Arizona Renaissance Festival

There are 12 stages at the ARF providing music, comedy, death-defying acts, drama and other applications of Liberal Arts degrees (don't boo me, I got that line from an actual performer).

Monk's Park - A rotation of musicians and storytellers.

Middleshire State - A rotation of musicians and storytellers, particularly Zilch the Torystellar (watch out for pittle luddles) and Hey Nunnie Nunnie!

Fairhaven Theatre - Music and comedy, particularly Don Juan and Miguel.

The Mud Stage - Music and the messy drama/comedy of the Wyldmen.

The Falconer's Heath - An open-aired, grassy field punctuated by the Raptor's Tower, home of the Ancient Art of Falconry show, several musicians and Adam Crack, The Whip Master.

Merriment Stage - Musicians plus Comedy, Danger and both with Thom Selectomy.

Palace Theatre - Comedy, Variety and more Don Juan and Miguel (they're everywhere) plus the home of Cast in Bronze, a functioning Bell Organ.

Boat House Stage - Music and the Comedy of both the Tortuga Twins and Ded Bob (not at the same time).

Rialto Stage - Magic and daredevilry, the latter from Dextre Tripp.

Dancing Pig Pub - Mostly bellydancing and filking, but Zilch makes an appearance to confuse and amuse.

Teatro de la Rosa - Music and Magic. Listed in the program but not technically part of TdlR is the Glassblower's Shop next door. He puts on brilliant demonstrations throughout the day, making a complete piece in about half an hour.

Royal Pavillion - The royal players at ARF doing their lordly and ladyish things for your entertainment, and their own.

There are other little venues throughout of wandering and semi-permanent entertainment including but not limited to:

Wandering musicians who will just plunk down and begin playing, providing more ambiance.

The gypsy ensemble which entertains in between shows beside the Falconer's Heath.

The Greenman, a very tall treant who lives near the Tudor Rose Pub and appears throughout the day.

Lady Tess, Fashion Advisor to all fine ladies, provides very proper education on period dress, accouterments and customs throughout the day.

Of course, there is the biggest stage of all, the relatively newly revamped Joust Tournaments held thrice daily.

The Arizona Renaissance Festival boasts over 200 artisans from around the U.S. and around the world. Many of them travel to several faires during the year, but some are exclusive to Arizona.

You can find practically everything there from clothing and costuming, jewelry, artwork, handcrafted items, unique souvenirs and much more.

This is only a sample of the products that are available at the Arizona Renaissance Festival.

The Arizona Renaissance Fesival is seven miles east of Apache Junction Down US 60.

From Scottsdale and Points North - Take 101 Loop South to US 60 East to Ren Fest.

From West Valley - Take I-10 East to US60 East to Ren Fest.

From Tucson and Points South - Take I-10 West to US 60 East to Ren Fest or Take Rte 77 North to Rte 79 North through Florence to US 60 West to Ren Fest.

Coming from the north and west, US 60 narrows to two lanes. Years of experience in traffic control have caused the officers to set up cones about a half mile in advance. Stay in the right lane to enter the Ren Fest parking.

Coming from the south via the US 60 from Florence, you will have to pass the Ren Fest, turn around where you can clear the median and then stay in the right lane to enter Ren Fest Parking.

Sunscreen - Although it tends to be cooler in the first couple months, the sun is still shining brightly. Those who don't slather it on will suffer. There is shade, but you tend to spend a lot of time in one place, without shade (especially at the Joust and Falconer's Heath), so expect to burn if you don't take precautions.

Water - The Ren Fest sells water (and wine, and beer, and you name it) but they don't bother you if you bring your own supplies. Its dusty, sometimes windy, and generally gritty. Bring plenty of water and stay hydrated.

Cash - Tickets, food, souvenirs, tips, more food, artisan goods, more tips, you get the idea. They have ATMs there, but like any ATM at a remote location, you're paying a premium. Most if not all vendors take Lady Visa and Master-Card, but bring plenty of cash, too.

Pain relievers, Stomach remedies and the like - It's hot, dry and dusty out there, and with all the booze and spicy food, you can have all sorts of problems. Have a small med kit for all the things you may need. The ARF is also somewhat remote, so if you need insulin, nitro, your inhaler or other lifesaving kit, bring it with you, bring extra and have it handy.

Note: The Ren Fest does have roving medics who wear brightly colored non-costume yellow outfits and carry big yellow/red cross flags, and they don't hide the fact that they are there to help if you need it. Even so, they only treat minor issues, so its smart to be prepared and if you need serious care, an ambulance will be summoned.

Costumes - It's not required to come in costume and the vast majority of goers do not, but if you are so inclined, you are welcome and encouraged. If you wear a kilt, you will get sheep jokes made in your direction. Take it like a man!

Note: They used to rent basic costumes (or so I thought) but this is no longer the case. There are more than enough vendors there that you could certainly find all the pieces you need for any period (and not-so period) dress for future trips to the Ren Fest.

Update: They DO rent costumes at the ARF so if you aren't costumed but want to fit in, you can. I still recommend checking out the various costume and clothing shops here and there throughout the Faire.

