I've had friends that have done performances at RenFaires. For show interactions they won't pick people in costume for two reasons. 1. If clothing gets damaged, it's a lot more expensive to replace unique costume pieces than t-shirts and sunglasses and 2. People dressed like normies are a lot less likely to have seen the show before so they won't know what's coming
Also, I'd imagine a normie is probably going to be a bit of a rube when it comes to the roleplaying aspect, so you're more likely to get some laughs out of them, and they are easier to lead. You pick someone who is an old hand, they might get a little too into it and hijack your show. Also people trying too hard is rarely funny.
To anyone on the east coast, I can't recommend the Maryland Renaissance Festival enough. It's a full village's worth of permanent medieval themed buildings full vendors, food, shops, and games. They have so many stages with live music and shows, as well as a jousting arena. You really can spend the entire day there and still have more to do, and the tickets really aren't very pricey. I believe they open in late August and stay open until October. Edit: It's located in Annapolis, the capital of Maryland about half an hour east of DC
@@adamolupin Jaques Ze Whipper tours to multiple faires, but MD is one of them :) And I second Matt's recommendation. It's wonderful, and one of the best part is that it's about 70% in the shade and has a lot of seating around.
@@agjul I'm disturbed yet I totally understand them. that $1 pickle I got from a sketchy bucket of pickles at my local ren faire was the most refreshing thing I had all day tbh
I am a fellow pale girl who works Renaissance faires and I've just come to accept that sunscreen isn't really enough. You really have to cover up, because sunscreen will only 'work' for a few hours so unless you're slathering it on constantly you're still gonna burn. A very light fabric shawl over your chest, longer sleeves, a hat, parasol, etc. are really a must for us pale girls.
@@Vagitarian01 Right. Hence why I said you have to reapply. A lot of people do not. I know, cause I watch them burn by the end of faire and listen to them say "but I put on sunscreen this morning!"
@@Vagitarian01as a fair skinned Scottish linage yank that grew up in the Middle East, I can fully vouch for this. Your skin absorbs the lotion after two hours.
As someone who worked at Ren Faires from 1998-2006, traveling the US, being a full time rennie, making armour and jewelry- having more garb than clothing, i even was a squire for a jouster who went on to use some of my armor in filming A Knights Tale with Heath Ledger as he was a stunt rider for the film- being a rennie changed my life and was amazing.
Awesome! I worked our local faire from 2007-2019. I was in the background of "All's Faire" which was a direct-to-video movie shot mostly on our grounds. Not as cool as your movie, but it did star Christina Ricci, Ann Margaret, Matthew Lilard and Cedric the Entertainer.
I make headpieces and honestly $42 for a flower crown is not bad. I price mine anywhere from 20-60 based on the materials and complexity. For something like that I would have charged a little less (~30) but I'm in louisiana and I assume everything in california is more expensive lol
You all put lots of love into your products, most people aren't used to custom hand made products and have a hard time appreciating just how difficult it can be.
I work at a flower wholesalers and flowers aren't cheap! Died or not! I'm also qualified to be a florist and have made flower crowns/circlets before, shit is not easy! $45usd is around $67aud so I thought that was pretty reasonable! Expecially for what was likely a small business at a event that would cost quite a bit to have a stall at
@@Memento_Mori_Morals Exactly. I don't mind supporting small businesses who make homemade goods. But a lot of people are selling goods that aren't homemade for the same price. Etsy is a prime example. You have to dig and double check to make sure you aren't buying from a whole seller.
@@Floratic yeah. I spoke to one of the soap makers there and it was obviously handmade and she knew her stuff. She spoke about how rampant it is to see people buying and reselling stuff even in soap/skincare.
I did security at this Faire last year! I wish I could have done it again this year, it's such a great place to be. Working at the faire is even more fun than going. Pro-tip: if you're dehydrated and need water and can't/don't want to pay $6, ask security or guest services, we do not want anyone to pass out lol.
I was going to say, I make wreaths and flower crowns and the quality of the flowers looks fantastic. I think it was fair for the quality and time they probably spent on it😊
I went to a faire for my 12th birthday in 1992 and the flower crown I got that day is still one of my most wondrous treasures and in remarkably good shape (faded a bit but so am I, I suppose.) I think it was around 20 (not hugely expensive but in the “something special because it’s your bday” price range) and I would gladly pay what you did today for such fine craftsmanship!
What she didnt say was the prices on some of the other crowns. Some of them were $30 for very cheap qaulity, another had rather simple but nicer ones for $20! A soap maker was up charging several hundred percent and I was kinda disgusted by that tbh. At least 400% profits... a lot of these booths had very over priced items sadly... it made it hard to find the handmade and actually fairly priced stuff.
The (very) cheap little knife you got is actually a Sgian Dubh, a knife worn with traditional Scottish dress. Basically there was a tradition of surrendering weapons before an event, and the Sgian Dubh was a boot knife, or a sock knife in this case. Idk if many other places in the US have Highland Games or like Scottish festivals, but they tend to be very interesting and might make for a good video.
As a New Zealander I’m shocked that they didn’t have free sunscreen available for attendees, over here every event that takes place outside will have big containers of sunscreen on poles all over the place for people to apply and reapply as needed! We do have a big hole in the ozone layer right above most of the country so skin cancer is a big problem but I would be shocked if I went to an outdoor event and the organisers didn’t provide any sunscreen.
That’s such a smart idea! Whilst I live in the U.K. we do occasionally have weather hot enough for sunscreen and I would love free bottles available at events. Definitely not the norm from what I’ve seen around the world.
@@emilia123zz Honestly you should have sunscreen if you're outside even with cloud coverage. The UVs that can cause cancer don't get stopped fully by clouds so you can end up with higher cancer risk without the warning of getting a sun burn.
Yes! I was shocked! I never realized how lucky we are about sunscreen at events! I wish we had Ren faires in NZ though, I've been to the medieval fest and viking fest but they are so small!
As a former therater kid, can confirm that I am a menace at ren faire. Its so much fun and the actors love how into it I am. I cant wait to go again this year
Colorado's renfaire is permanent and the culture there is insane. Not just amongst the patrons but a ton of the vendors fly/drive in to spend the entire summer just camping out on the faire grounds. I'd highly suggest working at the renfaire for a summer. Nothing quite beats the experiences and I work EDM concerts most summers.
The wee blade you bought looks like a Sgian-dubh (pronounced: skee-an doo) which is a traditional Scottish blade that has more than a good 1000 years of history. Sgian-dubh is a Scottish Gaelic (pronounced gah-lick) word that translates to hidden knife because it could be concealed into your kilt hose (thick woollen socks) and be used in protection if ambushed but mostly used as an eating and meal preparation tool. Sgian-dubhs generally start at about £30 ($40) and go above £100 depending on the material used for the handle - staghorn is my favourite handle choice.
Honestly as women we really gotta get back into wearing cloaks 😂 they’re warm, no body or outfit shaming, I can hide poisoned apples under them and give them to anyone prettier than me…
I remember first time I went to ren fair as a kid I pointed to this beautiful costume I wanted my grandma to buy for me. She looked at the price and said “just use your imagination”😭😭 then eventually sewed one for me
I started working at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire back in the late 90s. Stopped I think at around 2012 or 2015? Anyways, you make me want to start working it again. I loved being part of the performance of helping people feel immersed into the faire. Have so many great memories and stories. Also a lot of fun times after hours playing D&D and being giant nerds with other workers. The big secret to putting together your outfit for the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is to either make the stuff yourself, or drive down to one of the other many faires in SoCal. They usually will have much cheaper wares. I've heard good things about the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival from some of the people I use to work with at the RPF. I was thinking of checking it out this year.
"I tried witchcraft so you don't have to." I swear to god if I don't see that video at some point. 😂 The only sunburn remedy is to take a cool shower immediately after you realize you got burned. And then keep the skin moisturized, especially with aloe. And sunscreen. You can also use a topical pain relief spray that is cooling on areas that are extra crispy and super painful. Natural redhead. I feel you. 💜
Best sunburn remedy I can recommend if you get very sunburned is to either sleep with slightly damp pajamas or under a slight damp sheet. Draws the heat out of your skin as water saps heat faster than air does. I got a severe sunburn in the med last year, lobster red by the evening. I slept under a damp sheet covering all my skin, and then draped a damp tank top over my face using the armhole as a breathing hole 😂 woke up with no redness though and slept very comfortably
At my first renaissance faire, I was browsing stuff and this super cute girl was walking my general direction. I sucked in my gut as if I stood a chance with her. Then I hear a booming voice from above me shout "Don't hide your gut, flaunt it! The larger your gut, the more status you have and the lassies will flock to you!" Looking up toward the balcony, some blacksmith dude smiling with his gut on full display. So I let my gut fly. She looked embarrassed and kept on going. The dude said something along the lines of You gave it your best and was not enough and kindly pointed me to the food court to work on my technique. 10/10 would do again.
