Conference hydra::dejavu

    Well, I really don't classify it as a paranormal event (though it
    has a "magic" of its own), but  since you ask ...
    
    King Richard's Faire, which is held in Carver, Mass., is one of
    a number of such events that simulate a late-Medieval or early-
    Renniassance fair.  Its dates are weekends from 12 September through
    1 November and include Columbus Day (12 October).  Admission is
    $9.75 per adult (with group rates), Children 92-10) $4.00, and children
    under two no charge.   Tickets purchased in groups of 25 get a
    $3.00/ticket discount (the group rate), but are only good Sept 12,
    13, 19, 26; and Oct 3, 10, 12, 17, 24, and Hallowe'en.
    
    Admission lets you see lots of free stuff, but if you want to do
    anything special (e.g., shoot arrows, throw battle axes, etc), it'll
    cost you $1.00 each.  Food is available, (I love the ribs), but
    not cheap.  Jousts, juggling, playlets, and so forth are no charge.
    
    If you want even further information,  thweir number is (617) 866-
    5391.
    
    Oh, to keep it at least _slightly_ in keeping with the Conference
    topics, at one or two of the handicrafts stalls (of which there
    are _plenty_; my wife and I easily dropped $100 visiting there last
    year), there are replicas of Medieval good luck charms (seals inscribed
    on pettwe) and there was, at least last year, a Tarot reader.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
    

    Steve between you and Mike Morgan, The Encyclopedia Britannica is
    destined to go out of business :-)
    
    Thanx for the info,
    
    Lenny

    Re .last_few:
    
    Okay; I contacted the Faire, and they're sending me a blank form,
    which I shall "personalize" and circulate if I can get assurance
    that at least 25 people will get tickets.  As noted before, the
    tickets can be used on any of the following days: 12, 13, 19, and
    26 September and 3, 10, 17, and 24 October, plus Hallowe'en.
    The deal is that by "personalizing" the form, the Faire people can
    be sure that they get at least 25 so that we can qualify for the
    discount.
    
    Remember: ===>You don't have to go as a group.<===   You're just
                  buying tickets as a group.  Everyone can send in their
                  order forms individually; they just need to send out
                  at least 25 tickets.  You can send in direct and re-
                  ceive your tickets direct from the Faire.(not through me)
    
    If there are that many people interested, please let me know and
    I'll send out forms.  I'm getting nothing to do this, but I want
    that discount, too.  You can contact me on INK::KALLIS or ERASER::KALLIS
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    
    Now it can be told. The following is something of a bummer, 
    but I'll preface it with the following:
    
    In the literature from the Faire, they have a section on getting
    group discount tickets.  The third option (besides a tour or consignment
    tickets) is:  "We can send a personalized order form to duplicate
    and distribute to your group members.  _Individuals_ mail payments and
    a completed order form to us for discounted tickets.  Some restrictions
    apply.  Call 617/866-5391."
    
    Okay, that's the background.  Now, I called and was told by someone
    there (a man) that he'd note my name/address to send out the form.
    It never came.  A week plus later, I called again and this time got
    a woman who indicated she'd send out the form.  Instead, I got another
    flysheet, a poster, and a theme-of-the-Fair description.  So I called
    _again_, and this time (about a week ago) was told that the woman
    I was talking to couldn't do the form because it would be too hard
    chasing down individual checks.  I suggested that rather than checks,
    it be stipulated that money orders be used; she indicated that would
    be a good idea and said she would get back to me in a few days.
    
    After calling the Faire again a few days agoand asking specifically to
    speak to someone other than her, she returned my call and indicated that
    she had called back last weekend and left a message (impossible, unless
    she got the wrong number); the gist is that (this time) only "large
    organizations" can use the third option.
    
    I plan to go to the Faire, and pay full price.  If some organization
    you belong to wants to round up 25 people, well...
    
    But, regretfully, I can do no more.
    
    Wish it had been better news.
    
    Steve  Kallis, Jr. 

    Perhaps if we all put on weight ...

    Does anyone have directions from 495
    

    The easiest way:  Go South on 495 as if going towards the Cape.
    Shortly before Carver, one will see a sign mentioning that the
    Eadeville Railroad will be at the next exit.  Tale that exit and
    follow the Eadeville signs (there may be a King Richard's sign or
    two by that time.  Go _past_ the Eadeville turnoff and follow the
    (temporary) King Richard's signs until you reach the turnoff; this
    is often traffic-directed by a member of the constabulary.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr. 

