Tara – the faire is SO much more that what you state. You mention only in passing the “faire staff” roaming the grounds. These actors (both professional and volunteer) are the ones who truly bring the faire to life through interaction with the patrons. You take the time to warn parents about the “language and behavior” of other patrons. You make it sound like there are a bunch of drunken idiots wandering around. Although occasionally a patron may have a bit too much, that behavior is certainly not the norm, and is quite different from someone who “retains an in-character persona”. You single out Barely Balanced. While I agree they are a fantastic act, you fail to mention that they are not there for the entire run of the faire, but only for four weekends. I would like to have seen mention of the superior jousting troupe, the royal falconer, the fabulous musical acts, etc. The PA Renaissance Faire is MUCH more than a dating service for “geeks”.

Aside from tipping the bartender, this is not a faire where the actors expect tips. I’m not sure where the writer got that idea.

Also, there is a wide range of choice in food and drink from the traditional turkey leg to salad to Mexican dishes and this year they have added wonderful chicken and beef pies with a crisp and tasty crust.

Tipping is NOT appreciated (unless it’s a bartender, as aus mentioned), if you’re talking about the cast performances. All actors will direct you to one of the several “wishing fountains” on the grounds and ask you kindly to make your donations in the form of small change, as all the coins from those fountains are donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation. As far as independent acts, well, they sell merchandise, and that’s for sure a tip enough, right?

I have to respectfully state that I don’t feel this article gives enough of an insight into what the Faire is truly about; your article gives it much more of an “entertainment fair” than a “living museum” event. The Faire is educating and entertaining (call it “edutainment” if you’d like), and there’s a superior in-house cast and directors who make it so. All the cast, whether by requirement or personal interest, researches historical characters in order to play them just right. Fictional characters are spot-on Elizabethan villagers, and their abilities to refer to modern technologies (cell phones become fairy boxes in which one can talk to God) and still be a less-advanced Elizabethan character is always phenomenal.

I have to agree with all the comments above. You haven’t given near enough insight to all this Faire is.

I’ve never had to shield my children from behavior or language of other patrons. As Bevin stated, that kind of thing is certainly not the norm. This is a very family friendly atmosphere and the children love the interaction as much, if not more than, the adults. The entire atmosphere is a wonderful experience. From the shows, to the food, and all the activities, plus the shopping.

PRF is home to many wonderful people, young and old. My entire family included. I’m happy to have everyone there part of my family. And I’m proud that my family is part of their’s.

Interesting–I’m not sure why so many people took this as some type of negative review of the faire. I try to go every year and I have fun there. That said, some of the performers do certainly beg for tips rather than appreciate them (one performer even complained about the low compensation being a reason for his need to beg). While this may be the exception rather than the rule, I do feel that most of the performers appreciate tips.

I’m sure if I called the fair a “living museum” I’d get a slew of SCAdians on here explaining that the renaissance faire, fairies, etc. are not exactly historically accurate representations of the Elizabethan era. I see the faire as a fun and whimsical environment for people of all ages. You can be Jack Sparrow and enjoy the faire; you can be a fairy and enjoy the faire; you can have a historically-accurate costume and enjoy the faire. That makes for an inclusive atmosphere and maximizes the faire’s appeal and business potential–an all around positive quality.

You can find history, fantasy, stories and pure entertainment here and that is well worth the ticket price. What’s more, the fun at the faire is engaging and active. It’s not sitting in front of a screen playing Warcraft or console games, and that is a really worthwhile change for kids.

It is generally a great place for a casual enthusiast or hardcore rennie. Faires in general do have both a family-friendly an an adult element. I think this one includes both and it is good to let people know that sometimes peoples’ inhibitions are released at the faire as they are any place alcohol is served. Do most adults at the faire curse and hit on teens? Absolutely not! Does it happen? Of course. It’s not the responsibility of the faire or other participants to control things like this that can happen anywhere, but it’s probably a good idea to give fairegoers a head’s up on faire culture.

The faire isn’t Pennsic–not by a stretch–but there is an adult element to faire culture. If you disagree, I suggest wearing a kilt to the faire ‘proper style’ or getting fitted for a bodice. One or more body parts will likely be felt.

Also, I did not state that staff expect tips–some of the acts do. I avoid one act in particular because the majority of their act involves begging for tips. No thanks!

This faire sounds like a lot of fun. I think I will make plans to take my family there and even rent costumes for them! Thanks for the article.

I am certain that there is only one independent act in the entire faire that is allowed to ask for tips. Every other act can sell merchandise but they are compensated by Mt Hope for their services. The falconer asks for donations for the care of his birds. It’s a box near the aviary where you are free to give or not.
I am not talking about faires in general. I am discussing the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. We are celebrating our 30th anniversary this year. It’s going to be a grand season and we are ready for a little “ren geek”. And I have the marshmallows to prove it.