I've worked at renaissance faires for almost twenty years now, and I still love working and attending them. It's such a fun, welcoming game and environment, and only gets better as a patron the more you play along.
I ran into one of those book guys when I was in college and had like $5 to my name. He had the audacity to talk to me while I was walking with headphones to ward off people talking to me. I thought he was giving me the books at first and I made a really happy free-book-recieving gesture, then he pulled them away and asked me for money 🤣
The big ren faire here is in Houston, TX around November! The weather is usually soooo nice and in an actual forest so you aren't baking in the sun. They also have overnight camping there and events at night! Most fun I've ever had at a faire.
Fellow recovering theater kid here and WOW YEP I'm a high-visibility audience participation mark lmaooo!! I'm constantly projecting "you're doing great sweetie" energy through eye contact and body language 😅 My non-theater friends are painfully aware of the risks when sitting near me -- chances are high the performer will make a beeline straight to us.
Omg!! Can’t believe there were Welsh cakes at a ren fair in California of all places?! hope you enjoyed them, they’re a traditional Welsh staple and pretty iconic to us ahaha❤️
The Welsh Baker is a fantastic and delicious company, I always buy several items from them when I go to this faire! They're made by a Welsh native who immigrated to Southern California in her early years, and now we are blessed with her yummy family recipe!
OMG WELSH CAKES. I can attest their amazingness! I order them at intervals throughout the year! 10/10 will always recommend The Welsh Baker for treats! And their Griddle Shortbread is also delicious.
My flatmates Welsh boyfriend has started to bring welsh cakes every time he visits, not even got his girlfriend just for me because I demolish them in about 10 seconds
I get my costumes from holy clothing, they’re made to order dresses and they’re really pretty and well made. My dress combo was about $100, which is still a lot but pretty good for this type of costume
Holy clothes is lovely but they are hand dyed so please remember they run the first few times you wash them. I missed a white sweater the washer and accidentally died it lavender with a Holy clothes Acadia dress 😅 luckily my sister didn't mind the color change.
As a ✨certified Renn faire girlie✨ who’s been going to the Bristol Faire for over a decade this was exactly how I expected it to go for you Amanda! Not enough sunscreen, lots of trinkets, and lots of fun! I have been dressing up in fits since high school so it’s so exciting to finally have adult money to buy things with adult money at faire. I would love to see you go to other faires because I’ve only been to Bristol (which I 10/1 recommend) and try different activities. I did a pub crawl all of one time and that was enough lol knocked me out and had me drunken peasant style so I would always tell people to do that. Ugh I’m glad you had fun! This was a great video 😊
Glad to see someone else recommending the Bristol, WI Ren faire! It's a beautiful permanent campus that is whimsical with lots of large old growth trees, cool buildings, quality vendors, variety of entertainment and way better food that at this faire. I go every summer and multiple times when I can!
i perform at a ren faire and the minute you started talking about purchasing clothes, i knew exactly where you were going. the prices are exorbitant and i don't even make enough working there to buy any of it
Wow... sadly not shocked thou, I couldn't afford this stuff when I had a job that paid several bucks above minimum wage let alone now getting under 50% of minimum.
I'm screaming at the description of this as Disney for theater kids. I never did improv or theater and have always been shy, but I simply _transform_ when I go to Ren Faire. I like to go as one character and try to develop her more and more each year. Bįtch stomping boots are indeed a necessary part of that 😌
I have been going to the NY Ren Fair every year for almost 30 years 😭 I raised my son going, I got my bffs going & now their kids too! I look forward to fair season soo much!
I used to go to a ren fest in Ontario and honestly it was always a great time. They had the Theatre In the Mud or something where they would do Shakespeare or Dante's Inferno (like 20 minute versions) but with/in the mud. There was also Zoltan the Adequate who was a magician/sword swallower kind of guy and he'd be like "was that the most amazing thing you've ever seen??" and we'd all yell "NO, just ADEQUATE!" Great time.
For buying a costume, I love holy clothing. My dress was like $100 which is a lot for me, but I love it. Haven't been to a Ren faire to wear it yet but I've worn it to a lot of cons. I've made my own flower crowns and cloaks before, but I haven't made my own dress since I was a kid (and my grandma did most of it anyway).
Holy Clothing makes gorgeous stuff, but it isn't Renaissance clothing. It's Hippy chic, maybe fantasy elf, if you altered it a bit. *None* of it's period in the slightest. It's good for costuming if you're doing a fantasy outfit, but it'd require a fair amount of modification. Except for the cloaks I've seen them make. Those're lovely. Though it's been a while since I've seen their catalogue. Maybe they've changed some things.
So glad you had a good time! Many people visit multiple faires in a year because they all have such different feels and entertainment! 😁 I perform music at Ren fairs and am so happy to see more people finding out about them online! The Georgia one is going on now and the Ohio Ren faire is coming up in September and is amazing!
Yay!! I always go to the Irwindale faire and it's so much fun!!! Im going in 2 weeks! So happy you had fun!! Im going in a full on Tudor dress this year that I sewed by hand!
@@jaysonsh1958 thanks! I'll probably post it on my Instagram for family and friends to see, I'm just happy because I had to Remake it because I lost so much weight it was falling off lmao
for east coast ren faires, i highly recommend the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. it has a lot of shade which is really nice, it has permanent buildings, their joust has pyrotechnics, and it's held at a winery so there's non-ren faire stuff to do too. very fun!
Yes to ren faire content! I want to go to my local one again this fall. Last time I: -dressed up as a vaguely fantasy version of my sun sign (historical accuracy be damned i guess) -spent too much money on perfume and looseleaf tea -got thrown in wacky silly ren faire jail
Speaking as a former Ren Faire cast member, if one of the actors comes up to do a bit with you, and you keep it going, you win so many gold stars and will get a glowing review in the dressing rooms at the end of the day.
Growing up as a kid my dad and all his friends were super into ren fairs, amazing folks and sure it felt a bit culty, but wholesomely. I always loved the group of us going together to a restaurant in garb at the end of the day. It's one of those rare things where kids and adults can equally have fun at the same event.
AMANDA!!!! I'm so glad you finally went!!! You really have to visit one of the faires set in a permanent village. I've only been to the one in MD, but there are a few around the country that have friggen mermaid tanks. Also, LOVE the Vanessa Mooney fit!!!! Last year I made a sequin dress a la Kylie Jenner's fairy costume, some mini fairy wings, and wore giant platform Bratz doll looking boots. I've never felt more fabulous and free and I CANNOT wait to go again this summer 🧚♀️ I really love how immersive the faires are and how genuinely friendly and body positive the atmosphere is 💜
I got my Ren Faire costume at my local Scottish Highland Games Festival. It is an over skirt, underskirt, and under shirt. I’ve slowly added accessories over the years. Granted, the base costume was quite expensive, but I do truly feel it was worth the money. I highly recommend goodwill/thrifting though as a cheep alternative.
Never clicked on a video so fast! I love the Rennaissance Fair. Went to my first one last year, the Bristol Rennaissance Fair. Love the costumes and participation! It's too much fun! Glad you enjoyed yours! ❤
Welcome to the Ren Fest crowd! I've been going to my local Faire since about 2010, and I keep going back. I've found our local Faire always feels like a very welcoming and open place - a lot of quirky outfits and people just having a good time. It's a great place to spend all your spare money, though. And yeah, a good cloak does cost a small fortune. Even buying the fabric to make your own can be pretty cost-prohibitive.
Actual sunburn recommendation (from being outside every single day for a summer and almost never wearing sunblock because I'm an idiot), lush massage bars. They're super moisturizing, not sticky like aloe vera, and also smell good. I used an entire bar on my neck and shoulders over about a month of particularly bad recurring sunburn.
