What is the #1 benefit that you get from a Renaissance Faire?

[Rapier Half-Wit]

Home.

[Sir Martin]

Friends, old and new, and escape from technological encumbrances. 

[iain robb]

Refreshment.

When I walk back into the office after a weekend at faire, I feel more refreshed than I do after a week or two of vacation or even traveling abroad. (Often, that's actually very draining.)

Not to minimize the value I place on the people. I think it's the people (and the music and the acts and the shopping) that I find so refreshing.

[Merlin the Elder]

I totally agree with Iain, Sir Martin, and Rapier, but will take exception with ALadyandFae. My spouse Nimue would never get away with leaving me at home so that she could go to faire! 

[Anna Iram]

Hey! No fair changing the title of this thread from "things" to "benefits"!   Now I have to repost...

Yes, I have a couple of friends I've made at faire that are dear....really only a few,   but then I've never been one for the tons of friends that others seem to aquire.

Faire, I guess, has given me the chance to integrate my fantasy self with my everyday self. To find out and shine out who I am, for better or for worse.

[DonaCatalina]

Hey! No fair changing the title of this thread from "things" to "benefits"!  Now I have to repost...

I do that occasionally to see if anyone notices.

[Merlin the Elder]

Benefits?!? Renaissance faires come with benefits now?  I'll need to inform my broker...

[Rapier Half-Wit]

Friends with benefits.

Wait...

What?

[Rani Zemirah]

Hey! No fair changing the title of this thread from "things" to "benefits"!  Now I have to repost...

Yes, I have a couple of friends I've made at faire that are dear....really only a few,  but then I've never been one for the tons of friends that others seem to aquire.

Faire, I guess, has given me the chance to integrate my fantasy self with my everyday self. To find out and shine out who I am, for better or for worse.

A few real friends are worth all the "friendly acquaintances" in the world...   

[Zardoz]

Friends for sure,
Friends with benefits? not yet anyway.

[BLAKDUKE]

FUN, FOOD, ALE, AND INTERACTION WITH PATRONS

[Merlin the Elder]

I've gotten all kinds of friends with benefits! Somebody is ALWAYS handing me something to drink!

[Molden]

Honestly? ME to begin with! "Molden" had long lingered under the surface...but right after my divorce, being "thrown into the deep end" of faire, and learning first-hand the community that is Fairemily, and the MANY adventures, discoveries, friendships, betrayals... to quote Zorba the Greek "the whole catastrophy!". 

I would not trade one dot of my experience as it has built upon me in ways I would have never imagined!

[scarletnyx]

The first thing that pops to my min is a sense of belonging. I'm a "quiet awkward" girl, I only really feel complete/confidant with Alex at my side or in bookstores. Until faire, that is. The first time going in Danes was eyeopening, the first time going in Garb was even more so. I don't have to hide the fact that I have tattoos, or that I am more earth centered than most people. I don't have to hide the fact that I am of dual sides, and for every moment I have a peaceful moment, I also have a pretty thrill seeking, brazen streak.

Faire has helped me to find these things in myself, and is still helping me flush myself out after a very confusing past 7 years.

[Bonny Pearl]

I've gotten all kinds of friends with benefits! Somebody is ALWAYS handing me something to drink!

Especially when it is their turn to buy lol! 



For me, it's about being able to just breathe and be myself around people who are doing the same and don't judge.  It is also very rejuvenating.