Des Moines Ren Faire participants - June 7th required weaponry class. -- posted by JohnPaul on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 10:26PM
Attention all DSM Faire Performers:  As part of the "faire academy" that all performers will be required to attend, there is also an additional class that all individuals who will be carrying staged weapons or think they will be involved with staged combat of any sort must attend.  This class will teach the basic dynamics and safety of staged combat with period weapons.  First informational meeting will be Wednesday, June 7th at 7:00 pm at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park.  Please contact sirkazimir@yahoo.com for any questions.

Des Moines Ren Faire at World Pork Expo? -- posted by JohnPaul on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 11:55AM
I just found out about this today. Apparently, there will be a booth promoting Sleepy Hollow Sports Park and the Des Moines Renaissance Faire (aka, Festival Park) at the upcoming World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. You can learn more about the event at their website:

http://www.worldpork.org

Sleepy Hollow will have booth C-2526 which is in the Cattle Barn. The event runs Thursday June 8 (8am-5pm), Friday June 9 (8am-5pm) and Saturday June 10 (8am-Noon). They are going to try to have some form of renfest character at the booth each day (I may help out on Saturday if I can make it).

I think I visited the World Pork Expo years ago when I first moved to Iowa. I don't remember much about it except tons of pork food samples, which was enough to justify the visit for me ;-)

So, if you are going to the World Pork Expo anyway, drop by the Cattle Barn and say hi. I have no idea what they will be doing, but I am told there are going to be some prizes of some sort for the kids (?).

Des Moines Ren Faire "video journal" (vidcast? video blog?) -- posted by JohnPaul on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 2:01AM
Okay, here's a test vidcast done for the Des Moines Ren Faire. I posted it to YouTube.com so it could be downloaded easily (though that really kills the video quality). It is a widescreen video recorded in HDTV but YouTube.com will squish it (click on the "Size:" box to see it in letterbox/widescreen).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooRgSS47qek

It shows a brief look at some of the building frameworks that have gone up recently. [more...]

Des Moines Ren Faire site updated, and other updates... -- posted by JohnPaul on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 11:28PM
The Des Moines Ren Faire website ( http://dmrenfaire.com ) has a new gallery up that steps through all the major events so far (merchant meetings, construction, etc.) Also, a video journal (or video blog, or vlog, or video podcast, or vidcast, whatever) is planned to be added soon.

Photos from NebFaire and OK Ren Fest are being sorted, but it may be days before I have them done.

Upcoming Rencasts: 2 parter for Greater St. Louis, 1 or 2 parter for Nebraska Ren Faire, and 2 or 3 parter for Oklahoma Ren Fest (including an interview with the owner/creator, Jeff Hiller).

It's going to be a busy next few weeks, made even worse by some out of town work travel and various other festival events on the weekends.

Next stop: Possibly a quick/short day trip to Sioux Falls, SD this Saturday to do interviews, promote RRR, and take pics for ATF (pending I get permission to do this; not gonna make the drive if I can't plug the 'zine).

Des Moines Ren Faire welcomes Captain Morgan and others. -- posted by JohnPaul on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 8:32PM
The Des Moines Renaissance Faire is proud to announce the names of its first sponsors:

Hy-Vee - castle stage - http://www.hy-vee.com
Gilcrest Jewett Lumber - jousting field - http://www.gilcrestjewett.com
Cap'n Morgan Rum - pirate stage
Miller Beer - pub stage
Polk County Bank - front gate - http://www.polkcountybank.com [more...]

Oklahoma Ren Fest mini report -- posted by JohnPaul on Sunday, May 28, 2006 10:07PM
Greetings from a hotel somewhere in Wagoner, Oklahoma. Or Wagner. Some place about 12 miles outside of Muskogee because all the Muskogee hotels were packed and all we could find was a Days Inn with a $60/night smoking room.

But I digress.

Last year, I visited the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at the Castle of Muskogee and was quite impressed. This year, I returned and was even more impressed. After conning my way into the event under the guise of "media" (being editor of the Regional Renaissance Reporter helped), I spent the first few hours walking around taking pictures, recording interviews for the Rencast, and handing out copies of the magazine to various merchants and performers I spoke with.

I had thought I'd not run in to many people I know here, but I was dead wrong. To name a few: Hobgoblin Adornments (jewelry merchant), "the corn and elk guy", Dixie's Fantasy Finery (children's garb), and probably a few other merchants I have forgotten.