I'm from Florida, we would go to the Hoggetowne Faire every single year in Gainesville and have the best time. I met a wonderful couple who owns a small company called Wood, Willows, and Whatknots and I bought incense and wooden plaques from them EVERY YEAR. When I moved to Tampa for college, I went to the Ren Faire there that year as well. I SAW THE COUPLE THERE AGAIN! Fast forward several years, I have moved to Missouri, and I go to the Kansas City Ren Faire. I SEE THEM THERE. JERRY AND LISA. I BOUGHT SO MUCH INCENSE. They are so kind and if it weren't for ren faires, I wouldn't have found a small company I really enjoy supporting. They travel around the country in an RV and do ren faires year-round, which is not something many vendors can comfortably do. Also, definitely recommend getting a cape with a hood. Very useful when faires are in the fall like the KC one is, and the Hoggetowne Faire is in January but it's Florida so that's a mixed bag.
Used to go to Ren Faires all the time in Florida. I even volunteered in one to get high school credits in like 2001/2002. Favorite weekend is Pirate weekend. Soooooooo much fun. Burned every single time no matter how much i bathe in sunscreen because my skin sucks annnnd its Florida sun lol. We went a few times in Los Angeles, the traffic was always insane, but so was Floridas. The wenches and the mud guys were always my favorite. I don't believe they do the mud show anymore unsure I havent been in a while, planning to go in Colorado.
I grew up going to Renaissance Faire mostly in SoCal with my whole family. We've done guilds, vending, and we would make our own costumes (my moms had a business making clothes for others and it basically paid for us to go yearly) I remember many summers spending days at faire. I love taking new people to faire who have never gone. I'm so glad you had fun! I'm sorry you got so burnt. I'm also very pale, shade and re-applications of spf are a must. The best is the faires that you can camp at for a midday nap and your own snacks and drink at your campsite especially if you get over stimulated. The afterparty can be just as fun as the faire.
I’ve been going to the renaissance faire as our yearly tradition and never been approached by someone to buy their books 😳😂 Some tips: 1. If you want to save some money, you can purchase tickets on site at their box office. They do not charge tax or service fee as they do online and have various discounts. I have AAA and for 3 tickets came out to $37 a piece. We were lucky and there was no line to wait in. 2. Sundays are somewhat less busy than Saturdays. 3. SUNSCREEN. Even for your scalp. My sister and I one year got terrible sunburns on our scalps and shoulders. Ever since then I bring a parasol ☂️. Fresh aloe Vera is your friend after getting burn. 4. Wear comfortable footwear if you don’t care if they clash with your outfit. 5. Bring cash. Paying with card? You will now be charged tax.
The main Texas ren-fair (Todd Mission, Texas) has a huge camping ground and it gets WILD at night. Lots of mead, fire, drums, and little sleep. It's also open from the first weekend in October until the last weekend in November and has different themes each week. HIGHLY recommended.
The Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, TX is a good time. The owner is a little infamous but the faire itself is a great time. Their fireworks show at the end of the day is intense and very cool, and there are shows throughout the day that are neat.
The summer between 11th and 12th grade, I worked the RenFest in Atlanta, GA. I Started as The Town Crier, the guy that runs around screaming News and what events may be starting soon or nearby. 2 days in, I got Drafted by the Joust crew. The Joust is basically a traveling company who gets hired each season to perform the show for a season. Like the "...Well" show and Gunfight shows at places like 6Flags and Dollyworld. I was a Squire, who basically ran around in harms way, avoiding being hit by horses and knights, as well as avoiding horse "piles". Ours was more than just a Joust, though it ended with one. One of my other jobs was holding rings out to my side and Praying that the horses, running at my body from two different sides, as their riders tried to Spear the Rings from my hands, didn't just run me over. Otherwise, I grabbed horses when knights fell or were knocked off and ran around , making jokes and quips at people and flirting with girls. It was a pretty exhausting yet Amazing summer!
Been to Renfest in Maryland (where I live) and 1) loved the random non-renaissance costumes sprinkled throughout the festival and 2) absolutely loved the food...which is not conducive to healthy eating, but is absolutely delicious!
When I tell you I'm so excited to watch this as I fell in love with going to the PA Ren Faire last year with my mom, we went 1 day a weekend for 9 out of 11 weekends last year. We just bought our season passes for 2023 and IM SO EXCITED. Opening weekend Aug 19 and its a birthday bash for Queen Elizabeth this year!
OH HELL YEAH THIS IS MY KIND OF EVENT 😤 And yes, I too want to live at the ren faire. Every year I turn it into a big friends trip. I make a new costume every year, we eat junk food and drink bee stings all day, and spend way too much on handmade crafts. After the nightly cannon fire and revelry as people exit the faire, we head to an exceedingly fancy Italian restaurant located in a partially abandoned strip mall. We eat until we're ready to pass out and head back to the Airbnb for movies 🧚🏿♀️🧝🏼🧜🏽♂️
I've been going to the Texas Renaissance Festival for more than 20 years, and I can tell you that most of the clothing is hand-made. So you can expect it to be a little more expensive. I've learned to do leather work so that I can design and make my own costume!
As someone who has a long list of friends tied to the Ren Faire scene (and being a retired LARPer myself), it is indeed a rabbit hole you can fall very, very far down into.
Im actually a cast member at the KC ren fair! Im so glad you had such a fun time i was a little worried when i saw you had a ren faire video lol I was pretty much nodding along to the while thing because "yup thats how ren faire be" (including the pickle obsession on tiktok which is bc theyre a good source of electrolytes that's time period appropriate so it becomes a bit of an obession out there) and i almost cried seeing the Washing Well Wenches! They have a stage here but they werent able to come to us last year because one of the original wenches passed on. I'm so glad you were able to see them, theyre definitely one of the best ren faire shows on the circut.
Yeah, training day one is safety, day two is improv acting. My ex used to travel with a troupe, and says it basically an improv comedy theater group, year round.
amanda i think you would LOVE oregon country fair! absolutely huge 3 day hippie fest that started as a ren fair. fully volunteer run with performers, acrobats, art, anything your heart could dream of!
That Renaissance faire has been a family tradition for my family since as long as I can remember. It's honestly our favorite, and when I was in high school I would right before AP testing as a moment to celebrate before the final cramming.
I love ren faires and i'm so glad you had a blast at the one you went to!!! If you're ever interested, there's the Bristol Ren Faire in Wisconsin (very close to Chicago)! It's got a lot of permanent structures, and only runs on weekends July through the beginning of September. People were so nice and it was a blast when I went. I think my fav thing aside from the vibe and the costumes people wear is seeing all the handmade goods people bring to sell! The leather accessories, the jewelry, all of it. I just love hand crafted things.
Finally went to my first Ren Faire last year, and I’m blessed enough to live real close to the Texas one (like, close enough that it’s genuinely embarrassing I didn’t realize it was close to me). I’m hooked and literally after the couple big purchases I’d been saving for before I went are taken care of I’m saving up to get a whole dress or outfit next year
I was just at a renfair two days ago and I love them so much! Tho pushing around my friend in his wheelchair through the mud was exhausting That’s something many fairs can work on Planks on the grass or so would be amazing to make them more accessible
Im biased. I think the Ren Faire in my state's the best cause they have The Royal Feast. Basically buy ticket (we got them for so cheap cause my moms hospital got them for the staff), You go into this huge building where the king and queen sit to 1 side and you watch jesters, jugglers, belly dancers with camels, and sparring competitions while eating the best food, like *Pippin singing to Denethor, the Steward of Gondor* levels of good. While the ladies pour mead and wine. We did that almost every year we were in the states. They'd give the coolest handmade ceramic mugs and other stuff as souvenirs. Everything there was pretty much handmade. There was weapons, clothes, decor. I would do the axe throwing every year since Im an implement arts competitior and I love watching grown men get shocked. Ahh good memories.
For sunburns, use fresh aloe vera, it should help!! I always have a plant on hand We had a renfair where i live in florida and the poor performers were asking about the heat... on a day where it was considered 'nice' out for us lol. I had so much fun and am definitely going next year, I would recommend getting elf ears because they're just fun to add a little fantasy to your costume :)
What a delightful surprise to see you upload a Ren Faire video! I live in Illinois, so it's been a yearly tradition to go to the Bristol Renaissance Faire on the Wisconsin border with my DnD squad. My friend's dad also makes chainmail as a hobby, so I have quite a few photos of me eating gelato in full, heavy mail. It's legit. We also do the Pub Crawl, which I'm super into because of the mead and the fun pins you get each year. Highly recommend trying the cheese fritters and the chicken teriyaki if the California faire has them!
