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Date Posted: 14:29:13 10/16/02 Wed
Author: Curious Mike (slightly more evolved kin to Curious George)
Subject: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey

Well, the New England ren faire season is pretty much at an end. KRF has one more weekend then we all go into hibernation until April or thereabouts. So! In the interest of eating up time here at work, let me pose the potentially explosive question:

Which was the best New England-area renaissance faire this year?

Let's do this methodically...

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall?
2) Which faire had the best value for admission?
3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)?
4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast?
5) Which faire had the best independent acts?
6) Which faire had the best vendors?
7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline?
8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)?
9) Which faire had the best site?
10) Which faire had the best food?
11) Which faire had the best games?
12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes?
13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts)?
14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly?
15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year?
16) What was your favorite thing about any of the faires this past season?

In the interest of keeping things friendly, productive, and positive, don't list your picks for worst of anything. We all know that'll just cause problems. And try not to vote for your own faire.

Have at!

Mike (who can't answer his own poll yet because he won't have been to KRF until this Sunday. D'oh)

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Replies:

[> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- Frank, helping to make things muddier, 15:01:10 10/16/02 Wed

To those who are voting (and I'm not sure if I am voting yet):

If you list those faires that you have been to while you are listing your personal picks, it will better show the audience reaction to each faire.

Ex: I've been to KAF, RHF, MERF and CTRF and the best site is (blank).
It just shows that of those people who went to a particular faire, they thought it was the best in some ways.
I'm just glad I'm not Mike, who now has to tabulate all the responses and come up with a Price-Waterhouse Representative to hold onto the results until the night of the gala RENFANNIES award presentation.

Frank

PS: If there is going to be a statuette, perhaps it could be a solid gold representation of Bodge, and the award could be named after her. But the important thing is that the stautette be made of solid gold. Get on that, Mike.


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[> [> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- Mike, 15:26:04 10/16/02 Wed

I'll start melting down my fillings...

Mike (your host of the 1st annual "Bodgie" Awards...and unlike the Oscar ceremony, our musical numbers won't suck)


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[> Since I can't answer -- Dan, 19:48:43 10/16/02 Wed

As an owner of the CTRF I would be remiss to answer, but I will add that this information, unscientific though it may be, could be terribly helpful to other faire owners. For instance, if it turns out that a lot of the people on this board think that Maine had the best food and a rocking scenario cast, the rest of us would all be able to improve our own faires by trying to figure out what sorts of things we are lacking that people obviously want. While its going to be humbling to any of us who don't get named in areas that we think we are doing a good job in, its all good information about what the New England Rennie community is looking for in a show. In that regard, I would humbly suggest thatit is important that as many as possible do take part and make their opinions heard.

Dan


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[> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- The Baron, 20:19:48 10/16/02 Wed

My Humble Opinion:

I was a cast member of King Arthur, Vermont, Robin Hood, Revere, and 3 Musketeers. I visited Maine as well, so I haven't seen all the Faires. Take my opinion for what it's worth. I have given consideration to Faires I have attended in the past.

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall? Hard to say. KRF gives the most, but cost quite a bit. I'm partial to Robin Hood if only because I'm a cast member.

2) Which faire had the best value for admission? Robin Hood: $10 for a day of great entertainment, that can't be beat!

3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)? Tough one. But I feel that the King Arthur cast brought together a lot of new faces to mix with the old very nicely. We melded very quickly and I saw the best brought out in my fellow performers.

4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast? The best acting, I feel went to the 3 Musketeers cast. They conquered comedy, tragedy, excitement and more in the scenerio.

5) Which faire had the best independent acts? Vermont/ CT (didn't get to CT this year) Vermont had Empty Hats, GBU and of course SAVAGE GRACE. But CT had the Singing Executioners! And many old favorites like Rosalita, Bedlam and Jo-jo the Great.

6) Which faire had the best vendors? KRF (didn't attend but I know they have quality) I miss Eldrytch, Starfire and many of the other vendors. (We have a Starfire Booth here in Carolina but the workers are no where near as fun to play with!!!)

7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline? Robin Hood, I'm a sucker for the good guy winning in the end. It's a classic tale that is easy for kids to follow.

8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)? Vermont, Empty Hats alone makes this one, Though the Crimson Pirates boost Park City. Let's not forget the great pub sing at Robin Hood.

9) Which faire had the best site? KRF, the only permenent site is still the best. Though Hammond Castle is a real Castle, which can't be beat!

10) Which faire had the best food? Tough one, Maine has the best Scotch Eggs! I remember last year CT had Venision! That could make them the best.

11) Which faire had the best games? KRF, hey someday I'll have a gaming glen that BIG. It may be sooner than you think. Otherwise, last year CT had an impressive gaming area.