Various street folke I know from other events (Evil, Sir William Paulette), various entertainers (Queen's Gambit, Smee & Blogg) as well as running into various others I've spoken to before.

It was also fun to see folks I met for the first time last year, like the event owner Jeff Hiller (an amazing down-to-earth event organizer), Pyrate's Keep (one of the coolest pirate shops I've ever been in -- think "Pieces of Eight" at Disneyland on steroids), and endless others.

But I digress.

So much has changed this year, with many new additions to the village. I just wish I could have gotten out there eariler this season instead of the final weekend.

Anyway, it was a great day (but hot!) and more details later. Tons o' pictures coming soon... [more...]

NebFaire 2006 mini report. -- posted by JohnPaul on Sunday, May 28, 2006 2:41AM
Greetings from a motel somewhere in Oklahoma. Today (well, yesterday, since it's 2:38am as I type this) started out in Des Moines, Iowa leaving around 9am to head to Omaha for the Nebraska Renaissance Faire. I spent a hasty day recording audio interviews, taping some video for future TV commercial use, and snapping 1GB of photos (about 330 pics). I'll sort and post them next week.

The faire was... well, Nebraska. Since the move to Scary Acres, the site seems very conjested with stages pretty compact and performers having to work with patrons walking around them. This year, areas were roped off to limit this walking, which seemed to help. One stage, Children's, was through a door out behind a building -- kinda neat in a way, IF you knew it was back there (plenty of signs pointed it out).

It was hot. Very hot. I didn't bother to garb up, it was so hot ;-)

Next year, Scary Acres may do some significant site improvements for hosting the festival, and they are wanting a Beer Garden next time. Hey, any event is better with some adult beverages.

Comedy group, Starboard Bound, had an injury during the start of their second performance on Saturday -- not sure if his leg is going to be okay, or if they will have to skip the rest of the weekend. If you make it out, check on them for me, will you?

I'll write up more when I get back home. Tomorrow (er, today) we head to the Castle of Muskogee to spend the day at that event, and part of tomorrow, maybe, before the 8+ hour drive back to Des Moines.

ATF travel plans: Nebraska and Oklahoma -- posted by JohnPaul on Friday, May 26, 2006 8:11PM
Okay, depending on how things go this weekend, I'll probably be driving over to the Nebraska Renaissance Faire in Omaha...

http://www.nebfaire.com

...to spend most of Saturday there taking pictures for ATF, recording interviews for the Rencast, and video taping a bit for future TV commercial use.

Then, the plan seems to be driving down to Oklahoma to visit the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival in Muskogee...

http://www.okcastle.com/

...to spend all day Sunday taking pictures for ATF and recording interviews for the Rencast. I haven't heard back from Muskogee yet, though, so if there is an issue with me doing interviews and such, I may decide not to drive 8 hours (hey, even with a hybrid, gas is still pricey ;-).

I will have limited access to e-mail and chat programs via my phone while I'm gone.

Regional Renaissance Reporter #7 apparently out. -- posted by JohnPaul on Thursday, May 25, 2006 9:02PM
I really have to get around to subscribing because I think I'm the last to know when the issue is actually "done" and in the hands of readers. (Yeah, I'm the guy who puts it all together but after I transfer it over to the printing company, I'm out of the loop.) Anyway, apparently #7 has been sent out and is reaching subscribers.

Details (and subscription forms) online at:

http://www.renreporter.com

We need articles (more of them, anyway) so we can push another 8 pages into it for the next issue.

Siouxland Signed Sunday -- posted by JohnPaul on Thursday, May 25, 2006 6:49PM
From Siouxland Ren Fest...

SIGNED SUNDAY!!

We have sign language interpreters coming on Sunday - June 4th! We have worked on this for several years and are very excited!!! Here is a list of the signed shows on Sunday!

11:00 A.M. Lolly Pockets - Storytree Stage (Childrens)
12:00 Noon Mistress Bawd - Bare Knuckle Pub (Adult)
12:45 P.M. My Lady’s Cutlass - Bare Knuckle Pub (Adult)
1:30 P.M. Tastes Like Burning - Bare Knuckle Pub (Adult)
2:15 P.M. En garde: sword demo - Unicorn Stage (Edu)
3:00 P.M. Lightening Jugglers - Sword and Shield (Comedy)
4:45 P.M. William & Black Jack - Castle Stage (Childrens)

HUZZAH [more...]