My late teens self was looking forward to turning 18, and going on my 18th birthday to buy a pretty sword. Actually turning 18, my dad was in the hospital, and I visited him, went to my favorite pizza place, and saw New Moon, where movie Bella also turned 18. I am that many years old and also a November Sagittarius (yes, also invested in hunger games because November archery). I also graduated with movie Bella in Eclipse. The first thing I actually got to do with the privilege of being 18 was sign and hand back a field trip form without a parent signature.
You’re actually brilliant:) Jenny did the original, Amanda can do the follow up and show if things have changed! (She certainly has experience reviewing disasters!)
Watching Amanda describe the Washing Well Wenches filled me with such joy. They are absolutely one of my favorite parts of the Ren Faire. I also think it's funny we both made the same mistake that ended in chest sunburns. Although I got mine when I went pre-covid.
I love the Irwindale Ren Faire! We go every year and every year I sun burn so bad. I swear there is no ozone right over the dam recreation area, because nothing I have done has helped prevent it. I too have been on the lookout for a cloak, but its hard to find the 'right' one.
I like to sew, so I enjoy the renfaire as an opportunity to show off all my work. This year I made my stays, chemise, skirt, cap, skirt hike, fan holster and mug frog. I did finally splurge on a wooden mug this year, so I have to go back for the next 20 years to get enough use out of it. Also, we took Uber from the Irwindale metro station and it was a great choice.
I am obsessed with going to the ren faire. Mine is always super crowded since it's small, but they're expanding a bit this year so hopefully that helps. I definitely want to travel the states and go to all the faires!
Don’t feel bad on the cost of that garland. Unique hand crafted items are always going to cost more. If you factor in that it may have taken an hour to make ($10-15), a few dollars in materials ($5), offset for fair seller booth costs ($5). You’re looking at $25 in base cost; a 40-50% markup is very reasonable. And if you don’t feel that you could make the same quality for less, and enjoy it. $40-55 is very fair.
Used to go to the Renaissance Faire in Northern California. Lots of fun, but has been getting too expensive recently. Still love going from time to time. For post-sunburn, I suggest Maui Vera Sunburn Relief gel. I put it in the fridge before using, helps with the burn and with the skin peeling.
I've been to the irwindale ren faire a couple times this season, I must have just missed you! I love ren faires and here's what I always bring: Cash, around $20 per meal, extra for shopping Plenty of sunscreen Sun hat or parasol or both Reusable water bottle- there are water fountains (free) Hand fan or spray bottle fan for the heat Comfortable shoes Face mask or scarf for the dust- put on sooner rather than later, when you start seeing dust kicked up Comfy clothes for the drive home
Every year from like age 12 to age 21 my family went to the Ren Faire. We only stopped due to the pandemic. Imagine - three theater kids, two dnd nerds. Ren Faire. The thing about the costumes - usually you just buy like 1 or 2 pieces a year, and you budget for it in advance.
I used to work the Irwindale faire and this was a nice slice of home, I've missed that Faire in particular. The dude with the pack of stuff is a much beloved character among the performers and has been around for a while, he's always a lot of fun to interact with as a patron! It's always fun to come on a theme weekend if you have something that fits costume wise (I love both Pirates and RenCon weekends, RenCon in particular because it's fun seeing everyone in their cool cosplay!). I highly recommend checking out the Reefe if you like bawdy shows, specifically the Poxy Boggards and the Merry Wives of Windsor. I don't know about the Boggards, but the Wives also do a clean show in the mornings usually, and there are a couple other musical acts I love who I enjoy off the Reefe. If Moonie is still performing, his shows are always a good time as well. Also, if you want more of that good former theater kid interaction, I recommend finding Shakespeare, the Queen, and the Puritans. All the groups are a lot of fun to interact with, but Shakespeare and the Queen are both great people, and it's always fun to mess with the Puritans. The various guilds also usually love interacting with people, especially people doing trades. I have a friend who does some of the weaving/loom work with one of the guilds near the front and she has mentioned that she loves explaining what's happening to people!
I've been to a ren faire in michigan a few times, but i only ever spent money on the food bc it was so good 😂 the washing wenches perform in michigan too! I loved seeing their show
I know this video is a year old, but apparently the face wash called Noxzema is good to put onto a sunburn. You just slather it onto dry skin and wait for it to dry or evaporate or whatever. I’ve tried it and I’m not sure if it really made it heal faster or not, but it did feel nice and cool.
“hello fair maiden” “oh fuck we’re starting” 💀💀💀
Forreal like sir I need to transition to Fair mode before you m'lady or fair maiden me 😂
😂😂
wiggling into costumes in the car is such a tradition
Oh no not getting recruited in the parking lot.................
Getting dressed in the parking lot is part of the experience!!
Learning how to get into and out of garb while not flashing people in the car is an important faire skill!
That and the sunburn!
Realllll
I've had friends that have done performances at RenFaires. For show interactions they won't pick people in costume for two reasons. 1. If clothing gets damaged, it's a lot more expensive to replace unique costume pieces than t-shirts and sunglasses and 2. People dressed like normies are a lot less likely to have seen the show before so they won't know what's coming
That makes way more sense than what I was thinking thanks for the insight
I knew point 2, but point 1 I had not considered. Well played😊
Also, I'd imagine a normie is probably going to be a bit of a rube when it comes to the roleplaying aspect, so you're more likely to get some laughs out of them, and they are easier to lead. You pick someone who is an old hand, they might get a little too into it and hijack your show. Also people trying too hard is rarely funny.
You could become a Renaissance channel and Faire hop to the various ones around the world constantly. That would be dope
Somehow I don't think we'll be getting her to niche down anytime soon lol
i would 100% support this shift in content
@Collin Gerberding She could still do review videos lol I'm pretty sure faires aren't every day
@@_doodles01 She could still do reviews since they aren't daily things 😔
I thought ren faire was only an American thing.
To anyone on the east coast, I can't recommend the Maryland Renaissance Festival enough. It's a full village's worth of permanent medieval themed buildings full vendors, food, shops, and games. They have so many stages with live music and shows, as well as a jousting arena. You really can spend the entire day there and still have more to do, and the tickets really aren't very pricey. I believe they open in late August and stay open until October.
Edit: It's located in Annapolis, the capital of Maryland about half an hour east of DC
Is that the one that has Jacques Ze Whipper?
@@adamolupin Jaques Ze Whipper tours to multiple faires, but MD is one of them :) And I second Matt's recommendation. It's wonderful, and one of the best part is that it's about 70% in the shade and has a lot of seating around.
@@adamolupin he’ll be there opening weekend this year, but otherwise he’s in Massachusetts
@@marsgirlly Gotcha! I knew he was based on the east coast somewhere, but I wasn't sure where.
It's located near Annapolis in a town called Crownsville. The setup is permanent and it's a great experience! I go every year with friends.
Considering this was a “Pleasure Faire” all I could think of was the selection of medieval dildos, chastity belts and Iron Maidens and such.
Same
Stay away from Sherwood Forest.
0:56 Apparently there are Tiktoks of people deep throating pickles there so 👀😂
@@agjul I'm disturbed yet I totally understand them. that $1 pickle I got from a sketchy bucket of pickles at my local ren faire was the most refreshing thing I had all day tbh
That's the ren faire after dark! But it's invitation only...
I am a fellow pale girl who works Renaissance faires and I've just come to accept that sunscreen isn't really enough. You really have to cover up, because sunscreen will only 'work' for a few hours so unless you're slathering it on constantly you're still gonna burn. A very light fabric shawl over your chest, longer sleeves, a hat, parasol, etc. are really a must for us pale girls.
👆👆...ʟᴇᴛ's ᴛᴀʟᴋ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ.❤️..
This is actually the rule for sunscreen always. It's supposed to be reapplied every 2 hours.
@@Vagitarian01 Right. Hence why I said you have to reapply. A lot of people do not. I know, cause I watch them burn by the end of faire and listen to them say "but I put on sunscreen this morning!"
@@DimaRakesah 100%
@@Vagitarian01as a fair skinned Scottish linage yank that grew up in the Middle East, I can fully vouch for this. Your skin absorbs the lotion after two hours.
As someone who worked at Ren Faires from 1998-2006, traveling the US, being a full time rennie, making armour and jewelry- having more garb than clothing, i even was a squire for a jouster who went on to use some of my armor in filming A Knights Tale with Heath Ledger as he was a stunt rider for the film- being a rennie changed my life and was amazing.
