Bad weather at Faire

[Laird Fraser of Lovatt]

Closing weekend, TRF, 2007.  Torrential downpours, sleet, gusty winds, temps hovering in the lower 40's... GREAT DAY! 

[Nighthawk]

Closing weekend, TRF, 2007.  Torrential downpours, sleet, gusty winds, temps hovering in the lower 40's... GREAT DAY!  

I'd love a day like that! The Ft. Lupton Heritage Days festival is usually fairly chilly.

I heard about that! I know the guys that run the games for that show and they were not very happy campers, Didn't you guys get rained out this year too? Oh for the folks not playing the home game here Elizabeth is like 20 miles east of the Colorado faire.

No, we didn't get rained out. Sunday actually turned out to be a rather comfortable day. It was a bit of a bust, though. I think people stayed away because of the threat of bad weather.

[Kiss-me-Kate]

I am glad to see Minnesota isn't the only one with bi polar weather.   

We can have a 98 and humid day (heat index of 110+) to 40 and snowing the next.   I have learned to have everything we need on hand.  (Or at least in the trunk) Chances are you'll need it. 

[Adriana Rose]

Yuppers the joke is wait 5 minutes the weather will change

[LadyFae]

Yuppers the joke is wait 5 minutes the weather will change

I say that about my kids's attitudes, too.

[KeeperoftheBar]

Closing weekend, TRF, 2007.  Torrential downpours, sleet, gusty winds, temps hovering in the lower 40's... GREAT DAY! 

I remember that day.  StudMuffin doesn't like rain and we were kept busy dodging the rain.
I much prefer the hot days as the ladies wear less.....

[stonebiscuit]

GARF, April 2007, we had a snow day. To be more specific, we had a snow day that turned into a sleet day, with some unholy snow/ice hybrid pouring onto us from the steely grey unforgiving sky. It was the worst day ever. 

[Orphena]

So...if the weather is bad... so bad that the stage shows cannot continue - what do you do? As performers? As Playtrons?

[Lady Kett]

Our motto is that there is no such thing as bad weather at faire, only unpreparedness!

Sidekick (my husband) packs the vehicle with every possible emergency covered. If he learns of a new one he doesn't have covered, it results in a field trip to the nearest appropriate store to cover it!

[Adriana Rose]

We layer up and hang in there when I am at the shop. Colorado has NEVER closed early!

I make sure my girls have their cloaks if its raining, if its cold I make sure they are layered up and then that they have warm drinks. When the cart girls come in at their breaks I have warm blankets to wrap up in.

As a playtron I head out yea I am a wimp but I tough it out while I work, I can come back the next day.

[Hoowil]

We stopped going to NorCal after a couple years ago, when it was over 115. That was the year that made them reschedule to whole run of the faire for a month later.
A few ago at Fair Oaks, it was hot, somewhere in the lower hundreds, and there were a number of forrest fires outside of town, to the point that the smoke was so thick it looked foggy. I have never been to a faire, even one as small as fair oaks with so few people there. It was kind of nice though, that the smoke and heat kept the mundane to playtron ration nearly undefinable. I saw maybe a dozen folks out of garb.
At Sonora two years ago we had a day that topped off at about 45 and was real windy. But for a faire that has been known to have snow, it wasn't too bad, but the wife and kids were not too happy. I've started lining the kids cloaks after that one, to help keep out wind. And my daughter now gets a flannel chemise for cold faires, and a linen one for warm ones.
Folsom two years ago nearly rained out, I think we cut our visit a few hours shorted because of it.
Over all, I think the cold and wet isn't as bad, as that is what cloaks are for. The heat is a real buzz kill.

[darkranger]

as long as no one is getting hurt, any weather is a good time at the fair...   

[lady M]

I agree with darkranger. Any weather is good weather when you're at faire with family and fairemily.

[Nighthawk]

as long as no one is getting hurt, any weather is a good time at the fair...   

That's my attitude, too! As my persona is a Scottish Highlander, I can be prepared for any and all weather pretty easily. You wear a great kilt in the heat, just let it hang and remove your doublet. If it rains/snows/gets cold, wrap it around yourself like a cloak and put your doublet back on! Great kilts are the perfect all-weather garment.

[daggrim]

Yes, I have to agree that period foul weather gear really works...a heavy wool cloak is versatile.  In the snow, turnshoes with a couple pairs of woolen socks and couple of leather insert soles works, with woolen legwraps called winklebanding, and even birchbark leggings.  Those old-timers knew what they were doing.
 
Wet feet in the mud is one problem, though, that you just need to live with...or not.  The one item that my wife and I bring to every fair is big rubber farmer boots that are worn over our socks.  I pull my trousers over them, and they're not really noticeable.  Then when the mud begins to dry, we go back to our turnshoes.  Having dry feet seems to add about 90% to the comfort level.  It even encourages me to get out there and lend a hand if needed.  I feel a little more invincible. 

Also, my round wooden shield functions well as an umbrella.