Hello all, my wife has asked for comfort items for Christmas this year, and me being a big nerd thought it would be fun to get her a hooded cloak. Unfortunately I don't have the time to teach myself to do it....yet. I figured this was the best place to get advice. I'm looking to get something functional and plain, but sturdy and potentially weather resistant (or proof) my wife would probably only ever wear it around the house, (we live in north Idaho so it can get cold) or maaaaybe the occasional faire, but if she did decide to lean into wearing it out, I want it to last. Pockets are a plus.

I've been wanting to go to the faire for a while now and there is a weekend coming up at the end of October where I will be going. I've been working on a Pyramid Head cosplay that I am very proud of and I'm wanting to wear it to the fair. The website says that all costumes are welcome but I'm wondering if it'd be considered strange to wear this costume. I figure since its really just a large helmet and sword it suits the atmosphere and especially since its Halloween season the spookiness would work pretty well. Just wanting some thoughts so that I don't look like too much of a weirdo at my first fair.

Hello! I went to the MD Faire today and honestly I was completely overwhelmed by the crowds. I grew up going to the one in Larkspur CO, and do not remember it ever being so busy. This was my first time going to the MD Faire and bringing friends who had never been - we bought tickets months ago, we were all very excited about our costumes, and I didn’t realize it was sold out until we got there today and saw the parking lot totally full.

Is this the norm now?

There were long lines for EVERYTHING. The joust and most of the shows were packed and people were aggressive about getting seating spots. We could hardly move let alone find a spot to sit for a while that would accommodate a group of 6. We ended up leaving early because my friends were overwhelmed.

I’m sad to post this because it’s something I’ve loved all my life, genuinely just trying to figure out a way to have a less chaotic and stressful experience.

Does anyone have suggestions for times to go for people who have trouble with crowds?

Thanks in advance to the community for your advice ♥️

Haven't been to the faire in a few years, will be going with a friend and it's there first time! Will be attending MDRF, any must sees/dos?

Hi! I recently went to the King Richard’s Faire in Carver, MA and there was a glassblowing/glass art shop that caught my interest! It is called “The Art of Glass” and I was planning to look into the shop more afterwards. I could not find anything on it and was wondering if anyone else knows anything about it!

This is not at all what I had planned when I started making it, mainly because I really had no idea what I was doing. Once I got the hang of measuring the chain and attaching the jump rings the rest just kind of fell together. I got the headband and the red gems on Amazon and the chains, jump rings, wire and clear gems at Joanns Fabrics. Not too shabby for my first time with a whisper of a plan lol😅

Bought tickets in advance but my printer is busted. For the Tuxedo NY renn faire can I just have the email on my phone to be scanned or do I need to get to staples ASAP?

This was one of the few experiences that I was looking forward to after moving back to Maryland. I've been unable to attend for years. I only went like one day a year when I lived here pre-COVID, but it was a bright spot and something to look forward to. It shouldn't hurt that much, but it does, to the point where I want to cry. I feel defeated. From what I gather, the event has been crowding out more and more people in recent years.

Those of you who also got crowded out, are you finding anything else to fill the hole? It's been a rough few years for me and I really could have used this, but I guess this is just one more way life is shittier now.

I've never been to the ren fair before and have always wanted to go. It's a bit of a drive and my friends and I have been planning to go for months and I have been so excited. I stupidly forgot to buy a ticket for the 12th and now all my friends have tickets and I do not. Needless to say I am absolutely heartbroken. Does anyone know if there's anywhere online that I might be able to find an extra ticket? Thank you!

Are kissing wenches still (if they ever were) a thing at the Ohio renaissance festival? I’ve always wanted to meet one or two but I haven’t heard from any reliable sources if they’re still a thing. Seems like it doesn’t happen anymore? For context I have never been to a ren faire before but have heard about kissing wenches. Sorry if this kind of post isn't allowed I just wanted to ask some people who might know.

This is my “pre-game” fit. Once we arrive (2 hour drive) I’ll add chainmail, leather armor, and assorted other kit.

It’s gonna be a GREAT day!!

..when you're camping onsite. Everyone is asleep. you realize your cot is completely wrong for the pitch of the hill.

Sorry, y'all.

Sidenote: I'm amazed at how much a cheap, thin rug quiets one's movement in a tent.

Don’t know if this is the right thread to post in, but I’m going to my first ever faire tomorrow and I want to make sure I haven’t misunderstood the rules on trinkets and am about to make a blunder.

I am going as a witch (my whole DnD group is going together, and they are their characters, but I am our DM and I threw together my costume using only things I already had) and I was thinking the trinket trading was giving out random little items character related to other people.

I put together a little witch basket of odd trinkets and I planned to hand them out by relating the item to the person I interact with, (ex: I have a blank 6 sided die, and when I hand it out I would say something like, “the power to shape one’s own destiny is a mighty one, use it well” etc etc) but from this thread im thinking maybe it’s a trade off thing, like bartering, and I need to have something of actual value and not just a collection of random bobs and bits that I’ve been stashing as I find them.

Do you only trade with other trinket traders? Is my stash of random junk ok? I have some better items like jeweled bracelets I wanted to hand out to princesses and a little dragon totem, but I also have things like a strand of braided leather and a blank die and shiny rocks… I was also debating picking up some candy to hand out, to really sell the witch vibe, but I was unsure about edible things and ultimately didn’t go that route to avoid any potential issues.

Any speedy help would be appreciated! The faire is tomorrow!

So I'm going to give out paper stars as trinkets but I'm trying to come up with a witchy rhyme to say when I give them out and I'm drawing a blank.. totally brain dead.. any help would be appreciated

Hi! My SO and I are starting our Renfaire cosplay journey. Where do y'all shop for costume pieces? Do you have favorite, reliable websites? Anyone know stores in Northern Chicago? Trying not to break the bank, but excited to get into it.

TIA!