Awesome! I worked our local faire from 2007-2019. I was in the background of "All's Faire" which was a direct-to-video movie shot mostly on our grounds.
Not as cool as your movie, but it did star Christina Ricci, Ann Margaret, Matthew Lilard and Cedric the Entertainer.
@@sherrimakesstuff3112 Whaaat?! Even Matthew Lilard? That sounds just as if not more cool to me lol
I worked a few faires in the New England area as a vendor and yeah completely life changing. Wouldn't trade the experience for anything.
I make headpieces and honestly $42 for a flower crown is not bad. I price mine anywhere from 20-60 based on the materials and complexity. For something like that I would have charged a little less (~30) but I'm in louisiana and I assume everything in california is more expensive lol
You all put lots of love into your products, most people aren't used to custom hand made products and have a hard time appreciating just how difficult it can be.
I work at a flower wholesalers and flowers aren't cheap! Died or not! I'm also qualified to be a florist and have made flower crowns/circlets before, shit is not easy! $45usd is around $67aud so I thought that was pretty reasonable! Expecially for what was likely a small business at a event that would cost quite a bit to have a stall at
@@chelseahill1293 yeah for that crown but there were much cheaper qaulity crowns being sold for the same amount.
@@Memento_Mori_Morals Exactly. I don't mind supporting small businesses who make homemade goods. But a lot of people are selling goods that aren't homemade for the same price. Etsy is a prime example. You have to dig and double check to make sure you aren't buying from a whole seller.
@@Floratic yeah. I spoke to one of the soap makers there and it was obviously handmade and she knew her stuff. She spoke about how rampant it is to see people buying and reselling stuff even in soap/skincare.
Crying at a random stranger's pretend ren faire wedding is such a mood. Love is beautiful and I'm gonna cry about it, dammit!
Swell’s excitement is always so, so contagious
this is so true
Truly! I was scrolling trying to decide what to watch and new I’d have a good time watching some swell.
I did security at this Faire last year! I wish I could have done it again this year, it's such a great place to be. Working at the faire is even more fun than going. Pro-tip: if you're dehydrated and need water and can't/don't want to pay $6, ask security or guest services, we do not want anyone to pass out lol.
The Maryland RennFest has a free water dispenser by the first aid booth for this exact purpose and it's saved my life so many times
To be fair, if you dress up and go all out it's better to just be a playtron than work there 😂
Follow the call of PIIIIICCKKKLLLLLLESSSSSS and you'll find pine tree.
$42 is a great price! Thank you for supporting a vendor/maker! Also love the yellowjackets reference 👏🏻
I was going to say, I make wreaths and flower crowns and the quality of the flowers looks fantastic. I think it was fair for the quality and time they probably spent on it😊
I went to a faire for my 12th birthday in 1992 and the flower crown I got that day is still one of my most wondrous treasures and in remarkably good shape (faded a bit but so am I, I suppose.) I think it was around 20 (not hugely expensive but in the “something special because it’s your bday” price range) and I would gladly pay what you did today for such fine craftsmanship!
@@Slowplaymae also $20 in ‘92 is definitely a lot more than $20 today!
What she didnt say was the prices on some of the other crowns. Some of them were $30 for very cheap qaulity, another had rather simple but nicer ones for $20! A soap maker was up charging several hundred percent and I was kinda disgusted by that tbh. At least 400% profits... a lot of these booths had very over priced items sadly... it made it hard to find the handmade and actually fairly priced stuff.
@stevie vaughan true, I didn’t even think of inflation
The (very) cheap little knife you got is actually a Sgian Dubh, a knife worn with traditional Scottish dress. Basically there was a tradition of surrendering weapons before an event, and the Sgian Dubh was a boot knife, or a sock knife in this case. Idk if many other places in the US have Highland Games or like Scottish festivals, but they tend to be very interesting and might make for a good video.
There was a LOT of Scottish representation at the Faire... thou a lot of it was pretty off, they were good humored about errors.
YES Highland Games, I wanna see Swell go to one and watch them yeet telephone poles (cabers)
Its pernounced like skene du. Sock knife worn out of respect because in your sock you're not hiding it.
As a New Zealander I’m shocked that they didn’t have free sunscreen available for attendees, over here every event that takes place outside will have big containers of sunscreen on poles all over the place for people to apply and reapply as needed!
We do have a big hole in the ozone layer right above most of the country so skin cancer is a big problem but I would be shocked if I went to an outdoor event and the organisers didn’t provide any sunscreen.
That’s such a smart idea! Whilst I live in the U.K. we do occasionally have weather hot enough for sunscreen and I would love free bottles available at events. Definitely not the norm from what I’ve seen around the world.
@@emilia123zz Honestly you should have sunscreen if you're outside even with cloud coverage. The UVs that can cause cancer don't get stopped fully by clouds so you can end up with higher cancer risk without the warning of getting a sun burn.
this is a great idea! i have never seen free sunscreen out here in california before but we need it!
Yes! I was shocked! I never realized how lucky we are about sunscreen at events! I wish we had Ren faires in NZ though, I've been to the medieval fest and viking fest but they are so small!
That's awesome, I've literally never seen sunscreen at any outdoor event
As a life-long ren fest goer, Pleasure Fest is an absolute bucket list faire.
Everyone says it’s the oldest in the country and it looks INCREDIBLE!
As a former therater kid, can confirm that I am a menace at ren faire. Its so much fun and the actors love how into it I am. I cant wait to go again this year
Colorado's renfaire is permanent and the culture there is insane. Not just amongst the patrons but a ton of the vendors fly/drive in to spend the entire summer just camping out on the faire grounds. I'd highly suggest working at the renfaire for a summer. Nothing quite beats the experiences and I work EDM concerts most summers.
The Colorado Renfaire is amazing. If you go in costume it is a treat
Love that place!! Lived in Castle Rock for 20 yrs and never missed it when was open...spent and drank so much !!
The wee blade you bought looks like a Sgian-dubh (pronounced: skee-an doo) which is a traditional Scottish blade that has more than a good 1000 years of history. Sgian-dubh is a Scottish Gaelic (pronounced gah-lick) word that translates to hidden knife because it could be concealed into your kilt hose (thick woollen socks) and be used in protection if ambushed but mostly used as an eating and meal preparation tool. Sgian-dubhs generally start at about £30 ($40) and go above £100 depending on the material used for the handle - staghorn is my favourite handle choice.
8:31 a cloak you can have forever! I 100 percent agree :) I adore my cloak that I spent too much money on lol
Honestly as women we really gotta get back into wearing cloaks 😂 they’re warm, no body or outfit shaming, I can hide poisoned apples under them and give them to anyone prettier than me…
I remember first time I went to ren fair as a kid I pointed to this beautiful costume I wanted my grandma to buy for me. She looked at the price and said “just use your imagination”😭😭 then eventually sewed one for me
I started working at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire back in the late 90s. Stopped I think at around 2012 or 2015? Anyways, you make me want to start working it again. I loved being part of the performance of helping people feel immersed into the faire. Have so many great memories and stories. Also a lot of fun times after hours playing D&D and being giant nerds with other workers.
The big secret to putting together your outfit for the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is to either make the stuff yourself, or drive down to one of the other many faires in SoCal. They usually will have much cheaper wares. I've heard good things about the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival from some of the people I use to work with at the RPF. I was thinking of checking it out this year.
"I tried witchcraft so you don't have to." I swear to god if I don't see that video at some point. 😂 The only sunburn remedy is to take a cool shower immediately after you realize you got burned. And then keep the skin moisturized, especially with aloe. And sunscreen. You can also use a topical pain relief spray that is cooling on areas that are extra crispy and super painful. Natural redhead. I feel you. 💜
Best sunburn remedy I can recommend if you get very sunburned is to either sleep with slightly damp pajamas or under a slight damp sheet. Draws the heat out of your skin as water saps heat faster than air does.
I got a severe sunburn in the med last year, lobster red by the evening. I slept under a damp sheet covering all my skin, and then draped a damp tank top over my face using the armhole as a breathing hole 😂 woke up with no redness though and slept very comfortably
At my first renaissance faire, I was browsing stuff and this super cute girl was walking my general direction. I sucked in my gut as if I stood a chance with her. Then I hear a booming voice from above me shout "Don't hide your gut, flaunt it! The larger your gut, the more status you have and the lassies will flock to you!" Looking up toward the balcony, some blacksmith dude smiling with his gut on full display. So I let my gut fly. She looked embarrassed and kept on going. The dude said something along the lines of You gave it your best and was not enough and kindly pointed me to the food court to work on my technique. 10/10 would do again.
