We use to have our name in Bad Manor before that was nixed. All in all, we love the atmosphere and the people. And yes, I did make it to the Jonathan location the year before it was moved to Shakopee.
Yea....... Favorite story is when we use to go to the Feast and the old Sheriff Bill L. would try to talk Celtic Lass, AKA Celtic Lady, AKA Designated Driver, AKA Hey You! to go upstairs. That's when there was a stairway in the corner leading upstairs.. Wink Wink!
Quote from: peggyelizabeth on August 14, 2008, 08:02:30 PM
Quote from: groomporter on August 14, 2008, 10:37:59 AM
I'm old... :'(
not as old as some people I know...
Yeah I you know all those ancient St Andrew's Society and Coalition of Clans members...
I first went to fest in 1994, which is the year I moved to MN for college. I found out later I could have been attending from the age of around 6, because we would come to MN once a year to visit my grandparents. Part of the visit was a trip to Valleyfair. My parents knew about the festival, but didn't think me or my brother would be interested in it, so it was never brought up as an option. So many years missed out on....I could have been attending since 1981! :P
I think I pretty much qualify as the resident MNRF noob. Fest Friday '06 was my first time there. Then again little one has only made it out since '07.
I first went to the event when it was held at Jonathan, a few tents in a field, which was 1973. So, that's 35 years for me. I had a poster with a unicorn on it, from that year, but it was lost somewhere when I moved. Wish I still had that.
Quote from: groomporter on August 14, 2008, 09:27:45 PM
Yeah I you know all those ancient St Andrew's Society and Coalition of Clans members...
oh crap, some of them really are ancient!
Been going since 99, missed a few years when my girls were really little.
this will be our 12th year going, and our first not working in five.
I believe this is my 4th year at MNRF
2007 was the first time since 1977 or 78 if I remember right, just couldnt get the wife interested.............!
Went opening Sunday 2008 and will go at least two more times this year.
Let's see....I went closing weekend in 2002 as a playtron and then 2004 and 2005 as a playtron again. I've been working out there now since 2006. Of course, that's only counting how long I've gone to *this* faire. I'm currently refusing to think about how long I've been going to faire. Feeling "old" today.
I know that my wife and I went in '81, because two weeks after we went, she found out she was pregnant and was soooo scared because she found out that she liked wine way too much at the Faire.....Went every year after that until I lost her to cancer. Now my daughter(and her husband!) join me for at least one weekend every year, although I try to come out 3-4 times each year and photograph. I was out for opening day, and to pay respects to Snot. I don't brag too often, but I got some outstand images from that performance. I only wish I had a site to post them on to share. Somehow I'll get it done so all can enjoy! I hope to be out this weekend!
This was my 15th year.
It's my second year! Loved it the first, and loved it again this year!
(Two best moments this year:
1) Having two little girls latch themselves onto me for hugs and want to talk to me. There parents had a camera but there batteries were dead, so I lent them mine so that they could get the shot. The girls were sooo happy! (now I know how the cast must feel)
2) Dancing with the queen. I'm constantly amazed by how friendly everyone at fest is, and how committed they are to ensuring everyone has FUN! (Case in point...were out at the hobbit hole and a lady is taking pics of peeps sitting on the rocks on the water, holding up the line. A nun comes up to her yelling "My child! My child!". We all think she is gonna get in Sh*!, but the nun yells something along the lines of, "That's not right! Make sure you're in the picture!).
I LOVE THIS FAIRE!
Spoke too soon about NOT working!
Quote from: KeithR on August 26, 2008, 08:13:47 PM
I only wish I had a site to post them on to share. Somehow I'll get it done so all can enjoy! I hope to be out this weekend!
And easy site to look into is photobucket.com.
Been going to faire since 2000 and I have missed a few years in between.
Growing up in the Chaska/Chanhassen area, I've gone to fest at least once a year since I was about 10. Once John and I have got married, we go almost every weekend.
See I told you, it was all her fault. Now there's proof. You read it here.
Quote from: Nikita on September 02, 2008, 10:08:27 PM
Spoke too soon about NOT working!