Acadiana Medieval Faire (Lousiana) wants merchants! -- posted by JohnPaul on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 11:29PM
Dear Craftsman,

The Acadiana Medieval Faire is looking for a select few merchants of hand crafted products. Because the product that you produce and sell represents the high quality that we are seeking, we would like to invite you to submit a merchant application for our 2007 season.

The Acadiana Medieval Faire is located just outside Lafayette, LA and runs from March 31 and April 1-3, 2007. Within one hour of the festival site are the cities of Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Alexandria, Lafayette, New Iberia, and Opelousas (total population ~1.5 million). Current marketing plans call for radio, print, and TV adds in the four major markets of Lafayette, Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Baton Rouge.

Prior to starting the Acadiana Medieval faire, our general manager, Chad LaComb, has produced the School Day Program at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. Our 2006 season was a huge success and attracted over 7000 patrons over the three day run. Many of our merchants even completely sold out of stock!

Fees for the four day event are $100.00 for 20ft. frontage. Due to a loophole in the parish ordinance for occupational licenses, you will not be charged the occupational license tax in St. Landry parish. The Acadiana Medieval Faire is a soft (tent) event. We are willing to waive part of these merchant fees for merchants who are willing to demonstrate their craft.
For additional information email the vendor coordinator at: info@acadianafaire.org or download a merchant packet on their website at: http://www.acadianafaire.org/

We also have a newsgroup just for merchants at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/acadianafairemerchants
Thank you for your consideration.

**************************************************
The Acadiana Medieval Faire
Chad M. LaComb - General Manager
PO BOX 91072
Lafayette, LA 70509
Phone: (866) 865 - 0433
Fax: (504) 324 - 1432
Web: http://www.acadianafaire.org
************************************************** [more...]

Greater St. Louis Ren Faire joins the Renaissnace Banner Exchange. -- posted by JohnPaul on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 6:27PM
A big welcome to the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire in Wentzville, Missouri. Their website is at:

http://stlrenfaire.com/

...and they have become the latest festival to join the free renaissance banner exchange (http://www.renbanner.net). This exchange lets you sign up, upload a banner graphic and promote your site on 100+ other festival related sites. Unlike generic banner exchanges, though, we're pretty strict on rules and try to get folks to put the banner on their front page (not buried deep on some less visited "Other sites I like..." page).

Anyway, welcome aboard. The Greater St. Louis Ren Faire will run for the next three weekends and it's hard to believe it's the same event I visited in 2002 (performed there for two weekends) and day tripped to in 2003. So many site improvements and expansions (and a hellova great closing gate show).

If you visit the GSTLRF this season, tell them at the front gate that "AtTheFaire says hi!" please.

New Nebraska-based pirate group: Cut Throats n' Corsets -- posted by JohnPaul on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 6:14PM
Attention nearby Midwest pirate enthusiasts... Keep a weather'd eye out for Cut Throats n' Corsets, a new pirate group based in Nebraska:

http://www.cutthroatsncorsets.org/

It looks like they plan to drop in to port this weekend at the Nebraska Renaissance Faire (http://www.nebfaire.com) and then the Renaissance Faire of the Midlands a few weeks later (http://www.faire.org).

And speaking of this weekend, this weekend is the final weekend of the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival in Muskogee. I really want to make it down, but it's also the NebFaire weekend. Right now I am trying to figure out how to do both. ORiginally I was thinking NebFaire on Saturday for photos and interviews, then OK on Sun/Mon, but maybe I'll flip that since I could make more driving time on Friday night. We shall see. In either case, I'm hoping to have Ren Reporter, Rencast, and AtTheFaire.com there at least for an appearance.

This is starting out alot busier than I thought it would...

Rencast #7 (Kansas City Ren Fest part 2) now available. -- posted by JohnPaul on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 11:11PM
Part 2 of the Kansas City Renaissance Festival audio interview show (the Rencast podcast) is now posted. You can play/download the MP3 file here:

http://www.podcastalley.com/podcast_details.php?pod_id=10623

...as well as listen to the first part, and other shows dealing with other events. (There was at least 7 more minutes of extra interview recordings I couldn't fit in to this show, so maybe I'll spin off a "special edition" version or addendum sometime.)

