Why I Love Ren Fairs – Part 2

I got off subject last time.  I promise to try and be a little more concise this time and stay on task.

Why do I love the Ren Fair?

First, would have to be the shows. I love live shows.  I love watching people with talent do what they like.  I love sittting in a crowd and even if I know the joke that Ded Bob is going to tell, waiting for that joke.  I like the act of finding the best seat and planning where I am going to sit when we come back for the R rated show.  I love the preshow.  Watching the Tortuga Twins work a crowd, watching the seats fill; there is nothing better.  The thrill of watching Dexter Tripp walk a slack rope, climb a free standing ladder and possibly set off a vest made of fireworks only to be pelted with balloons, is unparrelled.  Live shows are one of the things that sucked me into the Ren Fair but they are not the only thing.

Secondly, I would have to say that I love the marketplace.  I like to shop.  I love to browse the aisles.  I will admit that I have no problem accompanying my wife to the mall.  But I will tell you that I can spend hours going through the booths at a Ren Fair.  When you can combine a like of shopping with a love of swords, I am there.  Every other booth is jewelry, hand-made and otherwise.  The arms and armor booths are incredible.  Shiny bits of metal, polished stacks of leather and art work in every form, from metal to glass.  Add into that the hands-on nature of most Ren Fair booths and life is good.  Knowing that I can walk into the Sabersmith booth and handle any sword in the place makes me smile.  Being able to look at the wares of The Pirate Ship and ask questions of the folks behind the counters is a pleasure without measure.

Lastly, and the main reason that I love Ren Fairs is the people.  This includes the performers and the merchants.  The people running the food booths and the folks that are just attending are par none.  The people at every fair I have ever been to are the best.  Down to earth and good, the merchants are incredible.  They will tell you anything you want to know and if they don’t have what you are looking for they probably know someone that has the very thing that you need.  The performers like to spend time with their audience.  They don’t run from the crowd.  They desire the contact and the time spent with their adoring fans is time well spent.  We are not talking regular, fair folk here we are talking Ren Fair folk and they are amazing.  Go visit them.  Hang out for a while.  Spend your day getting to know your local, or not so local Ren Fair!

-Bobaganush the Pirate