Yay! :D You two impressed Missy out there last weekend. :D
Ok I am a newbie to the R/F (thanks Rage) but I have been going for 14 years this time... since I moved back to MN that is... ??? I have to say the years before I moved away are pretty fuzzy, too tough to count, so they must have been really fun too ;)
:D
I've been going off and on since 1997, when I first moved up here. No, wait...moved up in '96. Started attending in '97. Now I'm getting the young'uns into it....but they won't be attending this year. It just gets better every year!!!
Great to hear stories of people going back to the early days. Have been going more often the last 5 years. Also getting garb etc. Otherwise probably 12 years or so.
I am curious what the "Celebration of Nature, Art, and Life!" was all about if anyone remembers?
What I remember about it, is that it was just a few tents set up in a field, near Jonathan. We bought some bread and a leather belt. That was in 1973.
I've been going since the early 90's..I think junior high school age. I'd say 15+ years now. I used to just do one visit per year but the last 3 or 4 years I've done between 2-3 times.
Since 1982.
Penny Royal was my fav back then.
Since the Earl's and my first date was the Northern California Pleasure Faire in September of 1971, we have been attending the Minnesota Renaissance Festival on and off since 1979. We had lived in New Jersey and North Dakota prior before moving to Minnesota with IBM in 1976.
There were several years in the 80's we did not make it up, but have been regulars hardcore since 1997. I have a photo of Zilch when he was the Grave Digger telling Spoonerism stories. His hair was a mousy brown. Time flies when you're having fun!
I remember when Zilch was a grave digger too, and not a torysteller, AND when Carr played the Ratcatcher every weekend!
How about, what was their name "Sack Theater"? they had a big bag or box of props and would stage little plays of fairy tales on the street and recruit audience members to play roles in them.
Did someone already mention "Lancelot the Living Unicorn"?
Lancelot appeared at MNRF in the early 1980's and was a goat whose horn buds were surgically moved to the center of it forehead when it was very young resulting in the grow of a single horn. In 1984 the U.S. patent office granted patent number 4,429,685 to Timothy G. Zell for his development of a surgical procedure to create a "unicorn" from a horned animal. The basis for the patent was "Lancelot the living unicorn" bred by Timothy "Otter" Zell and his wife Morning Glory Zell.
http://www.lair2000.net/Unicorn_Dreams/Unicorns_Man_Made/unicorns_man_made.html
I remember that unicorn. I think the PETA peoples would be most upset with it now.
You're probably right considering the to-do it created at the time if you read the article I linked to.
Does anyone remember Arsine? I think his act was that of a mime magician from France. He used to do his act on the stage that the Tortuga Twins now perform.
I vaguely remember Arsine. I remember when the crown stage had a checker board painted on it too.
Our booth is literally right next to that stage, so I can recite the Tortuga's shows along with them.
Hence my general distaste for their show. Ironically, I don't get sick of Johnny Phoenix's shows.
I have been going to MNRF for 26 years. My parents used to take me out every year since I was 5!! I have not missed a year for 26 years!! Tom and I started going together a couple years before we were married..so 1997 or so?? We have not missed a day it has been open in 6 years, and we have gone to the Feast every year since 2003!! We have been season pass holders for 6 years, and this year is the first year Tom and I have worked there. We both LOVE it!! Tom loves playing for the Terpsicory dancers, and of course I LOVE Foaming Stein!!! Yay for BEER!!!
Quote from: GREENCHICK on September 23, 2008, 12:13:50 PM
I have been going to MNRF for 26 years. My parents used to take me out every year since I was 5!! I have not missed a year for 26 years!! Tom and I started going together a couple years before we were married..so 1997 or so?? We have not missed a day it has been open in 6 years, and we have gone to the Feast every year since 2003!! We have been season pass holders for 6 years, and this year is the first year Tom and I have worked there. We both LOVE it!! Tom loves playing for the Terpsicory dancers, and of course I LOVE Foaming Stein!!! Yay for BEER!!!
And we loves you Neato!!! ;D
YAY Beer Wench Chicks!!