12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes? Vermont, the producers as well as many others insure that we are all well dressed. Our court is amazing.

13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts)?
3 Musketeers, the only Faire to go all-out Hollywood with Rapiers in New England! That final fight was the best of the year.

14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly? Robin Hood, with it's join the Merry Men, Kids games, Chess Match and knighting ceremony, it was the best interactive experience for kids.

15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year?
Robin Hood, I get to be a good guy and run the DUNGEON! It's virtues have been discussed at length

16) What was your favorite thing about any of the faires this past season? For me it's been making this a full time career. I am attempting to go year round working Faires in 2003.

My humble opinion,

Matt


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[> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- Grant, 23:31:24 10/16/02 Wed

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall?
Tough call. I'll cast my vote for King Arthur.

2) Which faire had the best value for admission?
At $10, the Hammond faires (KAF, RHF) can't be beat.

3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)?
King Arthur again. The scenario came alive. The way the
kids responded to it was magic. Honorable mention: Maine

4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast?
Tough call again, but I'll say KRF, on the strength of
Rick Weber.

5) Which faire had the best independent acts?
CT.

6) Which faire had the best vendors?
Haven't been yet this year, but I'll still say KRF.

7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline?
KAF. RHF came close, but KAF wins with the side story of
Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight.

8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)?
Robin Hood, because of its kick-ass pub sing (as well as
Bedlam, Jovial Beggars, and Updyke's Rose)

9) Which faire had the best site?
Maine. No contest. But Hammond Castle gets an honorable mention.

10) Which faire had the best food?
Maine again.

11) Which faire had the best games?
Don't know.

12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes?
Don't know.

13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts)?
Both KAF and RHF were great, but I'm guessing 3M (which
I didn't see) topped 'em all.

14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly?
Toss-up: KAF and RHF

15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year?
Maine.

16) What was your favorite thing about any of the faires this past season?
At most faires, the "scenario" is a throw-away. At Dave Stickney's
faires (KAF, RHF, 3M), it's electrifying. I guess my favorite
thing this year was the beautifully sincere portrayal of the
story of Sir Gawaine at the KAF.


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[> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- True, 23:34:07 10/16/02 Wed

This year I vended at KAF, Stockwood (not a NE faire), RH, Festival of the Lion, 3M and CTRF. I patroned Vermont, Park City and Tux (not NE though).

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall?

CTRF

2) Which faire had the best value for admission?

CTRF

3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)?

Robin Hood

4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast?

3M

5) Which faire had the best independent acts?

CTRF

6) Which faire had the best vendors?

CTRF...a large variety and consistantly high quality.

7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline?

KAF

8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)?

3M (Loved Updikes Rose!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

9) Which faire had the best site?

Hammond Castle which includes KAF and Robin Hood (can't beat a castle). However even though I have not attended this year KRF does have the best grounds still. I also have to give a nod to the site for Festival of the Lion...it has a ton of potential.

10) Which faire had the best food?

CTRF...best variety and we loved the friar!!!!!!!

11) Which faire had the best games?

Robin Hood

12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes?

3M

13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts)?

Robin Hood (cat fight...who can beat that *gryns*)

14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly?

KAF

15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year?

From a vending pov I am not really looking forward to one faire over another but I have to give major kudos to CTRF for their treatment of cast and vendors and overall ease of loading and unloading etc.

16) What was your favorite thing about any of the faires this past season?

I got to watch my bf sweating in a lot armor and rolling around on the ground with another guy ;) Ohohohoh and the chick fight *gryns and winks*

Cheers,
True


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[> Re: unofficial survey -- Charles of Cambridge, 23:55:33 10/16/02 Wed

I only discovered this board a few weeks ago, and have only attended three Faires (Maine, King Richard, and Connecticut--and even that is one more than last year). I will even list quite a few "no opinion" comments. Still I have been sort of looking for an excuse to post, so I hope you don't mind if this mere patron of only three Faires takes a shot, based of course, on just those three events---Charles Cooke

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall?---Maine
2) Which faire had the best value for admission?---Maine
3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)?---King Richard
4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast?---King Richard
5) Which faire had the best independent acts?---Maine
6) Which faire had the best vendors?--No opinion
7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline?---tie between Conn. and Maine
8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)?---Maine
9) Which faire had the best site?---King Richard
10) Which faire had the best food?---No opinion
11) Which faire had the best games?---No opinion
12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes?--No opinion
13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts)?--No opinion
14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly?--No opinion
15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year?--Toss up between Maine and King Richard
16) What was your favorite thing about any of the faires this past season?--My answer for every season has to be the music; that for me is always the main attraction


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[> [> Re: unofficial survey -- True, 13:15:04 10/17/02 Thu

