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Both Ida and I enjoy Renaissance Festivals/Faires.
RenFaires are gatherings of folk who are interested in playing in a setting other than our current mundane one. Some of these folk are sticklers for detail (and would have sewage runnning in the streets for authenticity if they could get away with it). Others are just there to party.
We are somewhere between those extremes
(we're prudently not specifying exactly where we fit on this spectrum).
AFR?
We participate in the UseNet newsgroup alt.fairs.renaissance. Some of the folk there refer to themselves as "Otters". Others get highly upset being categorized or labeled in any way. In any case, they are a diverse and fun group with a great deal of knowledge and experience with faire. If you want to understand faire prior to attending one, drop by and lurk for a bit. If you want specific questions answered, just ask -- we seldom bite and do enjoy the occasional kittening!
Click the Otter to link to AFR NewsGroup
Virtual Scrapbooks
Among The Faires Which We Attend
| Date
|
Faire |
Location |
Notes |
No Meaning |
|
2003
|
Smithville, TX |
Established in 1999. Hey, the Tudor Tarts perform here ... 'nuf said!!
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2003
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Norman, OK |
Established in 1976. This is kind of a merchant's faire (read garage-saleish).
There are some acts and they are, for the most part, excellent.
If you want to purchase garb items for faires you will be attending later
in the year, this is the place - prices were noticibly reasonable!
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2003
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Scarborough Faire |
Waxahachie, TX |
Established in 1981. We try to attend this faire two weekends a year. It is probably the most "family-oriented" of the faires we attend. We must recommend visiting on Memorial Day. By tradition, many of the performers work up special acts for this holiday. In particular, The Rogues do a very moving version of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes dedicated to all of the men and women lost in the service of their country! |
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2003
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Muskogee, OK |
Established in 1996. Muskogee is a faire with a lot of character - well, that kind of follows considering it is one of the few that have a castle that is not made of plywood (grin). There are a large number of merchants and performers - many of them quite good. |
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2003
|
Larkspur, CO |
Established in 1976. Everything is up-hill from where you are and the sky is so blue! Probably the best thought out jousting facility we have ever seen. |
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2003
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Kansas City, KS |
Established in 1977. A large, heavily organized faire. The grounds are quite pretty and well kept and heavily populated with craftsfolk. |
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2002
|
Texas Renaissance Festival
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Plantersville, TX |
Established in 1981. Located just a little North of Houston, TX. This is one of the oldest and largest renfaires in the area. New this year is a webcam which allows you to visit the faire site (during daylight of course) to see the activities going on in your absence. |
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2002
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Stroud, OK |
Established in 1999, this faire is just beginning. It made a good showing for its first year. The second year had several permanent structures on the site. They are progressing - kind of a fledgling Hawkwood. |
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A Listing of the Faires We have Attended and when We Attended Them
FAIRE / FEST |
EST |
82 |
83 |
84 |
85 |
86 |
87 |
88 |
89 |
90 |
91 |
92 |
93 |
94 |
95 |
96 |
97 |
98 |
99 |
00 |
01 |
02 |
03 |
04 |
Lewisville Celtic Fest (TX) |
2000 |
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1 |
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? |
Excalibur Fantasy Faire (TX) |
1999 |
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1 |
2 |
? |
Medieval Fantasy Faire (Norman, OK) |
1976 |
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2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
? |
Scarborough Faire (Waxahachi, TX) |
1981 |
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1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
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1 |
1 |
1 |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
? |
Castle of Muskogee (Muskogee, OK) |
1996 |
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2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
? |
Colorado Renfaire (Larkspur, CO) |
1976 |
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1 |
2 |
4 |
? |
Kansas City Renfest (Bonner Springs, KS) |
1977 |
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3 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
? |
Shrewsbury Renfest (King's Valley, OR) |
1996 |
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? |
Maryland Renfest (Bowie, MD) |
1977 |
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2 |
? |
Hawkwood Fantasy Faire (Roanoke, TX) |
1996 |
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1 |
3 |
2 |
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King Arthur Pendragon (Stroud, OK) |
1999 |
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1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
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? |
Alabama Renfaire (Florence, AL) |
1987 |
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1 |
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? |
Yukon Celtic Fest (OK) |
???? |
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1 |
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? |
Lousiana Renfaire (Hammond, LA) |
2000 |
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1 |
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? |
Texas Renfest (Plantersville, TX) |
1975 |
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4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
? |
Some of the Performing Groups We Enjoy at Faire
| Group |
Home Base |
Notes |
CD/Tape Available? |
Samples on Website? |
| Houston |
A very energetic bagpipe and drum group. They are a lot of fun! |
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| Canada |
A wonderful highland dance group which blends comedy with dance skill. Give our regards to the haggis and the sheep! |
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| Dallas / Fort Worth |
Love the harmony! Occasionally they sing with Queen Anne's Lace! |
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| Dallas / Fort Worth |
Love the harmony. Occasionally they sing with The Corsairs! |
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| Austin area |
You might want to leave the wee ones parked under a tree with a sitter while you sample these young ladies' talents! |
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| The Bard O'Neal |
??? |
A remarkable lady with the ability to corrupt the most devout cleric. She is a delight to listen to. |
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| Houston |
Traditional ren-fare. They do many of the same songs that everyone else does at faire. Then again, they occasionally do some really strange stuff! |
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| Houston |
A wandering minstrel/singer. A great guy and wonderful to listen to! |
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Some of the Vendors We Can Recommend at Faire
| Vendor |
Home Base |
Notes |
Contact |
| Dark Rose Creations |
Dallas TX |
Beautiful Chainmaile, Tickle Tassels, Headresses, Handflowers, and other wonderful things. Greg and Rick make neat stuff - we own several pieces made by them. |