Because I was asked to I’ll give my input, as a person who has performed as an independent at the Faire – and twice now seen a contract – I can say that you are not allowed to ask for tips under the current rules. Which I actually endorse as I believe busking to paying patrons is both in poor taste and stressful for the performer. Perhaps the mud people are an exception but having seen their show a few times I don’t recall it ever being aggressive, and their act as half-wit degenerates (which requires a lot of talent to pull off considering they’re all smart, thoughtful people out of character). Also I should note that becoming drunk and making rude comments is entirely different from being “in-character”. The rudest people I’ve encountered are the day-trippers (often with families themselves) who don’t understand that with the high quality microbrew being served you are essentially drinking 2-3 Bud Lights per cup, and feel that it is somehow their rightful prerogative after paying to get in, to treat everyone there like second hand help. In actuality, if you wear a bodice or kilt correctly you are also taught how to preserve modesty depending on social forum.

Article Fail

John and others,

Please stop thinking that I was attacking the faire staff in this article in any way. It was intended to be a lighthearted and short overview. I hoped the article would bring more people to the faire, though I now speculate that it will drive people away due to the comments.

The staff make the faire truly immersive and I appreciate them. That’s why I didn’t criticize a single staff person in this blog entry. The information about the bodices and kilts are directed at faire-goers and novices–not practiced staff members. I think it’s rather obvious in the original article.

I understand that staff at the faire do a lot of research and act with appropriate decorum. The guests at the faire are not under those requirements and sometimes create a drunken persona or wear clothing in a different manner because they do not have the same perspective on faires as the staff.

These disparaging comments are really unfortunate. Again, I intended to get people to go to the faire. Obviously efforts will be spent trying to get people to go to other events at which the staff don’t criticize people for giving them free promotion.

How very sad–I used to enjoy the faire, but I probably won’t return after this experience.

Tara

Tara, Their is no doubt that you meant no harm in your article …BUT… none the less it was still a very poorly written article. In some of your article you made the faire out to be something that its not (with the show tips, place for geeks ext. ext). And you said….How very sad–I used to enjoy the faire, but I probably won’t return after this experience. WHAT??? So your saying that because people (many) corrected you about the faire you know now that you CANT enjoy it? The problem isn’t the faire or anyone who goes. Its your thinking. …..How very sad……

I also have to disagree with most of the comments others have pointed out. I have been regularly attending the PA faire numerous weekends most seasons for over 25 years (as well as several other faires, some for even longer). I have seen many things change and many stay the same. One of your largest incorrect comments is, “mind the language and behavior…a guest in costume has a few beverages and retains an in-character persona for the duration of his or her time there.” Those that attend the faire in full costume and don a character for the day are Very rarely the patrons that need to be watched out for. Usually those that exhibit bad behavior from being just stupid drunk to being actually overtly rude or crude are the ‘mundanes’. Watch for the loud people in football jerseys making fun of everything and everyone, or those that don’t have the attention span to sit through a full performance, they are almost always going to be the problems if any exist. Those that care enough to garb up love the faire too much to contribute to such a bad reputation, and are mostly just not that kind of person to begin with.

And as for being touched, once again, you are way off. Its hard to believe that in your clearly limited time at the faire you could have seen such behavior occur so many more times than in my hundreds of visits. Only twice have I ever seen someone touched unwelcomed by a patron. Both times security was called and the offender was removed. That kind of behavior is simply Not tolerated. And as for the kilt, I wear one proudly and ‘regimental’ style all the time and have Never been touched unwelcomed. Of course there have been whistles and comments made, but they are almost always in good fun and in fairly good taste.

Perhaps you should think a bit more before making comments in such a flippant manner. Even your reply makes what appears to be a comment about the faire that does not apply elsewhere. “adults at the faire curse and hit on teens?… it’s probably a good idea to give fairegoers a head’s up on faire culture”. That behavior is NOT faire culture. That is not the behavior of the regular faire goers. That is unfortunately human culture, and it happens anywhere you go, football/baseball games, McDonalds, 4H faires, the supermarket, even the local playground. Don’t portray that behavior as faire related.

With any luck your infantile choice to never return to the faire simply because people who actually know more about it attempted to correct your erroneous public comments will mean you will never again try to pass off silly blog posts about it under the guise of actual journalism. Journalism is accomplished with an open mind.

Please note that CultureMob blogs are blogs and may include opinion on occasion. While that should be obvious since this is posted under “Philadelphia blog,” obviously some commenters have mistaken this as a work of misguided journalism.

