- What is it that you do or sell? I am a long-time Faire-loving patron that specializes in researching, connecting, and promoting Ren Faires, Scottish Games, and other related events to benefit, inform, and educate the Ren Faire community of Oklahoma.
- Where are you located? Currently, I am located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. But, that will soon change to the United Kingdom, the heart of Ren Faire history!
- What got you interested in starting out in this passion? After moving to Oklahoma, I felt there was a lack of knowledge and access to finding and attending events of Ren Faires and the like around the state, something I had easy access to back in my home state of New York. After visiting the Castle of Muskogee for a couple years, I decided to start networking and researching other events I could attend outside of the Muskogee season.
- What was your local faire or home faire? My original home faire is the New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo, NY. When we moved to Oklahoma, it became the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival. Now, with all the faires I’ve visited, I just call the state of Oklahoma my home faire!
- What advice do you have to give to others that are just starting out in this passion? Or how to stay in this passion? Never truly expect anything in return, just pursue and enjoy what you do. I don’t get payment for advertising or promoting the faires I research or give tips and tricks on. I share my information freely, to enrich our community and sense of belonging to one another, because now, more than ever, we need to acknowledge our differences, to understand that it’s not our differences that define us, but the common passions and loves we all share.
- Why Renaissance Faires or theme? What is it that made you so interested in this period? I would say it’s the mix of history and fantasy. I love how revolutionary the time way, especially with the arts and literature. For the fantasy part, I’ve always had the strong belief that there’s a reason why fae, dragons, unicorns, and more always found their way into stories or emblems. Just because you can’t See, doesn’t mean it’s not there.
- Describe your first experience with us or your best experience. It’s really hard to narrow it down to one event. During my time here in Oklahoma, I had the opportunity to become part of such a wonderful, welcoming, engaging Ren Faire community spanning all across the state. Whether it was Guthrie, Muskogee, Vinita, or even various Scottish Games, we met an innumerable amount of people who recognized and came to know us, always showing excitement whenever we showed up or stopped for a chat. The Oklahoma Ren Faire Circuit experience is the best one I have ever had the pleasure to know, and I am very sad I must leave it for a while. I will take their kindness, their encouragement, and their sense of fairemily with me across the vast pond!
- In five years (or less) my goal is to: come back to Oklahoma with a fresh take, new ideas, and even more passion for Ren Faires, using my new experiences from faires and events I attend in the United Kingdom!
- At faire, what was your garb/attire your usual go to? For a while, I was a simple traveler/mage character that was afraid to stand out with what I really wanted to do, as I’ve always been nervous about drawing attention to myself (yay, introvert!). One year after faire, my dear husband finally pushed me to step out of my shell and get my very first set of angel wings, encouraging me to go full-out with their look and design. I recall being very nervous and shy when I first debuted them at the Norman Medieval Faire in 2022. Before even walking out of the parking lot, I was getting compliments and looks! If not for my friends and husband, I probably would have taken them off and continued hiding. But their unending support kept me going, and still keep me going to this day. Nowadays, I put them on, take a deep breath, and “strut my stuff” into whatever crowd I’m approaching.
- What’s your idea for the future of faires? I hope to see them continue as being places that are open, welcoming, and friendly to all who need an escape away from the troubles of the mundane world. It’s easy to be mean, cruel, and stone-hearted to everything and everyone that isn’t you or has gone through what you have. It takes a special effort of the heart to live, laugh, and love in the face of darkness, and Ren Faires are able to do just that. Remember to be kind, gentle, and understanding when you meet new people or talk to a vendor. They’re here to share their joy and passion with you, if only for a smile to help brighten your day.
If you wish to follow my new adventures in the United Kingdom, or want to see what I’ve done for Oklahoma in the past, or even want to find out what Oklahoma’s Ren Faire circuit has to offer vendors and performers, please visit my page @renfaireangel on Facebook! Thank you for being the most magical part of Ren Faires across the country!
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Authors Note:
Thanks so much Ren Faire Angel! I love interviewing all these great characters and hope you dear readers go and find her and meet her in her travels!
Again, this is a promotional service that I provide, so please do your due diligence of researching.
#HUZZAH! Hope you all had a great summer. Fall is here, so that means mostly that Renaissance Faire Season is upon us here in New England (MA) and other places in the country and in the world!
If you, your group, your troupe and I’ve even featured some authors, are interested in being featured, please reach out to us on our fan page: http://www.facebook.com/renperfmerch