Well, it's time for to me to go to the ME faire next year *chuckles* Yay I get to add another notch to my belt! ;) I just wanted you to know that there is no such thing as a "mere patron"!!!! We love you all ....well except for the really snotty ones ;) But those we lock up in the dungeon *evil gryn*

Cheers,
True


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[> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- Clod Appleleft, 15:52:10 10/21/02 Mon

I "worked" as part of ByJ and doing either street work, or independant at:

Prince William, Vermont, Maine, Festival of the Lion, and Connecticut

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall? CTRF
2) Which faire had the best value for admission? CTRF
3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)? Toss up between Maine and CTRF
4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast? CTRF
5) Which faire had the best independent acts? CTRF
6) Which faire had the best vendors? CTRF
7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline? Vermont
8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)? CTRF
9) Which faire had the best site?
For overall effect: Maine
For Parking: CTRF
For vendor setup and breakdown: CTRF
For camping: CTRF

10) Which faire had the best food? CTRF

11) Which faire had the best games? CTRF

12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes? Vermont

13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts)? CTRF - Final fight was awesome

14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly? CTRF

15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year? CTRF

16) What was your favorite thing about any of the faires this past season?

The commraderie of the different people that work the faires, vendors, cast and independants


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[> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- Whisper / Willow, 19:50:04 10/21/02 Mon

This year our family attended : CTRF, 3M, Fest of the Lion, Tux, RHF, Parkcity, VT, Prince Williams, and Stockwood

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall?
CTRF ... ! !
2) Which faire had the best value for admission?
CTRF ... ! ! !
3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)?
CTRF with VT a close second ..
4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast?
3M, RHF
5) Which faire had the best independent acts?
CTRF ....
6) Which faire had the best vendors?
CTRF ....seems most we knew were there and some new ones
7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline?
Tough one ... CTRF had a different storyline for a King Arthur, and 3M was a different twist also
8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)?
Well, we are Crimson Pirate fans, so where they were we, loved the music . TUX, Stockwood, and Parkcity
But ...... all had GREAT pub Sings ! That be my favorite part of a faire :-)
9) Which faire had the best site?
In New England .... at Hammond
In NY ... Tux
but ... they are both sites that are always there
10) Which faire had the best food?
CTRF .. lots of choices are reasonable prices
11) Which faire had the best games?
We don't do games
12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes?
3M
13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts)?
VT and CTRF . we just love the full armour stuff
14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly?
CTRF .. kid stuff was free
RHF .. Umm.. ask my nephew about that one ... tee hee
15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year?
CTRF .... ! ! !
16) What was your favorite thing about any of the faires this past season?
The people we meet at faire .. cause no matter what the faire is like, (big or small) what food they have, who the vendors are, or how well the shows are put together .... It's the poeple who go to the faire or work at the faires, (actors, vendors,staff, owners) that make the faire.
If a faire has a lot of people to 'play' with, the more fun we have ....


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[> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- Veronica, 14:45:08 10/22/02 Tue

This year I worked in some capacity at KAF, VTRF, RHF, and 3M, and attended MERF, CTRF, and KRF.

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall? 3M

2) Which faire had the best value for admission? CTRF

3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)?
I don't feel un-biased enough to answer this one...

4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast?
Or this one...

5) Which faire had the best independent acts? VTRF

6) Which faire had the best vendors? KRF

7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline? 3M

8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)? VTRF

9) Which faire had the best site? KAF and RHF (Hammond Castle)

10) Which faire had the best food? CTRF

11) Which faire had the best games? No answer...most of the ones I was at all had the same games...

12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes? VTRF

13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts)? 3M (The final fight alone gives it to them, plus I far prefer choreographed fights over the full armor stuff.)

14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly? KAF

15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year? 3M

16) What was your favorite thing about any of the faires this past season?
Learning how to fight...great fun....


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[> [> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- Rob, 17:07:03 10/22/02 Tue

>16) What was your favorite thing about any of the
>faires this past season?
>Learning how to fight...great fun....

That's a slippery slope, Veronica! Now that you've done it once, Cliff & I will keep expecting more and more from you. Just ask your boyfriend, Mike "Boy Can I Take A Punch" Bailey... ;)

- Rob (who's really flattered by all the times the final 3M fight is getting mentioned; seriously, guys, thank you...)


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[> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- StacyAnn, 15:39:22 10/23/02 Wed

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall? 3M
2) Which faire had the best value for admission? 3m
3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)? Tie 3M/KRF
4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast? Tie 3M/KRF
5) Which faire had the best independent acts? 3M
6) Which faire had the best vendors? KRF
7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline? 3M
8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)? RH indie - KRF cast
9) Which faire had the best site? 3M
10) Which faire had the best food? 3M -CTRF
11) Which faire had the best games? N/A
12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes? Tie 3M/KRF
13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts? 3m
14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly? N/A
15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year?
3M
16) What was your favorite thing about any of the faires this past season? That it did not rain much!!


