If you’ve never been to a Renaissance festival or faire, you may have acquired some strange ideas about what is involved. I just want to encourage you to give it a try if you never have, and I want to share some tips on how to get the most out of your experience! Renaissance faires are usually set during the reign of either Queen Elizabeth I or King Henry VIII and employ performers, artisans, food service people, grounds crew, and more.

Misconceptions

• You will see people in various types of period clothing, but keep in mind that a renfest is not a park full of men in tights and women in corsets, talking in strange accents and trying to force you to do the same. There are many levels of participation, and while some enthusiasts may not appreciate it, there are often just as many people in normal, present-day clothing as there are people in costume. Remember also that those are costumes. These people don’t dress that way all-year-round.
• No one is going to bite your head off for speaking in plain old modern English. In fact, they won’t even look at you strangely.
• If renfest-ers are strange for enjoying the experience, at least they’re nice weirdos. I’ve found that the vast majority of people I’ve run into at our local Renaissance Faire are very friendly people. You’d be hard pressed to find an unkind face there. It’s always a laid-back, fun day.
• There is more to do than simply watch a joust! Have you ever ridden an elephant? Have you tried your hand at archery? Have you tasted mead? These are just a few examples of fun things to try.

Getting the Most

My husband told me from the beginning, and I now tell you, that to get the most from a renfest, you really should allow yourself to participate. As much as you’re comfortable, at least. Here are some tips:

1. Wear period clothing if possible. The faire we go to has a costume rental just inside the entrance, where you can stop and be fitted for an outfit. They come in all sizes. I was worried about being too big, but they have sizes way larger than mine! Last year, I wore my own flowy divided skirt and rented just a blouse and vest, and it worked very well. This year, I’m wearing my own clothes, but we’re going to stop at one of the other costume shops inside the faire to look for a blouse to purchase. That way I’ll be able to enjoy going to the faire multiple times this year without worrying about costume rental. Your costume doesn’t have to be extravagant or uncomfortable, but it will help you get in the mood and to enjoy the spirit of the events. Have you ever wondered what people wore during that time period? What would it feel like to wear that clothing? I was very, very hesitant the first time, but I enjoyed it immensely!

2. Drink some mead. I know, I know. I don’t like beer either. And the mead is not much better. But a small cup is something you have to try at least once!

3. Eat a turkey leg, or at least part of one. Messy? Yes. Too much protein for one person? I’d say so. But there’s something goofy and fun about walking around in costume biting off chunks from a turkey leg. I don’t know how to explain it.

4. Visit the shops and watch the shows. It’s pretty fun to see glass being blown, bare-chested, fire-eating men, and belly dancers. Cheering for the jousters may be your thing, or trying  your knife-throwing skills. There’s a lot to do! Take your time and visit any interesting-looking shops. (One of my husband’s favorites is the shop that sells liquid candy tube things.)

5. People-watch. Yeah, there’s a lot to see and do, and you can keep moving all day and do  it all. But there’s also something fun about sitting down for a while and watching the other renfest-ers. Watch them interact, look at their costumes, and give your legs a break. You won’t be missing out; people-watching is, in my opinion, just as much a part of the experience as all the rest.

Scarborough Faire

Our local renfest is called Scarborough Faire, and it runs from April 10 – May 31 this year in Waxahachie, TX. If you’ve never been, I’d highly recommend it! They’re open on weekends, aside from that last Monday. Memorial Day is a big deal, and the last day to go.

Have you been to Scarby or maybe another renfest? What’s your favorite part of the experience? Or least favorite? If you’ve never been, why not?? Let me know in the comments!

Tumbles: Thank you for this clean towel. Don’t worry, I’ll lick it clean again before you put it away.

Tumbles is available for all your last minute tax-filing needs.

Hours April 14th 0900-0930, 1030-1200, 1300-1315, 1400-1445*

April 15th Please request appointment

*Hours subject to change based on napping/feeding schedule.

I just wanted to post a quick note about commenting on this website. I currently have commenting set up so that you do not have to register first. You simply have to enter your name, email address, optional website, and you’re good to go. This system makes it very easy for bots and mean people to leave spam all over my website, and I’m having to wade through it quite a bit.

If you do not want me to mistake your comment for spam, please say more than simply, “Nice blog,” in your comment. Be sure to make some kind of reference to the post that you are commenting on.

Comments that are vague may be deleted for spam. Please don’t take this personally. If spam becomes too much of a problem, I may have to turn on the registration!

1. I am changing my posting schedule. I’ve come to realize that the only problogs that have new content every day are those that have multiple people writing for them. As I am only human, and only one human, I’m going to cut back a bit and allow myself some breathing room. I will still post at minimum on Mondays, Tuesday, and Fridays. I may post more frequently than that on some weeks, but not as a rule.

2. You can comment on my posts without registering as a member on the website. Maybe you didn’t realize that, and maybe that’s why you’re lurking around in the shadows. Or maybe you are worried you have nothing constructive to add to the post or the conversation. Well, let me assure you that I want to hear your comments and I want to hear them without making you register. So.. Just saying.

It is one of three orders of chivalry that, rather than encompassing the entire UK, pertains only to one constituent nation: Ireland. The other two are The Most Noble Order of the Garter, which is England’s equivalent, and The Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle, which pertains to Scotland.

Saint Patrick came to be revered as the patron saint of Ireland by the eighth century. He was a Christian missionary to Ireland, and, according to Irish folklore, taught the Irish about the Holy Trinity by using the shamrock. March 17 is believed to have been the date on which he died, and it is the date celebrated as his feast day (St. Patrick’s Day).

While historically Saint Patrick’s blue was considered symbolic of Ireland, the national color is now green. Wearing a shamrock in one’s lapel to honor the day was a common practice as early as the seventeenth century, and it has grown since then to wearing green garments as well. (Video here)

It is believed that the tradition of drinking on St. Patrick’s Day came from its having served as a one-day break during the forty days of Lent.

These are just some interesting facts I found on Wikipedia. I’ve never really celebrated St. Patrick’s Day outside of wearing green so that I don’t get pinched. Maybe I should, though. I’m glad I looked into it!

I’m not a political person, nor do I keep up with the news or current events very well. But when I heard on the radio this morning that New Zealand is now making jet packs, I just couldn’t resist the urge to blog about it.

New Zealand’s Martin Aircraft Company just signed a contract to begin production of “the world’s first commercially available jetpack.” According to Fox news, the jetpack can take you theoretically as high as eight thousand feet in the air at the speed of 63 miles per hour. The range on the jetpack is 31 miles, but never fear – they say you can refuel at your local gas station!

You don’t even have to have a pilot’s license. All you need is $100,000. Not bad, huh? Of course, it seems that the rules and regulations are a bit confused, as yet. Fox news quotes Mike Adams as saying “It’s neither fish nor fowl. Is this regulated by the FAA or is it a personal vehicle like a bicycle or ATV? I don’t think anyone knows yet.”

The only downside I see is that it looks big and bulky and not very much like the I imagined. I think I’ll wait for the streamlined and cheaper version to come out. I bet they can do that in about five years, no?

Check it out: Video Demonstration