Lmao, as a chubby dude myself that made me smile. Renfaires can be such a wholesome space sometimes.
I've worked at renaissance faires for almost twenty years now, and I still love working and attending them. It's such a fun, welcoming game and environment, and only gets better as a patron the more you play along.
I ran into one of those book guys when I was in college and had like $5 to my name. He had the audacity to talk to me while I was walking with headphones to ward off people talking to me. I thought he was giving me the books at first and I made a really happy free-book-recieving gesture, then he pulled them away and asked me for money 🤣
The big ren faire here is in Houston, TX around November! The weather is usually soooo nice and in an actual forest so you aren't baking in the sun. They also have overnight camping there and events at night! Most fun I've ever had at a faire.
omg yesss TRF!!! its so great
Fellow recovering theater kid here and WOW YEP I'm a high-visibility audience participation mark lmaooo!! I'm constantly projecting "you're doing great sweetie" energy through eye contact and body language 😅 My non-theater friends are painfully aware of the risks when sitting near me -- chances are high the performer will make a beeline straight to us.
Omg!! Can’t believe there were Welsh cakes at a ren fair in California of all places?! hope you enjoyed them, they’re a traditional Welsh staple and pretty iconic to us ahaha❤️
The Welsh Baker is a fantastic and delicious company, I always buy several items from them when I go to this faire! They're made by a Welsh native who immigrated to Southern California in her early years, and now we are blessed with her yummy family recipe!
OMG WELSH CAKES. I can attest their amazingness! I order them at intervals throughout the year! 10/10 will always recommend The Welsh Baker for treats! And their Griddle Shortbread is also delicious.
My flatmates Welsh boyfriend has started to bring welsh cakes every time he visits, not even got his girlfriend just for me because I demolish them in about 10 seconds
Amanda is 5’2?!
Queen gives off 5’7 and above energy.
I get my costumes from holy clothing, they’re made to order dresses and they’re really pretty and well made. My dress combo was about $100, which is still a lot but pretty good for this type of costume
Holy clothes is lovely but they are hand dyed so please remember they run the first few times you wash them. I missed a white sweater the washer and accidentally died it lavender with a Holy clothes Acadia dress 😅 luckily my sister didn't mind the color change.
As a ✨certified Renn faire girlie✨ who’s been going to the Bristol Faire for over a decade this was exactly how I expected it to go for you Amanda! Not enough sunscreen, lots of trinkets, and lots of fun! I have been dressing up in fits since high school so it’s so exciting to finally have adult money to buy things with adult money at faire. I would love to see you go to other faires because I’ve only been to Bristol (which I 10/1 recommend) and try different activities. I did a pub crawl all of one time and that was enough lol knocked me out and had me drunken peasant style so I would always tell people to do that. Ugh I’m glad you had fun! This was a great video 😊
Glad to see someone else recommending the Bristol, WI Ren faire! It's a beautiful permanent campus that is whimsical with lots of large old growth trees, cool buildings, quality vendors, variety of entertainment and way better food that at this faire. I go every summer and multiple times when I can!
i perform at a ren faire and the minute you started talking about purchasing clothes, i knew exactly where you were going. the prices are exorbitant and i don't even make enough working there to buy any of it
Wow... sadly not shocked thou, I couldn't afford this stuff when I had a job that paid several bucks above minimum wage let alone now getting under 50% of minimum.
I'm screaming at the description of this as Disney for theater kids. I never did improv or theater and have always been shy, but I simply _transform_ when I go to Ren Faire. I like to go as one character and try to develop her more and more each year. Bįtch stomping boots are indeed a necessary part of that 😌
I have been going to the NY Ren Fair every year for almost 30 years 😭 I raised my son going, I got my bffs going & now their kids too! I look forward to fair season soo much!
👆👆...ʟᴇᴛ's ᴛᴀʟᴋ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ.❤️
I used to go to a ren fest in Ontario and honestly it was always a great time. They had the Theatre In the Mud or something where they would do Shakespeare or Dante's Inferno (like 20 minute versions) but with/in the mud. There was also Zoltan the Adequate who was a magician/sword swallower kind of guy and he'd be like "was that the most amazing thing you've ever seen??" and we'd all yell "NO, just ADEQUATE!" Great time.
Oh and he had trained rats, which was delightful.
I miss the ontario Renaissance festival so much! Going to the Oxford Renaissance festival in October and trying to keep my expectations reasonable
Zoltan the Adequate also performs at the Michigan Renfest and is a favorite of ours.
@@bluebyyoufuThat's so cool. Does he still have the rats or has he upgraded to capybaras by now?
For buying a costume, I love holy clothing. My dress was like $100 which is a lot for me, but I love it. Haven't been to a Ren faire to wear it yet but I've worn it to a lot of cons. I've made my own flower crowns and cloaks before, but I haven't made my own dress since I was a kid (and my grandma did most of it anyway).
Holy Clothing makes gorgeous stuff, but it isn't Renaissance clothing. It's Hippy chic, maybe fantasy elf, if you altered it a bit. *None* of it's period in the slightest. It's good for costuming if you're doing a fantasy outfit, but it'd require a fair amount of modification. Except for the cloaks I've seen them make. Those're lovely. Though it's been a while since I've seen their catalogue. Maybe they've changed some things.
So glad you had a good time! Many people visit multiple faires in a year because they all have such different feels and entertainment! 😁
I perform music at Ren fairs and am so happy to see more people finding out about them online!
The Georgia one is going on now and the Ohio Ren faire is coming up in September and is amazing!
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʜɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ👆ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ👆👆ɪ ɢᴏᴛ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ✍️....❤️...
Yay!! I always go to the Irwindale faire and it's so much fun!!! Im going in 2 weeks! So happy you had fun!! Im going in a full on Tudor dress this year that I sewed by hand!
omg that’s amazing, seriously wish there was a way to post pics in the comments bc your hard work really needs to be appreciated 🫶🏻
That sounds dope as hell, I hope you have an amazing time and get tons of compliments on your dress!
@@jaysonsh1958 thanks! I'll probably post it on my Instagram for family and friends to see, I'm just happy because I had to Remake it because I lost so much weight it was falling off lmao
for east coast ren faires, i highly recommend the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. it has a lot of shade which is really nice, it has permanent buildings, their joust has pyrotechnics, and it's held at a winery so there's non-ren faire stuff to do too. very fun!
Yes to ren faire content! I want to go to my local one again this fall.
Last time I:
-dressed up as a vaguely fantasy version of my sun sign (historical accuracy be damned i guess)
-spent too much money on perfume and looseleaf tea
-got thrown in wacky silly ren faire jail
"We have a big problem... I want to live in a Renaissance Faire permanently" girl same lmao
Speaking as a former Ren Faire cast member, if one of the actors comes up to do a bit with you, and you keep it going, you win so many gold stars and will get a glowing review in the dressing rooms at the end of the day.
Welcome to another episode of "not a cult but feels like a cult"
😂😂 it's the only cult I'll willingly join
I mean... it's a good cult 😂
Growing up as a kid my dad and all his friends were super into ren fairs, amazing folks and sure it felt a bit culty, but wholesomely. I always loved the group of us going together to a restaurant in garb at the end of the day. It's one of those rare things where kids and adults can equally have fun at the same event.
Krishna is definitely a cult. They're nice though. They worked with my uni and would make us food on Wednesdays on the lawn
I mean what’s a fun group activity without a bit of a culty vibe lol
AMANDA!!!! I'm so glad you finally went!!! You really have to visit one of the faires set in a permanent village. I've only been to the one in MD, but there are a few around the country that have friggen mermaid tanks.
Also, LOVE the Vanessa Mooney fit!!!! Last year I made a sequin dress a la Kylie Jenner's fairy costume, some mini fairy wings, and wore giant platform Bratz doll looking boots. I've never felt more fabulous and free and I CANNOT wait to go again this summer 🧚♀️ I really love how immersive the faires are and how genuinely friendly and body positive the atmosphere is 💜
I got my Ren Faire costume at my local Scottish Highland Games Festival. It is an over skirt, underskirt, and under shirt. I’ve slowly added accessories over the years. Granted, the base costume was quite expensive, but I do truly feel it was worth the money.
