What do you think is the average age

[Sitara]

I have been attending ren fests since I was 12 (19 years ago) and have never once attended without garb. When I heard that I was going for the first time, I made my own outfit out of things I found in my closet. Granted, it was a horrible costume made from a bridesmaid dress and velvet shirt (turned into a pseudo bodice), but I was garbed nonetheless.

[Merlin the Elder]

The first time I went, I was in `dane garb...blended right in. Don't think a single soul noticed. I was 37...1989, I think.

[JCadden]

Though you see people from every demographic, I would have to agree with most that the 30 to 45-ers are the largest group.

[Maithu Ruadh]

I first went to the Faire when I was 21 back in 2000, but 2010 was the first time I dressed in garb. It was pretty goofily cobbled together, but I'm getting more historically accurate and looking forward to October/November at the Carolina Renaissance Festival.

[scarletnyx]

I've been going to faire since 1997 and had a full hand made outfit by me the next year at the age of 22. If I wanted something I saved for it and purchased it. The only time my parents got me something is if they got it during the season for birthdays and holidays.

To save up for our first full set of garb, my husband and I did absolultely -nothing- for a month and a half. You want that coke from the gas station? Put the money in the "Royal Treasurey" jar and go drink some water. No Whataburger, no movies... It was a boring month, yes, and many hours were spent on the couch or in the park, but it was all worth it when we both got our garb in the mail. As people on the younger end of the spectrum ( I'm about to turn 24, Alex is 27) I can fully attest to the money issue. It does help that I'm leaning more towards simpler garb, and that we have a few months in between seasons to recoup our finances. But I can see where the price tag for some of the nicer, higher end garb would put off some of the younger crowd.

Tis a shame, really

[Chelsy]

I've been going to faire since 1997 and had a full hand made outfit by me the next year at the age of 22. If I wanted something I saved for it and purchased it. The only time my parents got me something is if they got it during the season for birthdays and holidays.

Same here. I've been going to faire since I was 13 and haven't once gone garbless. True, my 13-year-old-self had a terrible outfit, but I've had 9 years to cobble together something I'm proud of. It's a hobby just like anything else. Of course, I spend less money on faire than other hobbies or whatnot because I unfortunately only get to faire about twice a year, but I still like to get myself something pretty when I can.

That said, I agree, most of people at faire seem probably 10-20 years older than me.

[insidiousraven]

Been going since I was a kid, but bought my first set of wench garb when I was 16, in 2003.  Been happily pumping money into garb ever since!

[LadyAsh]

I went to my first renaissance festival when I was fourteen, and have been going ever since. I have seen people of all ages at renn faires, but I think the average can range from late twenties to fourties/fifties?

[jackrocks]

we didnt start until mid-to-late thirties.

I was interested before that, but young kids take up a lot of money and time. Now that my kids are older, its more fun to go places with them...plus, my oldest ones are old enough to babysit the younger ones so we can go by ourselves sometimes.

I can't compare with anyone else bc I have no Faire friends. I actually don't know anyone else in real life who goes, or who cares about dressing if they did.

[amy]

Thank you for this thread...    I am 47 and started going after I was a Mom at at 29 or so.   So not only is faire now the one place where I feel most socially comfortable and accepted... I come to find out it is the one place I am statistically normal and average!   Tah Dah!!!!

[Alaric]

Been going for ages. Didn't start garbing until a few years ago. When I first started going I was too poor for garb. Now I take multi day rennie vacations and go to fairs all over. 

[Robert Phoenix]

My first faire and garb purchase was MN back in 1986 at the age of 26.  Really got in to it in 1990 and have going strong ever since.

[mehan]

No way Amy is 47 maybe one of her personas is 47, but I have seen her she is no more than 27 if she is a day. 

[amy]

    Smoochy Smoocy  Kiss Kiss....  I love you Mehan!!!!   

[BLAKDUKE]

Well having met lady Amy at TNRF last month I will have to attest that IMHO or IMNO or IMRO, she is no more than 30 - 35.   As a professional girl/lady watcher of 29 with 41 years of experience you can bank on it.  As to average age of playtrons, boy that is a hard one.  Pick a number and most likely you would be right.  I do admit it is getting harder and harder to do the walking.  With an 'itis' of all manner in every joint I own, I think there may even be some in joints I don't own, I tend to make maybe one round around the grounds and then head for the pub where I will spend the rest of the day getting all of my joints well lubricated especially the one just below my upper lip.