This episode features interviews with Puke & Snot, the Limey Birds, the Brobdingnagian Bards, EVIL, the entertainment directory of KCRF, and many other street characters and performers.

Coming up next: Greater St. Louis Ren Faire opening weekend show.

Nebraska Ren Faire - entertainment scheduled posted -- posted by JohnPaul on Monday, May 22, 2006 11:44PM
A greatly updated list of entertainment appearing at this weekend's Nebraska Renaissance Faire has been posted, along with the entertainment grid:

Entertainment:
http://www.festint.com/nebfaire/entertainment.shtml

Schedule Grid:
http://www.festint.com/nebfaire/schedule.shtml

For more details, follow the links from http://www.nebfaire.com

Booth (game) worker needed for Ren Faire of the Midlands. -- posted by JohnPaul on Monday, May 22, 2006 11:42PM
I don't have the specifics, but one of the game merchants who will be at the Council Bluffs Ren Faire of the Midlands is going to need a booth worker for their game booth. If you think you'd like to work that weekend instead of play, please drop me an e-mail (and list any festival experience you have, especially if you have worked a booth before). Obviously you must have garb (pirate garb may even be preferred).

Turner in Kennett, MO - are you out there? -- posted by JohnPaul on Monday, May 22, 2006 6:20PM
Entry #9 in the "Free Tickets to Greater St. Louis" giveaway was a "Turner" in Kennet, MO. The e-mail I sent confirming them to be one of the 10 to win has been rejected ("retry timeout exceeded") and the mail server have finally given up. Turner, if you are out there -- you should have tickets at the gate, however, they may not have been able to contact you for confirmation. Drop me an e-mail if you have questions...

New photos (Celtic Fest, Greater St. Louis) now posted. -- posted by JohnPaul on Monday, May 22, 2006 6:14PM
Those of you on our mailing list already know this (hint: sign up), but hundreds of photos from the recent Central Iowa Celtic Festival and opening day of the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire have now been posted.

2006 Central Iowa Celtic Fest photos

2006 Greater St. Louis Ren Faire photos

Click away... Up next: this weekend is the Nebraska Renaissance Faire (same location as last year, but new weekend) and the final weekend of the Oklahoma Renaissance Faire in Muskogee. I absolutely loved Muskogee last year, and would really like to check it out again. So, I'm tentatively trying to work out a way to drop by Nebraska one day, then visit OK. (8-9 hour drive from Des Moines... so ... maybe not both!)

And note: when you search for "Siouxland Renaissance Festval" you may now find two events. The first Siouxland Renaissance Festival is the one in Sioux Falls, SD. The other Siouxland Renaissance Festival is the one in Sioux City, IA and is officially known as the "Riverssance Festival" but on the website they use the phrase "Siouxland's Renaissance Festival." Keep it simple and just go to both :-)

Nebraska Ren Faire entertainment list posted. -- posted by JohnPaul on Sunday, May 21, 2006 2:37PM
The entertainment lineup for Memorial Day Weekend's Nebraska Renaissance Faire has been posted:

http://www.festint.com/nebfaire/entertainment.shtml

You can also view the TV ad (airing in the Omaha area) at YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4IFooxqy4Q [more...]

Greater St. Louis Ren Faire... and Waffle House. -- posted by JohnPaul on Sunday, May 21, 2006 1:29AM
I'll post some details soon (right now, I must sleep), but I wanted to mention that the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire in Wentzville, Missouri kicked off their season today, and bigger/better than ever before. There has been much construction and improvements to the site over the past few years and. With an entertainment lineup this year that features Kansas City's Jolly Rogers, the Arial Angels acrobatic/fire show, 3 Pints Gone, Elvendrums, Owain Phyphe, Noble Cause jousting, and many, many more -- as well as seemingly hundreds of street characters all playing the French village theme to the max (bonjour!), how can you go wrong?

And there's a Waffle House and White Castle nearby.

Folks in the Kansas City or St. Louis area, head out. The longer it's been since you've attended, the more impressive the enhancements will be. For more information, and to download $2 off coupons, visit:

http://www.stlrenfaire.com

More ramblings and photos coming soon. (Hello to Lord Magnus, Sir Clisto and the other Outlanders; the Ottumwa Nitestar duo D&D; Jesus - the Spainiard, not the saviour; PHA; DJ; Doug Glenn; Ivy Soap Works, Scots Dragon, and Renboots; and endless others...)