I highly recommend goodwill/thrifting though as a cheep alternative.
I LOVE THE REN FAIR!! So glad you went! I go to the one in Minnesota and they do a show where men wrestle in mud
😮 sounds awesome
When you said $5-$10 donation for printing the book, then you held up that pamphlet I died 💀😂
Never clicked on a video so fast! I love the Rennaissance Fair. Went to my first one last year, the Bristol Rennaissance Fair.
Love the costumes and participation! It's too much fun! Glad you enjoyed yours! ❤
Welcome to the Ren Fest crowd! I've been going to my local Faire since about 2010, and I keep going back. I've found our local Faire always feels like a very welcoming and open place - a lot of quirky outfits and people just having a good time. It's a great place to spend all your spare money, though. And yeah, a good cloak does cost a small fortune. Even buying the fabric to make your own can be pretty cost-prohibitive.
As someone that grew up going to Ren Faires and became a theatre kid, this makes me so happy!
Actual sunburn recommendation (from being outside every single day for a summer and almost never wearing sunblock because I'm an idiot), lush massage bars. They're super moisturizing, not sticky like aloe vera, and also smell good. I used an entire bar on my neck and shoulders over about a month of particularly bad recurring sunburn.
I grew up in Rennie culture since I was a child (i'm almost 40) and your enthusiasm in this video made my day.
"I'm always on the hunt for a good cloak"- Wizards and Amanda apparently lol.
Same though.
I'm from Florida, we would go to the Hoggetowne Faire every single year in Gainesville and have the best time. I met a wonderful couple who owns a small company called Wood, Willows, and Whatknots and I bought incense and wooden plaques from them EVERY YEAR. When I moved to Tampa for college, I went to the Ren Faire there that year as well. I SAW THE COUPLE THERE AGAIN! Fast forward several years, I have moved to Missouri, and I go to the Kansas City Ren Faire. I SEE THEM THERE. JERRY AND LISA. I BOUGHT SO MUCH INCENSE. They are so kind and if it weren't for ren faires, I wouldn't have found a small company I really enjoy supporting. They travel around the country in an RV and do ren faires year-round, which is not something many vendors can comfortably do.
Also, definitely recommend getting a cape with a hood. Very useful when faires are in the fall like the KC one is, and the Hoggetowne Faire is in January but it's Florida so that's a mixed bag.
👆👆...ʟᴇᴛ's ᴛᴀʟᴋ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ.❤️
Used to go to Ren Faires all the time in Florida. I even volunteered in one to get high school credits in like 2001/2002. Favorite weekend is Pirate weekend. Soooooooo much fun. Burned every single time no matter how much i bathe in sunscreen because my skin sucks annnnd its Florida sun lol. We went a few times in Los Angeles, the traffic was always insane, but so was Floridas. The wenches and the mud guys were always my favorite. I don't believe they do the mud show anymore unsure I havent been in a while, planning to go in Colorado.
I grew up going to Renaissance Faire mostly in SoCal with my whole family. We've done guilds, vending, and we would make our own costumes (my moms had a business making clothes for others and it basically paid for us to go yearly) I remember many summers spending days at faire. I love taking new people to faire who have never gone. I'm so glad you had fun! I'm sorry you got so burnt. I'm also very pale, shade and re-applications of spf are a must. The best is the faires that you can camp at for a midday nap and your own snacks and drink at your campsite especially if you get over stimulated. The afterparty can be just as fun as the faire.
I’ve been going to the renaissance faire as our yearly tradition and never been approached by someone to buy their books 😳😂
Some tips:
1. If you want to save some money, you can purchase tickets on site at their box office. They do not charge tax or service fee as they do online and have various discounts. I have AAA and for 3 tickets came out to $37 a piece. We were lucky and there was no line to wait in.
2. Sundays are somewhat less busy than Saturdays.
3. SUNSCREEN. Even for your scalp. My sister and I one year got terrible sunburns on our scalps and shoulders. Ever since then I bring a parasol ☂️. Fresh aloe Vera is your friend after getting burn.
4. Wear comfortable footwear if you don’t care if they clash with your outfit.
5. Bring cash. Paying with card? You will now be charged tax.
Strangely, I was approached about those books at a Philadelphia German Christmas Village. I joked that I accidentally joined a cult.
that was definitely some kind of cultist 😅
@@Viteaification The book was from the Krishna Consciousness people--he was a Hari Krishna. So yes, a cultist.
The main Texas ren-fair (Todd Mission, Texas) has a huge camping ground and it gets WILD at night. Lots of mead, fire, drums, and little sleep. It's also open from the first weekend in October until the last weekend in November and has different themes each week. HIGHLY recommended.
i feel you about the cloaks. theyre versatile and whimsical and make you feel mysterious
The Renaissance Festival in Todd Mission, TX is a good time. The owner is a little infamous but the faire itself is a great time. Their fireworks show at the end of the day is intense and very cool, and there are shows throughout the day that are neat.
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʜɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ👆ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ👆👆ɪ ɢᴏᴛ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ✍️....❤️..
The excitement and positivity radiating from Amanda is so palpable. Such a great video I feel my mood lift while watching
The summer between 11th and 12th grade, I worked the RenFest in Atlanta, GA.
I Started as The Town Crier, the guy that runs around screaming News and what events may be starting soon or nearby.
2 days in, I got Drafted by the Joust crew. The Joust is basically a traveling company who gets hired each season to perform the show for a season. Like the "...Well" show and Gunfight shows at places like 6Flags and Dollyworld.
I was a Squire, who basically ran around in harms way, avoiding being hit by horses and knights, as well as avoiding horse "piles". Ours was more than just a Joust, though it ended with one. One of my other jobs was holding rings out to my side and Praying that the horses, running at my body from two different sides, as their riders tried to Spear the Rings from my hands, didn't just run me over.
Otherwise, I grabbed horses when knights fell or were knocked off and ran around , making jokes and quips at people and flirting with girls.
It was a pretty exhausting yet Amazing summer!
Been to Renfest in Maryland (where I live) and 1) loved the random non-renaissance costumes sprinkled throughout the festival and 2) absolutely loved the food...which is not conducive to healthy eating, but is absolutely delicious!
I've been to Maryland renfest twice now!
When I tell you I'm so excited to watch this as I fell in love with going to the PA Ren Faire last year with my mom, we went 1 day a weekend for 9 out of 11 weekends last year. We just bought our season passes for 2023 and IM SO EXCITED. Opening weekend Aug 19 and its a birthday bash for Queen Elizabeth this year!
I think we were there the same day as you- Irwindale is a great fair. So many cool vendors, a lot of fun free shows, and just a good vibe.
I was SO excited when I turned 18 and I could TOUCH the KNIVES AND SWORDS in the sword and knife shop. SO GOOD!! THE POWER
OH HELL YEAH THIS IS MY KIND OF EVENT 😤 And yes, I too want to live at the ren faire. Every year I turn it into a big friends trip. I make a new costume every year, we eat junk food and drink bee stings all day, and spend way too much on handmade crafts. After the nightly cannon fire and revelry as people exit the faire, we head to an exceedingly fancy Italian restaurant located in a partially abandoned strip mall. We eat until we're ready to pass out and head back to the Airbnb for movies 🧚🏿♀️🧝🏼🧜🏽♂️
I've been going to the Texas Renaissance Festival for more than 20 years, and I can tell you that most of the clothing is hand-made. So you can expect it to be a little more expensive. I've learned to do leather work so that I can design and make my own costume!
As someone who has a long list of friends tied to the Ren Faire scene (and being a retired LARPer myself), it is indeed a rabbit hole you can fall very, very far down into.
Im actually a cast member at the KC ren fair! Im so glad you had such a fun time i was a little worried when i saw you had a ren faire video lol
I was pretty much nodding along to the while thing because "yup thats how ren faire be" (including the pickle obsession on tiktok which is bc theyre a good source of electrolytes that's time period appropriate so it becomes a bit of an obession out there) and i almost cried seeing the Washing Well Wenches! They have a stage here but they werent able to come to us last year because one of the original wenches passed on. I'm so glad you were able to see them, theyre definitely one of the best ren faire shows on the circut.
Yeah, training day one is safety, day two is improv acting. My ex used to travel with a troupe, and says it basically an improv comedy theater group, year round.
amanda i think you would LOVE oregon country fair! absolutely huge 3 day hippie fest that started as a ren fair. fully volunteer run with performers, acrobats, art, anything your heart could dream of!