    Has anyone been to the faire yet?  I plan to go tomorrow and was
    wondering if there are any critiques or opinions.  I've
    never been to a renaissance faire on the east coast, but the
    one by the bay area in San Francisco is always a favorite of
    mine.  I assume they are similer??????????
    
    Also, is one expected to *dress up* or is that optional?
    
    Thanks,
    Katie
     

    I plan to go this weekend, but we're waiting to see what the weather
    report is (my wife and I might wear longjohns); so far, Sunday sounds
    like the better day, according to the Weather Guessers.  However,
    I've heard that it's improved over last year, and last year was
    quite good.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    I too will be going, with about a dozen friends, on Saturday.  It
    should be LOTS of fun.  I'll send in a critique upon my return.
    
    Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah
    
    -Jody
    

    I'm going Sunday.  If anyone sees someone with curly hair, a Dragon's
    shirt and jeans, ask him if Common Sense Rules ;-)
                                                  
    Dave

    It was MUCH more than I expected.  Yes it cost to get in.  But the
    food was good, the dancing, the music, and even the joust (it is
    more fun being on the bad-guys side).  I got my face painted in
    exotic designs by a wonderfully artistic woman with a face (and
    body) painting cart.  We spent LOTS of money.  Some of the "shops"
    that caught my eye sold:
    
    Metal chain-and-bead headpieces
    wool outerclothes (go see them - they're amazing)
    dresses and vestments of all sorts
    fuzzy things
    prisms and fantasy-figures cast in metal
    
    etc.
    
    and the caramel apples are FRESH FRESH FRESH (just dipped)
    and I had no idea how I'd spend a whole day there - but I found
    myself wanting to come back...again...but the wallet can't stand
    it, so I'll wait til next summer.
    
    After looking in the program, I noticed they have and INTERNSHIP
    program if you want to "be a part of it".  Hmmmmm.
    
    -Jody
    

    And I'll make my report.
    
    The Faire is a little larger than last year; the ribs are as good.
    There are a few new features, one or two so new they're not even
    listed in the program.
    
    The "petting zoo" (no, you get to pet animals) has, among other
    things, a unicorned goat, so if you really want to fantasize ...
    (my wife was absolutely taken by a pair of miniature goats, and
    mwentioned that such might make good pets).
    
    One of the new things is a tour of a (small) graveyard my someone
    with a long, flowing (and, given the length and eveness, probably
    artificial) beard, dressed in a cowled, long-sleeved robe.  Looks
    very mysterious.
    
    The handicrafts shops are still good, though in a place or two there
    are some severe anachronisms (one seller of fantasy paintings had
    some very science-fictional ones, for instance), but for the most
    part, it stays fairly honest.
    
    One thing to watch out for: this year some visitors have their dogs
    with them, so watch out where you step, or in the case of the
    tuurnament field, where you sit (as I found out the hard way).
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    I made it down there on Saturday.  It was a good time but VERY
    expensive.  The Turkey leg was 8 tickets ($4).  The performances are
    free, even though after performances the actors go out to the crowds
    to collect money.
    
    If you're interested in crafts expect to spend tens, or even over
    a hundred dollars.  But, the stuff is extremely high quality and
    usually hand made.  I was looking at custom boots made of buffalo hide
    starting at $175 (That's for a shoe, not a boot!), and a heavy wool
    cloak was around $125. I bought a dagger from the blacksmith for $40. 

    Overall, I had a great time.

    Re: .15
    
    Oh ya. The dagger was *ALL* I bought :-(

    Well, I got the mailing for this year.
    
    1988 season --
    
    Every weekend from 10 September through 30 October.
    
    Hours: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM "or dark."
    
    Tickets -- Adults, $10.75; children- 5-10, $5.00; under-5 children,
    free.
    
    Group rates for 25 or more, so you might want to app[rise Personnel
    that you'd be interested (I will, but one voice in the wilderness
    ---).
    
    The appropriate Personnel department is Employee Services and
    recreation, DTN 223-5402.
    
    For info on the Faire, (508)-866-5391
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    1989 semi-update:
    
    Went last weekend, and there's good news, great news, and a couple
    of minor things not so great.
    
