We had the absolute best day at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire in 2023. This season has been rough for faire organizers, as every-single weekend has seen rain. This means a lot of overcrowding on the few nice days.
My ideal faire weather is overcast with even a very slight drizzle and chilly. While the weather for a Saturday in early October looked like it might be another washout, the forecast is never certain. We had already postponed faire plan because of rain once, and were determined to go no matter the weather.
To that end we planned costumes and accessories that could take the moisture, and kept some clear umbrellas in the car just in case. Arriving at opening gates we suited up in the parking lot as usual and snapped a few pre-faire photos before we got soppy. Jake’s outfit contained several newly finished pieces! A bit of a sewing scramble before the faire, I finished him a new hat, a new vest, a new pouch, and he fashioned himself a waist sash from one of the remnants. I talked about the hat and vest in the last two week’s blog posts, links above. Next week I’ll get to the pouch.
My outfit was a novel mashing together of things I’ve worn previously, but it might have been the first time I wore this particular cap. Humidity is my hair’s greatest enemy, so for a faire day in the rain, better–and more historically accurate–to cover the mane. I chose flowy pants instead of a long skirt because of the potential for mud, topped with an overskirt. My new waterproof Sperries in green and olive kept my feet warm and dry all day. My top half was breathable in a cotton chemise and leather bodice topped with my heavy brocade split-cloak and hood. I had an extra sash for real downpours, but didn’t really need it. On my Moresca belt (brave of me to wear it in the rain, I know), I had a water-bottle pouch and tankard. My favorite costume trick for the faire is to hide an apron with large pockets under a layer or two. This added storage space is perfect for holding hand-sanitizer, cells phones, and snacks.
The weather held out well into the late afternoon when there was about 40 minutes of steady rain. We took shelter in the car during this period where we recharged with snacks. The vendors at the 2023 CT ren faire were world-class as always, and we actually made several purchases in the marketplace. Other more expensive-to-enter fairs leave us purse-shy while shopping, but when admission for 2 is one-third the price of other fair’s single tickets, we feel a little more ready to indulge in food, drink, and gifts to ourselves while inside.
I bought myself a hand-woven ratan backpack, which I’ve wanted forever, but have only ever seen at disreputable online retailers. Much better to support a craftswoman and get to select the perfect piece in person. Jake bought himself a long tabard from Crimson Chain Leatherworks and a sparkly pouch as well. We are shaping up to be frequent customers of theirs.
For food we enjoyed baked potatoes, mozzarella sticks, lavender lemonade, libations, and fresh car-snacks. We love that CT doesn’t have food tickets, and with rain threatening, there were no long lines.
We saw live combat, Irish dancing, Belly dance, live music, comedy, bits of the joust, and an improve-due-to-rain acrobatics show. When there are no faire crowds, the performer experience is much more intimate. We also spent more time than usual enjoying the Main Plot. The Cast put on some excellent performances which were more accessible with the inclement weather and no crowds. It’s amazing how much faire you can fit in when you stay all day and don’t wait in any lines!
After the main fair concluded, the after-hours Halloween party began. So did the rain. We stayed for a portion of the dance party in the Pavilion, but there’s a limit to how much one can shake-it in steel boning. The dogs were waiting for their dinner, so after a few songs and fun with the smoke machine, we called it a night.