That Renaissance faire has been a family tradition for my family since as long as I can remember. It's honestly our favorite, and when I was in high school I would right before AP testing as a moment to celebrate before the final cramming.
I love ren faires and i'm so glad you had a blast at the one you went to!!! If you're ever interested, there's the Bristol Ren Faire in Wisconsin (very close to Chicago)! It's got a lot of permanent structures, and only runs on weekends July through the beginning of September.
People were so nice and it was a blast when I went. I think my fav thing aside from the vibe and the costumes people wear is seeing all the handmade goods people bring to sell! The leather accessories, the jewelry, all of it. I just love hand crafted things.
Finally went to my first Ren Faire last year, and I’m blessed enough to live real close to the Texas one (like, close enough that it’s genuinely embarrassing I didn’t realize it was close to me). I’m hooked and literally after the couple big purchases I’d been saving for before I went are taken care of I’m saving up to get a whole dress or outfit next year
You rocked the flower crown!
I was just at a renfair two days ago and I love them so much!
Tho pushing around my friend in his wheelchair through the mud was exhausting
That’s something many fairs can work on
Planks on the grass or so would be amazing to make them more accessible
12:03 OMG THE WASHING WENCHES PERFORM AT MY REN FAIRE TOO AND I GOT TO WATCH SOMEONE GET ENGAGED DURING THEIR SHOW it was great
Amanda's "I'm dangerous... I'm a killing machine." very much came off like that "I am da danger!" tiktok sound xD
Im biased. I think the Ren Faire in my state's the best cause they have The Royal Feast. Basically buy ticket (we got them for so cheap cause my moms hospital got them for the staff), You go into this huge building where the king and queen sit to 1 side and you watch jesters, jugglers, belly dancers with camels, and sparring competitions while eating the best food, like *Pippin singing to Denethor, the Steward of Gondor* levels of good. While the ladies pour mead and wine. We did that almost every year we were in the states. They'd give the coolest handmade ceramic mugs and other stuff as souvenirs. Everything there was pretty much handmade. There was weapons, clothes, decor. I would do the axe throwing every year since Im an implement arts competitior and I love watching grown men get shocked. Ahh good memories.
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʜɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ👆ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ👆👆ɪ ɢᴏᴛ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ✍️....❤️.
For sunburns, use fresh aloe vera, it should help!! I always have a plant on hand
We had a renfair where i live in florida and the poor performers were asking about the heat... on a day where it was considered 'nice' out for us lol. I had so much fun and am definitely going next year, I would recommend getting elf ears because they're just fun to add a little fantasy to your costume :)
I love the one in Annapolis Maryland. 🥰💐🤸♀
What a delightful surprise to see you upload a Ren Faire video! I live in Illinois, so it's been a yearly tradition to go to the Bristol Renaissance Faire on the Wisconsin border with my DnD squad. My friend's dad also makes chainmail as a hobby, so I have quite a few photos of me eating gelato in full, heavy mail. It's legit.
We also do the Pub Crawl, which I'm super into because of the mead and the fun pins you get each year. Highly recommend trying the cheese fritters and the chicken teriyaki if the California faire has them!
Thank you so much for coming! I work there and alway love seeing what people think of our faire!
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜɪɴɢ ʜɪᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴜᴘ👆ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ👆👆ɪ ɢᴏᴛ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ✍️....❤️
My late teens self was looking forward to turning 18, and going on my 18th birthday to buy a pretty sword. Actually turning 18, my dad was in the hospital, and I visited him, went to my favorite pizza place, and saw New Moon, where movie Bella also turned 18. I am that many years old and also a November Sagittarius (yes, also invested in hunger games because November archery). I also graduated with movie Bella in Eclipse. The first thing I actually got to do with the privilege of being 18 was sign and hand back a field trip form without a parent signature.
I have been to that Ren Faire a bunch from when I used to live in CA. Now I live in MI and I go to the big one here all the time. I love them.
You need to go to Evermore - basically a permanent Ren fair in Utah. Jenny Nicholson did a whole video on it.
You’re actually brilliant:) Jenny did the original, Amanda can do the follow up and show if things have changed! (She certainly has experience reviewing disasters!)
Watching Amanda describe the Washing Well Wenches filled me with such joy. They are absolutely one of my favorite parts of the Ren Faire. I also think it's funny we both made the same mistake that ended in chest sunburns. Although I got mine when I went pre-covid.
I love the Irwindale Ren Faire! We go every year and every year I sun burn so bad. I swear there is no ozone right over the dam recreation area, because nothing I have done has helped prevent it. I too have been on the lookout for a cloak, but its hard to find the 'right' one.
I like to sew, so I enjoy the renfaire as an opportunity to show off all my work. This year I made my stays, chemise, skirt, cap, skirt hike, fan holster and mug frog. I did finally splurge on a wooden mug this year, so I have to go back for the next 20 years to get enough use out of it.
Also, we took Uber from the Irwindale metro station and it was a great choice.
I am obsessed with going to the ren faire. Mine is always super crowded since it's small, but they're expanding a bit this year so hopefully that helps. I definitely want to travel the states and go to all the faires!
Don’t feel bad on the cost of that garland. Unique hand crafted items are always going to cost more. If you factor in that it may have taken an hour to make ($10-15), a few dollars in materials ($5), offset for fair seller booth costs ($5). You’re looking at $25 in base cost; a 40-50% markup is very reasonable. And if you don’t feel that you could make the same quality for less, and enjoy it. $40-55 is very fair.
Used to go to the Renaissance Faire in Northern California. Lots of fun, but has been getting too expensive recently. Still love going from time to time. For post-sunburn, I suggest Maui Vera Sunburn Relief gel. I put it in the fridge before using, helps with the burn and with the skin peeling.
👆👆...ʟᴇᴛ's ᴛᴀʟᴋ ᴏɴ ᴛᴇʟᴇɢʀᴀᴍ ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ sᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ.❤️.
19:57 as someone who will cry at the drop of a hat due to my meds... I get that woman who bawled for no reason during the "wedding".
that's me, crying in the greeting card aisle lol
I've been to the irwindale ren faire a couple times this season, I must have just missed you! I love ren faires and here's what I always bring:
Cash, around $20 per meal, extra for shopping
Plenty of sunscreen
Sun hat or parasol or both
Reusable water bottle- there are water fountains (free)
Hand fan or spray bottle fan for the heat
Comfortable shoes
Face mask or scarf for the dust- put on sooner rather than later, when you start seeing dust kicked up
Comfy clothes for the drive home
Every year from like age 12 to age 21 my family went to the Ren Faire. We only stopped due to the pandemic. Imagine - three theater kids, two dnd nerds. Ren Faire. The thing about the costumes - usually you just buy like 1 or 2 pieces a year, and you budget for it in advance.
I used to work the Irwindale faire and this was a nice slice of home, I've missed that Faire in particular.
The dude with the pack of stuff is a much beloved character among the performers and has been around for a while, he's always a lot of fun to interact with as a patron!
It's always fun to come on a theme weekend if you have something that fits costume wise (I love both Pirates and RenCon weekends, RenCon in particular because it's fun seeing everyone in their cool cosplay!). I highly recommend checking out the Reefe if you like bawdy shows, specifically the Poxy Boggards and the Merry Wives of Windsor. I don't know about the Boggards, but the Wives also do a clean show in the mornings usually, and there are a couple other musical acts I love who I enjoy off the Reefe. If Moonie is still performing, his shows are always a good time as well.
Also, if you want more of that good former theater kid interaction, I recommend finding Shakespeare, the Queen, and the Puritans. All the groups are a lot of fun to interact with, but Shakespeare and the Queen are both great people, and it's always fun to mess with the Puritans. The various guilds also usually love interacting with people, especially people doing trades. I have a friend who does some of the weaving/loom work with one of the guilds near the front and she has mentioned that she loves explaining what's happening to people!
I've been to a ren faire in michigan a few times, but i only ever spent money on the food bc it was so good 😂 the washing wenches perform in michigan too! I loved seeing their show
I know this video is a year old, but apparently the face wash called Noxzema is good to put onto a sunburn. You just slather it onto dry skin and wait for it to dry or evaporate or whatever. I’ve tried it and I’m not sure if it really made it heal faster or not, but it did feel nice and cool.