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[> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- Rob, 22:55:25 10/23/02 Wed

As a member of Pastimes' production staff, it's not really fair of me to vote on a lot of these questions. But then, I've never let questions of fairness stop me before! :) In the past year, I've performed at KAF, RHF, and 3MF, merchanted at CTRF, and patroned at VT and Tux. The two most glaring omissions: KRF and ME. So, trying as hard as I can to be impartial, here are my picks:

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall?
Tough call, but I'm going to give RHF a very slight edge over CTRF. At the rate they're going, CT may well take it next year!

2) Which faire had the best value for admission?
CTRF; wonderful combination of space, stages, merchants and entertainment for a comparatively low gate fee.

3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)?
3MF

4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast?
Another very tough call, but I'll give the nod to KAF, which managed to pull off a pretty complex story with a real sense of wonder.

5) Which faire had the best independent acts?
CTRF, for the lethal cocktail of Smee & Blogg, GBU, Jo-Jo, and Zoltan the Adequate. Not to mention the rest of the Renniepalooza crowd, without whom any NE faire is a fraud... ;)

6) Which faire had the best vendors?
Had I made it to KRF, they'd probably get my vote. But of the faires I attended, CTRF, though RHF is a close second.

7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline?
Between the Pastimes dedication to storyline and CTRF's new Arthur story arc, this year was a very rich one! But I'm going to give it to RHF, over the very strong competition of CTRF, 3MF and KAF. I confess I didn't ever find out much about VT's scenario, depite trying to...

8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)?
Hard one, since I don't usually get to sit still long enough to appreciate the music acts. I'll give CTRF a slight edge in this category for the variety present

9) Which faire had the best site?
Even not having made it there this year, KRF wins for the combination of space and hard construction. Though give Hammond Castle just a little more clear space, and RHF/KAF will move into #1!

10) Which faire had the best food?
CTRF. Nice variety and reasonable prices. The baked potatoes alone were fabulous. And don';t get me stated on the venison stew..!

11) Which faire had the best games?
KAF. At least, I saw people having the most fun with them there!

12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes?
3MF. Mo' plumes! :)

13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts)?
Okay, there's absolutely no way I can be impartial here, so I abstain. Mad props to my nemeses Gregory Stuart and Jimmy Hester, though! Also a big tip o' the helm to Stephen, Scott and the rest of the Autumn Tree folks, who did a (literal) bang-up job at CTRF this year...

14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly?
RHF, despite the occasionally terrifying presence of Guy of Gisborne... :D

15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year?
KAF, if only to see which Arthurian legend is going to be tackled this time.

16) What was your favorite thing about any of the faires this past season?
As always, the wonderful folks I get to work with!

Just my thoughts. Take 'em for what they're worth...

- Rob


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[> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- Anne, 09:53:23 10/24/02 Thu

1) Which was the best NE-area faire overall?

Tough call, but I'll say Robin Hood

2) Which faire had the best value for admission?

Any of the Hammond Faires.

3) Which faire had the best cast overall (main cast and support cast, not indie acts)?

RHF and not just because I was in it.

4) Which faire had the best actors in the cast?

I can't answer that because there were so many good actors in every faire I went to.

5) Which faire had the best independent acts?

CT

6) Which faire had the best vendors?

Even though I didn't go this year, it's tough to beat KRF for sheer number and variety.

7) Which faire had the best scenario/storyline?

RHF and 3M

8) Which faire had the best music (including cast shows and indie acts)?

RHF (two incredible pub sings, Jovial Beggars, Chatterboxes and much more)

9) Which faire had the best site?

Maine

10) Which faire had the best food?

CT (variety and good price)

11) Which faire had the best games?

I don't usually play the games, but I have to say CT because the kids games are free.

12) Which faire had the best (cast) costumes?

Don't know

13) Which faire had the best fights (cast or indie acts)?

RHF - chick knife fight and that fabulous fight between Sir Brian and Ivanhoe

14) Which faire was the most kid-friendly?

I say CT mostly because the kids area was free. I understand gamers have to make money, but it's tough to explain to a 2 year-old that they can't just keep playing froggy toss because it costs $1 every time. Also, the grounds are open and level - easier for a kid to manage even if it isn't all that atmospheric.

15) Which faire are you most looking forward to next year?

KAF because I've never been but hear it's faboo.


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[> [> Re: Posted at risk of banishment to the complaint board: an unofficial survey -- Anne, 09:55:21 10/24/02 Thu

Oops, forgot to say what faires I'd been to this year. I was cast in RHF and 3M. I also went to VT, CT and Maine.


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