    To dispose of the last first, admission has climbed $1.00, so now
    it's nearly $12.00 per adult.   Also, the tickets used to redeem
    for food (each worth 50 cents and good _only_ for food and drink
    -- and they _won't_ take cash), can be bought only in $5.00 lots.
    So unless you want to get a lot of extra tickets, budget carefully.
    
    But it's still a bargain.
    
    The Faireground's enlarged, with the ribs (ahh... still as tasty
    as ever), brotwurst, sausages, and turkey drumsticks available at
    the "New Castlegate Inn" rather than at what once was called "the
    King's Kitchen," now the "Canterbury Kitchen," where one can still
    get the curled French Fries, salad, ice cream, sodas, beer, and
    wine.  There are two Champagne stands.  There are two rides, a
    swanboat swing and a sort of carousel.  The graveyard's been relocated
    to off the King's Stage, and there are more crafts shops.  There
    are lots of pewter figurines, including unicorns, wizards, and dragons,
    for those so inclined.
    
    To keep this within the "spirit" of the Conference, there were a
    couple of cartomancers, one using a staid Rider-Waite deck, and
    the other using Star+Gate, and an astrologer.  A couple of the shops
    were selling "crystal" balls, including one stunning one that must
    have been close to 9 inches in diameter (at close to $1,000).  One
    place was selling pewter pentagrams, too.  And for those who wish,
    there are plain swords available at moderate cost ($60 up ... and
    up).
    
    For those with ambitions of attending a costume party on Hallowe'en,
    there were several shops with Period costume, and others with cloaks
    and capes.
    
    On the down side, it was terribly humid and hot yesterday, cutting
    our stay short and increasing our intake of cold beverages (one
    stand ran completely out of Coke, and another out of bottled sparkling
    water).  We may return later, when things cool somewhat.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    
    The weekend of Labor day, and every weekend (long weekends included)
    until October 21st, King Richard's Renaissance Faire takes place from
    11 a.m. til 6 p.m.

    It is full of singing, dancing, medieval wares sold for your pleasure,
    fine food, good drink, and the Royal Joust, and can be found by
    following the signs off Exit 2 from route 495 (in Carver, MA, near the
    cape).

    Admission is $11.75 for adults, but I think employees can get a
    discount by talking to their employee services folks....Children 5 to
    10 are $5.00, and children under 5 are free.

    'Tis most unique!

    -Jody

    
    
    	I went yesterday, with my 8.75 emmployee discount tickets...I
    	understand McDonald's is giving out coupons, too. (?) 
    
    	Compared to the Renaissance Fair's I've been to in Atlanta and
    	Sarasota, this one was very small, had very few and unimaginative
    	`wares', and expensive food (buying the tickets was a pain, I think
    	we bought $25 worth by the end of the day...). 
    
    	The wandering entertainers didn't interact with the crowd very
    	much. We saw all we wanted to see within three hours, but hung
    	around another hour or so to catch the jousting. 
    
    	I'm sure there are those of you who will disagree with me, but I
    	didn't really enjoy it....
    
    	Sherry
    

This year, we brought two children with us -- two boys (one a nephew of my wife;
the other, his Best Friend) aged 7 and 9.  Thast was something of a tactical
error, as the boys got us running our legs off without really being able to
savor the Faire.

The boys saw their first joust, and one got a wooden dagger; the other a wooden
sword.  We saw a great juggling/mime act, and the boys tried a couple of
the paid events (one deliberately "lost" himself in a maze), including the
Archery range.

Unlike our previous visit, it was cool enough and the humidity was quite
pleasant.  New attractions included an elephant ride (neither boy was interested)
and a merry-go-round sort of thing where the horses, etc. would swivel outward 
so that as it spun, the riders would be pulled away from the center via centri-
fugal effects.

Some fun, though exhausting.

Steve Kallis, Jr.

    
    RE: .-1
    
    	"savor the Faire" !?  (<-- attempt at an interrobang)
    
    Was that on purpose, S.A., or do your puns just flow from
    the subconscious?
    
    	rjc

Re .22 (Bob):

    >Was that on purpose, S.A., or do your puns just flow from
    >the subconscious?

Rather than "on purpose," let's just say "in satiable." ;-D

Steve Kallis, Jr.