Night.
[more...]

The Des Moines Castle is up! (Almost...) -- posted by JohnPaul on Friday, May 19, 2006 9:30PM
Today there was a small renaissance event held for Des Moines area students out at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park. On hand were a variety of demonstrating merchants (pottery, glass blowing, rope making, leather work) and demonstrations (Viking battles) and entertainment (Have Court, Will Travel and the Pirate Comedy Show). Hundreds of kids showed up, swamping Bud's Homemade Root Beer and the other four or five food merchants. A fun (hot) time was had by all.

Afterwards was a merchant meeting for those at this student ed day who were building at Festival Park. In conjunction with this was a "Garb Fest" (buy, sale, trade garb) swap meet. Fyne Hats by Felicity and Hammer and Thread offered new items, and a number of other folks (including Lynne of Have Court) had alot of no longer needed garb to get rid of. A fun time was had by all.

Sleepy Hollow fed us all (bread bowl soup, two kinds, which is from a food merchant for Festival Park, hamburgers, some kind of fancy chocolate things, and free beer and soda). A fun time was had by all.

But that's not important at the moment. What is important is that, after being out of the loop for the past two months, I got to see the progress of the castle at Festival Park. It's freakin' huge and has a nice, roomy backstage area for performers to store props before/after shows, and move in/out of the support building away from the crowds.

See photo here:


One of the merchant shops is also already up in framework (three or four buildings, built together, I think).

It's happening! More updates soon.

UPDATE: A photo tour of the construction site may be found here... Ignore the silly comments. I have heat stroke :)

Des Moines "Garb Fest" May 19th - buy, sell, trade garb. -- posted by JohnPaul on Monday, May 15, 2006 9:02PM
Garbfest is this Friday, May 19th from 6 - 8 PM. Used costumes for sale as well as fabric, assessories, etc. Got some garb you want to get rid of? Bring it. Looking for some garb? Come by. This is planned to be a small thing for volunteers/workers of the upcoming Des Moines Ren Faire to "garb up" but if others want to show up and participate, they are welcome to do so.

It will be held out at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park (near the Iowa State Fair). Here is a map:

Map to Sleepy Hollow Sports Park

May 19th is also a renaissance educational/demo day for some of the area schools that have requested it.

FREE tickets to the Greater St. Louis Ren Faire (limited!) -- posted by JohnPaul on Friday, May 12, 2006 6:01PM
The Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire is located in Wentzville, MO. You can see where Wentzville is on this MapQuest map. Have you ever been? If not, you should check it out.

And, here's a great way to check it out. FREE TICKETS! It's a limited offer, but the first twenty qualified folks can get free admission. Go to this page and check out the details:

http://www.atthefaire.com/stlouis/

For details on the event, visit http://www.stlrenfaire.com and we'll see you at the faire!
[more...]

Free tickets to the Greater St. Louis Ren Faire? You bet! -- posted by JohnPaul on Thursday, May 11, 2006 11:15PM
Check back later today (or tomorrow) for an EASY chance to snag free tickets to the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire in Wentzville, MO.

http://www.stlrenfaire.com

Details soon...

Iowa Ren Fest 2006 photos. -- posted by JohnPaul on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 8:43PM
Hundreds of photos taken this past weekend at the Iowa Ren Fest are now posted:

http://www.atthefaire.com/photos/Iowa/IowaRenFest2006/index.htm

Of course, if you are on the ATF mailing list, you found this out yesterday ;-)
[more...]

Siouxland Ren Fest entertainment lineup. -- posted by JohnPaul on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 5:55PM
(Submitted on 5/5.)

Greetings All,

It is time to sign up to volunteer at the Siouxland Renaissance Festival which is being held at the Sioux Empire Fair grounds on June 3rd & 4th!

A large number of volunteers are needed to bring the past to life and we have a large number of fun positions to fill including staffing our patron tent, wine booth, souvenir sales and more!

Please go to our website at www.siouxlandrenfest.com and click the “volunteer” link to fill out a volunteer form. It is recommended that you sign up early to secure your first choice of shift and position!