It is not required to attend the Arizona Renaissance Festival in period attire when you are a guest. In fact, the vast majority don't. However, many people enjoy doing so, and it's fun.

There are many great vendors from whom you can buy costume elements, as well as personnel there who can give you advice as to authenticity and style.

The ARF used to be very strict for its cast on period and style. I think regulations have slipped a tiny bit, but everything there is very authentic, to a point, and people there do take their crafts seriously. That being said, you won't be criticized if you aren't strictly period, (you might be complimented, and probably joshed around with in fun). There are also a wide variety of styles to choose from, so you will fit in in one aspect or another.

Some Ideas:

Kilts - Scots are well represented at the Faire, and its easy to don a kilt, a flowing shirt, some boots and a tam (don't forget a big feather). Some Scots (including myself when attired), wear the great kilt (which wraps over the shoulder and pooches in the back as a natural pocket) but this isn't necessary.

Ladies - A variety of dresses are seen at the Ren Faire, and if you're a crafty seamstress, you may want to consult with someone at the Faire, your local SCA, or books and period movies about styles and accouterments (jewelry, skirt hoops and the like). There are many fine dresses at the Faire, but there is some craft to the many layers. The materials should be fine, or look like it. Ask a lady.

Wenches/Commoner Women - A very popular outfit at the Faire for the women, this usually consists of a peasant-y top and skirt, with boots or simple slippers. The material should be loose, cotton, flowing, simple, and so as to fit in and appeal to everyone, bosom enhancing/revealing.

For Ladies' and Common Womens' costumes, bodices are a common and attractive addition to the costume. Get more info here.

Pirates - We have quite a pirate contingent and they are very popular. Think flowing shirt, tight pants, perhaps cut at the knee, appropriate head scarves and hats, jewelry and the like. They aren't common, but this year (2008) a man showed up in a full British period naval costume. Coat, pants, boots, epaulets on the shoulders, sabre, very impressive, but a first.

Fantasy outfits - The ARF is not strictly a fantasy faire, as they do shoot for period, but you do see a large number of fairies, forest folk, the occasional satyr and other woodland creatures (no furries). Women seem to like the fairies/nymphs/etc, so go for ragged diaphonous outfits, horns, leaves, slippers, and the like. We get the occasional wizard. If you go like that, accent yourself with plenty of mystical googaws - pendents, stones, wands, maybe a familiar. Be creative.

Clergy - We get our share of holy men, from simple monks to full on cardinals. The fancier the better, although sackcloth friars are just as appropriate.

Gypsies - Gypsies have risen steadily in popularity, along the same lines as the pirates, and so we have quite a few gypsy travelers with instruments, wearing humble but authentic gypsy/nomad clothing. For the women, the belly dancer/harem girl look is very popular, and you will not be out of place dressed as such.

Armored knights, Barbarians and Soldiers - I would expect to see more people dressed as warriors but you don't really see it. Nevertheless, if you're willing to wear your favorite armor in the heat, go for it. There's a small group of barbarians (leather armor, horned helms/hats, furry boots) that have "invaded" the Faire and they always look great.

Note: The only tabard wearing knights/squires/pages I EVER see are at the joust, so if you wanted to go like this, you would certainly stand out. Faire clothing seems to run for what people would wear for a day of celebration (and it is!), so even soldiers and guards are dressed to party, thus they look like everyone else. If you came in armor and a tabard, you wouldn't be inappropriate, but you would probably be the only one.

Banners, etc. Probably overkill. It's not really an opportunity to impose your SCA identity on the Faire (if you have one). Instead, consider wearing your SCA party togs and leave it at that.

Weapons - For the same reason you don't need banners and tabards, if you bring weapons, they better be peace bonded. For the uninitiated, this means that any blade or apparent blade must be sheathed and tied to the scabbard. If it isn't, the friendly folks at the gate will bond it for you. You can buy everything from wooden swords to fully sharp steel weapons at the Faire, and you'll see a fair assortment of kids (and adults) swinging the wooden ones around indiscriminately, but nevertheless, peace bond your weapons.

If you're going with friends, try to find a theme. A group of roving pirates, all of your girlfriends as enticing gypsy dancers, a pack of fairies, or a bunch of bekilted Scots makes for a good group, you may be easier to find each other in a crowd, and when you're together, you'll draw attention, if that's your thing.

Use your imagination and dress for yourself. Although you want to fit in, if you want to warp the image with a little fantasy, don't let reality impose itself on you. At a show you'll have a fully bedecked lady sitting on one side of you and a redneck in a t-shirt on the other. You can't really go wrong there. Granted, its not a Con, so no horror, no sci fi, no furries, no anime characters. You get the idea.

When in doubt, ask your friends. If you're thinking about going in costume, your friends are probably behind it. See what their doing, get some advice and do something that fits you, but maybe fits their theme as well.

You definitely don't need to go in costume to have a good time at the Arizona Renaissance Festival, but if costuming and characterization are your thing, then you'll want to give it a go. Who knows, you may want to work there some day.