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Recent posts
#1
Mundane Topics / Re: Re: Two words!
Last post by laedyfaire - April 26, 2026, 05:05:32 AMtime flies
#2
Squire's Tavern / Re: What Exactly Is A Ren Gath...
Last post by Patrick - April 25, 2026, 04:18:35 PMHi!
The gatherings I have been to were years ago, 2010 and 2011, and were called Winter Renstock, taking its name from Woodstock. This was in southwest Pennsylvania for people from the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival, and some from the Great Lakes Medieval Faire. It would be held in February or March so all of us could be together without waiting for those two faires to open, which are in the months of July, August, and September.
These were weekend events, with people sleeping overnight, and were held at either a county park facility or a friend's place in the country who had lots of land.
Events were music, acts, magic, stories, games, door prizes, food, and I forget what else. Many were in garb. I won a large amount of green tartan fabric which I had made into a kilt.
Sadly, drama within the group tore it apart and there has not been another Winter Renstock since 2011.
There was another place we would gather. One of our group, Terry Griffith, had a monthly gig year round at Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle Irish Pub in Pittsburgh, and when we were still a close knit group, we would pack the place every time he played. Terry had been a professional musician for decades, playing Irish music, before he started playing at faire.
That's my experience of a ren gathering. I hope others will talk about their experiences.
Patrick
The gatherings I have been to were years ago, 2010 and 2011, and were called Winter Renstock, taking its name from Woodstock. This was in southwest Pennsylvania for people from the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival, and some from the Great Lakes Medieval Faire. It would be held in February or March so all of us could be together without waiting for those two faires to open, which are in the months of July, August, and September.
These were weekend events, with people sleeping overnight, and were held at either a county park facility or a friend's place in the country who had lots of land.
Events were music, acts, magic, stories, games, door prizes, food, and I forget what else. Many were in garb. I won a large amount of green tartan fabric which I had made into a kilt.
Sadly, drama within the group tore it apart and there has not been another Winter Renstock since 2011.
There was another place we would gather. One of our group, Terry Griffith, had a monthly gig year round at Mullaney's Harp & Fiddle Irish Pub in Pittsburgh, and when we were still a close knit group, we would pack the place every time he played. Terry had been a professional musician for decades, playing Irish music, before he started playing at faire.
That's my experience of a ren gathering. I hope others will talk about their experiences.
Patrick
#3
Squire's Tavern / What Exactly Is A Ren Gatherin...
Last post by Craigmeister - April 25, 2026, 12:10:12 AMI remember seeing posts on these forums years ago about Ren Gatherings. What would happen at Ren Gatherings? Was it just like a day-long picnic for Rennies in a certain area to discuss Renfaires? Would some people break out guitars or drums and sing? Would jugglers or acrobats show up and have an impromptu performance?
#4
Mundane Topics / Re: Extra Words for Threads [T...
Last post by KiltedPrivateer - April 17, 2026, 08:45:33 AMFound an interesting article about faires. Nice little piece.
https://theconversation.com/as-renaissance-fairs-become-big-business-can-they-retain-their-counterculture-roots-273757?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c524600ae150759b081e
https://theconversation.com/as-renaissance-fairs-become-big-business-can-they-retain-their-counterculture-roots-273757?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4c524600ae150759b081e
#5
Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival / Re: Blow the dust away...
Last post by Patrick - April 15, 2026, 01:44:11 PMI occasionally drop by here but it looks like most people have forgotten or just don't bother. Such a shame, it was such a grand time here, however brief after we learned about this place. I do like to look through the old posts.
#6
Mundane Topics / Re: Re: Continue the thread
Last post by Patrick - April 13, 2026, 11:11:48 AMWhatever the problem was before, the site is nice and fast now.
#7
Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival / Re: Radio Personal Appearance
Last post by Patrick - April 13, 2026, 11:08:05 AMAll three of Terry's appearances on the Saturday Light Brigade can be found here.
Terry was on the show on June 21, 2008, June 20, 2009, and November 17, 2012.
Terry was on the show on June 21, 2008, June 20, 2009, and November 17, 2012.
#8
Mundane Topics / Re: Re: Continue the thread
Last post by KiltedPrivateer - April 12, 2026, 02:28:42 PMhush puppies make seafood better
#9
Mundane Topics / Re: Answer my question with a ...
Last post by KiltedPrivateer - April 12, 2026, 02:19:43 PMHow did we get here?
#10
Mundane Topics / Re: Re: Two words!
Last post by KiltedPrivateer - April 12, 2026, 02:16:39 PMthrough time