I understand having a passion for the hobby, but to throw public insults on a public forum is point blank unprofessional, especially if you work at the faire. If Mount Hope Estate has a problem with this article, they are welcome to officially contact me through the site. Otherwise, I feel that what should be an inclusive hobby and event is being represented as quite the opposite here given these comments.

I think people are being a little to harsh on Tara honestly. The review is largely in favor of the Faire after all. Most of the comments are quibling over details and wording. As for it being a gathering place for geeks first of all since when is it not? I know a great many geeks who are extremely fond of PARF just like the SCA it tends to attract them. For that matter whats wrong with geeks I’ve been one my whole life and i”m quite proud of it.

Wow, thanks for such an in-depth article, Tara! I like to learn about what kind of games other ren faires have since the ones at my local faire are things like axe-throwing and mock sword fights with boffing weapons. (You know, PVC pipe, foam and duct tape.)

I find it quite intriguing that they host themed weekends! Some people (myself included many years ago) like to go every weekend of the faire because often there are rotating acts or special events and it can make it more interesting to go each weekend if you don’t have to wear the same costume every time!

Being the novice faire-goer and bodice-wearer that I am, I would not have known, or even thought of when to eat while wearing a corset! Thank you for that information! I’ll keep it in mind the next time I wear one.

In regards to the comments, I think you all need to be a little more objective yourselves! As a person outside this particular faire, I did not read her article negatively.

While I felt that the comment about ‘having a few beverages and staying in character for a few hours’ was a bit confusing, and perhaps misleading, I don’t think that Tara meant that every single dressed-up, in character faire guest was getting hammered and cursing up a storm around every scantily clad teenager or small child who happened to pass by.

In my experience at my local faire, the paid performing acts also ask -politely- for tips. Tips are and always have been optional, everywhere you go, from your waitress to your bartender or barista.

And in regard to the sweeping generalizations about how awesome and upstanding regular faire-goers are: you really cannot judge someone before you meet or talk to them. Someone wearing a jersey might be a lover of Renaissance but just got done with a softball game.

Not everyone loves the faire so much that they won’t do something they really want to do in order to protect the sanctity of the faire grounds. If Sir I-Dress-Like-This-Every-Weekend-from-August-to-October wants to have a couple of brews and hit on wenches, you better believe he will (as long as he is off the clock or not part of the faire staff.) And so will the dad wearing the Hawaiian t-shirt from Oregon with his family. And so will the fairy whose boyfriend broke up with her for an elven princess.

Finally, you better also believe that ren faires everywhere are not only about dressing up in your leather greaves and chainshirt in 90 degree weather, but they are also about the cash. And Lady Visa and Master Card.

I have heard some great things about the Pennsylvania Renaissance Festival and I think that is saying something since I live in Seattle, WA. It had always been a point of interest if I planned on visiting the East Coast during the times faire is scheduled. However, after reading the comments section, some of which are from the staff of the faire apparently, I am not entirely sure I would want to meet the Queen’s court!

On a final, and lighter, note, I would still visit the faire simply because I want to eat Steak on a Stake!! We only get giant turkey legs and peasant lunch out here in the West.

I’ve only been to the PA Ren Faire a few times in the past, but had enjoyed my visits and left thoroughly entertained. I planned on returning this year, but I’ll find other places to spend my money. Clearly, the commenters here misunderstood the intent of the article, as it was directed towards Faire-goers, not Faire staff. The personal attacks and zealous overreaction of the staff in the comments to a well-written, informative and POSITIVE blog post have turned me off to attending. I’ll be sure to pass this story along to my family and friends as well. Tara, I appreciated your helpful tips about corset-wearing and the variety of things to see and do at the Faire. It’s a shame that I won’t be attending, but there you have it.

Once again, misinformation seems to be flowing due to a lack of fact checking. No need to distract from your poor article by attempting to discredit the faire by making it seem like staff and cast are attacking you.

Of the people that corrected Tara’s comments, only 1 stated anything that could have been construed as them being staff. Most made it pretty clear they are not staff and a few made no indication either way. These are patrons correcting Tara, not staff or cast.

Tara made incorrect comments about the faire and some regular patrons corrected her. She made a negative comment about some faire-goers and some faire-goers gave back.
All’s faire. Pun intended.

and seriously, if anyone is going to let a few comments by a few people, whoever they are, made online stop them from doing something in real life, well good for you… the world will be a better place if you just stay home all the time anyway. Reality is no place for you.

Thanks everyone for the input. I’m going to close the comments now because I think readers are just going to grow increasingly confused about the direction the discussion has taken.

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, which occurs on weekends plus Labor Day Monday, August 14-October 31, 2010, sounds like a really wonderful event. In fact, my guess is that everyone who attends is going to enjoy themselves.

For complete information and directions, please visit the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire website. Don’t miss the FAQ page which as some good basic information about the Faire. Tickets information is here.