Also – the entertainers for the Siouxland Renaissance Festival 2006 are:

Allen a Dale
Concentio Agnorum
Curtis & Loretta
DeCantus
Don Alejandro
Ian Mac Farlane
Lightning Jugglers
Lolly Pockets
Margaret Fiennes
Mistress Bawd
Mistress Kateryn
The Molly Hares
My Lady’s Cutlass
The New Riders of the Golden Age (Warhorse Productions)
Poochie Pavanne
Pyrates of Portobello
Rosaleen Dhu
Rosemary Maxwell
Tastes Like Burning
Whispering Sands
William & Blackjack
Zilch the Torysteller

Iowa Ren Fest 2006 - I was wrong. (And other events.) -- posted by JohnPaul on Monday, May 8, 2006 7:09PM
Well, in spite of my prediction of "doom and gloom" for this year's Iowa Renaissance Festival crashing in burning, it turned out quite differently. I thought the date move (possibly risking worse weather) and going up against a large, established Amana event (Maifest) would make for a miserable festival weekend.

Well, I was wrong. It seemed as crowded as ever. The event tried to be a three day event, with Friday as a discounted "preview" day, mostly for students at area schools (but paying public was let in, with limited entertainment, and more demos). We didn't attend, but the Pirate Comedy Show did perform two shows on Saturday, and two on Sunday. And, much to my surprise, we exceeded previous years in a "per show" basis from tips. Can the Maifesting visitors be better tippers than the Labor Day Weekend renfesters were? I guess so.

I have hundreds of pictures to sort and post as soon as I find some time, and I shot a bit of HDTV video for future use in TV ads. The event may have been saved due to a TV ad being sent to two TV stations and a cable company (to rotate on various stations), and a few hundred 11x17 color posters, as well as something like 10,000 or 20,000 "three per page" handouts being left throughout the region. Whatever the reason, I was very glad to see people gathered outside before opening gate.

And the money was good too.

Up next is the Central Iowa Celtic Festival on May 13th in Carlisle, Iowa. Visit the website at http://www.aceltictradition.com/ to learn more. This event was held two years ago in Johston, Iowa. The new location this year apparently will have adult beverages (and some familiar renfest faces will be found performing).

At the end of the month, over Memorial Day Weekend, the Nebraska Ren Faire in Omaha tries it again with yet another date change (but same location as last year). Visit http://www.nebfaire.com to read more. We chose to no longer participate in this event as performers after three years in two locations with date changes didn't do a thing to help increase tips. While it may be a good event to hang out with friends, it's just not an event I enjoyed as a performer (but at least we tried...three years running!). I may pop in on a day trip to check it out and take pictures.

A competing event on that weekend is supposed to be happening in Des Moines at the State Fairgrounds, but inspite of it being listed on Warwick's site, and one or two others, the State Fair says nothing is scheduled there. Now that there are just a few weeks to go, I wonder if anyone out there might know more? We've heard stories (from merchants at IRF that have apparently sent in deposits) but if the State Fair still doesn't list it (and didn't know a thing about it when I called them recently), who knows. Iowa has certainly had more than it's faire share of announced and yanked events over the years (Wybreg May Faire in Des Moines 2003/2004, A Renaissance Affaire 2004) so I guess it's not something too stunning.

More to come -- tons of new news to get to posting as soon as I have time to get caught up a bit.

Iowa Renaissance Festi 2006 -- posted by JohnPaul on Friday, May 5, 2006 10:09PM
Greetings from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We're staying here for the weekend for the 15th annual Iowa Renaissance Festival. This year, the event has moved from its traditional September dates to a new Spring date, since the former Labor Day Weekend is now being used by the Des Moines Renaissance Faire (the first permanent "buildings, not tents" renfest theme park in the state).

We'll see how the show goes. This time of year is much cooler (45 or so outside right now at night) and windy. Friday was some kind of student day (open to the public with a discount, with limited entertainment for those who, I guess, don't work on Fridays). We got in in the evening, had dinner at the Middle Amana Ox Yoke restaurant, and then went back to the hotel to get buttons and such ready for the Pirate Comedy Show this weekend.

I don't have great expectations, but IRF has always been the event with the best tippers so even if it's half of the show it was last year, it will still be one of the best for us. We'll see.

Faire Folks... -- posted by JohnPaul on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 8:57PM
Check out this up and coming ren site:

http://www.fairefolks.com/

"Welcome to FaireFolks!
FaireFolks was created by renaissance faire participants for renaissance faire participants. All our services are 100% free to renaissance festival merchants, cast, crew, promoters and performers." [more...]