You may be asking why this blog was created. Well, initially it was an assignment for my English 101 teacher. But then I got to thinking, this may be something good. This could be a location where I can highlight Renaissance Faires in the Western United States., performers, merchants, and vendors. I can also keep a calendar of upcoming faires.
How did I get started with Renaissance Faires? It all started back in 2004 when I was asked to produce some T-shirts for the first annual Tol-Con (Council of Elrond) a complete Tolkien Convention. I did not know what a Renaissance faires was, but it was business so I produced the shirts and had them for sale at the event. At this convention my booth was next to the booth of Viking Leathers. I started chatting with the co-owner Jana and my eyes were opened to a brand new world. According to Wikipedia “Renaissance faires are outdoor weekend gatherings, usually held in the United States, open to the public and typically commercial in nature, which emulates a historic perios for the amusement of its guests." Most of these events bring Elizabethan England to life through song, dance, and performers. Faires are set in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, usually there is a performer appearing as Queen Elizabeth I other faires have Mary Queen of Scots it all depends on where the faire is set.
The next thing I learned is the word “garb”; this can mean 1) a fashion or mode of dress, 2) wearing apparel, or 3) outward appearance or form. These costumes are usually historic, fantasy, or religious in nature. I learned that you can rent, purchase or make your own garb. I was told that the biggest mistake people make is thinking that movie apparel is correct. There are some true historians at faires, others are just for show. It really depends on how active a person wants to be in the faire circuit as to how they want to obtain their garb.
As I watched the people at Tol-Con, I would catch myself staring. People were in full chain mail, animal skins, and just about anything else you could imagine from The Lord of the Rings. I heard a weird language, I wasn’t sure what it was later found out it was elvish. Really, Elvish?! This was another world and I found myself slowly being pulled in.
The next faire experience I had was at Port Angeles, WA. This was a renaissance/fantasy faire, with dragons, fairies and jousts. I got my first experience in the “what not to wear” in garb. I was asked to produce shirts again for this faire, and at the last minute I was told “you must be garbed on the faire grounds”. I literally ran to Great Costumes in Renton and purchased a wench costume. This was a one piece disaster. It could be ok for a Halloween costume but not renaissance faire. After this faux pas I worked my new friend Jana and started making my own garb. I have entered a new world and I’m finding that I love it.
