So being new to alot this, I was curious what the most popular faires are and where they are so I can get more involved on the aspect of the culture. As well as meet great people with similar interests and see the booths of many smith's booths. Would love some tips. Thanks!

If you're ever in Texas, try Scarborough Faire.........Great food, drink, shows, vendors, and all-around good folk! I'll be there...most likely hanging around the Legacy Forge or AngelSword booths. You can't miss me...I'll be the guy in the Black Watch kilt drinking beer from a horn....Oh...wait....That just described about 200 guys there... :lol: ....But really, great fun and a family safe place-------With live jousting!!..........C'mon down to Texas! :) .....McM

Haha live up in Colorado :P but thinking of making a visit down there this summer. Doesent it end at the end of may though? In a student so I wouldn't be able to go before hand.

I plan on going to Scarborough in a week and a half myself. This year Im going in kit. Elizabethian period Scottish Reiver.
Where are you from Mark? Maybe you can join us.

Bristol Renaissance Faire in Bristol Wisconsin is my home faire. Beautiful oaks, LOTS of marketplace and the best in entertainment.
Come on up!

Murphy :cool:

Started reading this thread because I have always thought that a calendar of events and fairs would make a neat addition to the Favorites function.... and now I have this da#n tune in my head... must be a Texas thang... all about Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme...

Having visited all of the "major"--and certain of the smaller--faires around the US, my favorites have for years been the aforementioned Scarborough and Bristol. This isn't intended to suggest any others are "bad" or the like; I just really find the great mix of good people, nice grounds, great shows and many (and good) vendors at these two the most overall enjoyable. Texas Renaissance Festival (as with about any of the "big" faires) is good fun, too.

If you have any specific questions with which I can help, I'd be happy to do so. :)

Any of them on the faire lists with large vendor counts and high attendance figures are going to have plenty to see and do. If you go to a few you will likely be surprised at how much is the same, and by how many of the same people work at all of them. In that respect they are similar to any fair...these just have a theme. That said each of them tends to also have its own unique enjoyable feature that make them just a bit different from the others. Call it flavor if you will. That flavor usually comes from the location, the region, or perhaps a handful of truly local entertainers. Sometimes it comes from a vendor or two that call the fair in question their home faire.

I've never been to a large event that left me feeling like I'd wasted the day at the end. I've never been to a small one that actually demanded a day from me.

I've only ever been to the Northern California RenFaire, located at Casa de Fruita, near Holister, every September. I've been to it twice now, and had a good time both times. I'd guess it's probably on the smaller end of faires, but someone here could correct me if I'm wrong. They do have lots of good food, cool shows, and live jousting in the horse arena. Another thing I like about it is the setting, Casa de Fruita is right off a highway but you'd never know it once you're there, dry grasslands with lots of shady oaks. It runs for the whole month, and each weekend has a different theme.

I have been going to the Northern CA Renaisance Pleasure Faire for over 30 years. The location in Casa De Fruita is nice but it is a smaller faire than it used to be. Up until the mid/early 90's it was located in Novato, north of San francisco. Back then the Faire was huge and awesome! Sadly due to some mis-management, they lost the sight. That site was what god had in mind when he created Ren Faires.

I understand the Southern Ca Ren Pleasure Faire is pretty good. I haven't been there. It opend a couple weeks ago and runs until mid May.http://www.renfair.com/socal/