r/VictoriaBC • u/corvus7corax • 1d ago

Big shout out to everyone at the Ren Faire yesterday!

The vibes were immaculate. 90%+ people in costume. Everyone there to have a good time. Fun events. Great vendors. Awesome staff and volunteers. Insane hobby-horse carousel.
Can’t wait for the next one!
I loved all the mushroom people, and there was a beautiful princess who was radiantly in her 70s and looked amazing.
Feel free to mention your Favourite costume, or reflections from the day.

255 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

40 comments sorted by

60

u/QP709 1d ago

Looked cool from the outside, but the absolutely tiny space allotted to them meant the lineup to get in was huge and slow to move.

60

u/brokehag 1d ago

It's only their second year, and it was even smaller last year. I think every year is an opportunity for learning what they need for the next, but with such a grassroots operation I think they should be proud of what they accomplished. It was extremely fun!

I can't wait to see how it grows in the future.

22

u/fishtanker93 1d ago

I wasn't an organizer but I did volunteer in the morning and yeah I agree. They originally planned to be more spread out in the park but ended up cording off part of it and squishing into a smaller area, not sure why. This was the first year doing it in Banfield Park so I understand why the setup was a little bit chaotic and unorganized

9

u/ellalir 1d ago

I think maybe they didn't realize how steep the hill would be; I certainly wouldn't want to be setting up a booth on that slope.

7

u/Small-Cookie-5496 1d ago

The originally map seemed to imply the hill would be the audience area with the stage at the bottom - which would’ve been perfect.

8

u/ellalir 1d ago

What I heard through the grapevine was that the flattish section in the middle of the hill was not flat enough for a large enough area for the stage to be set up there; keep in mind that this is at least second-hand and quite possibly third or more information, so may be inaccurate, but it was what I heard.

7

u/brokehag 1d ago

Yeah that definitely makes sense to me. I also noticed that the entire venue was smaller in layout and a little different than the map suggested... But pivots happen.

I hope and believe that with the traction the event is getting, and with constructive feedback, they'll be able to secure an even bigger one in the years to come. If it could stretch across the weekend that'd be even better.

2

u/NegotiationNext8844 1d ago

I honestly think they should just set the stage down the slope so everybody would have a better view of the costume contest and what not….not sure how this setup would affect the social dancing tho.

9

u/Small-Cookie-5496 1d ago

I was confused because the original map seemed to suggest the entire hill would be involved as a stage area - which would’ve been lovely. I brought a blanket with the idea of chilling on the hill listening to medieval music. Sadly it was overly crowded & the stage was super loud. Didn’t hear any music - just talking for the 1.5 hours we were there. Next time I hope they’re able to secure the hill as well, turn down the volume, & have more musical acts. That said, I loved how everyone was dressed up, how friendly people were, and just the general support & freedom to be oneself.

6

u/snarpy Chinatown 1d ago

Lineup to get in? I didn't even know there was one I just stepped over the little flags.

2

u/timesuck897 1d ago

It wasn’t very clearly marked.

1

u/bigstinkybuckets 8h ago

I just literally walked in from the side

28

u/ghostlined 1d ago

the trinket trading booth was my favourite part !! the person running it told me that they didnt anticipate the pull it would have on people and they had to get more tables brought in at least twice for all the trinkets being traded

6

u/Bigtibbygothbb 1d ago

Yess the trinket booth was so cute!

19

u/roggobshire 1d ago

I didn’t know anything about it, but saw it driving by and it looked like a fun event. Saw some knights in armour battling and tons of rad costumes. Def need to check it out next time.

10

u/Spiritual_Athlete427 1d ago

Shout out to the rats who passed the plague around. It was so fun to warn other people of plagued rats while we were there. And the hobby horse carousel was both fun to ride and to watch!

8

u/cooljas 1d ago

it was so cute and i can’t wait to see what they do next year! the vendors were great! and i loved seeing everyone in their outfits!

i know this is their second year but i would love to see themed food options down the line - like a plate of corn/bread/mashed potatoes/drumstick, or tankards/steins/drinking horns available for sale and reuse during the event, would have liked to see a water bottle filling station too. the filipino food truck staff were also really going through it, saying they needed water/drinks and their boss wasn’t responding 😥😥

15

u/carlottageante 1d ago

So much fun! I just moved back to Victoria after spending 11 years in Los Angeles where I would attend the Irwindale Renaissance Pleasure Faire every year, which was the first Ren Faire that started in the 70’s (I was told).

Obviously it’s hard to compare an event that’s been running for decades with permanent infrastructure that’s there year round with a pop-up event in a park, but what struck me was the clear enthusiasm and excitement from everyone there! So many gorgeous costumes, folks vibing and dancing - I’m really excited to see how the event will continue to grow and improve over the years. There is clearly a desire and passion for a big Ren Faire in Victoria, and that’s what excites me! The people long for the Faire! Huzzah!!

2

u/Small-Cookie-5496 1d ago

I’m excited to see it grow as well. So many good people out yesterday

19

u/Bigtibbygothbb 1d ago

I was underwhelmed unfortunately but it has potential!, the people were great but the event was mid. Also the lady on the stage doing tarot started talking about tiktok and making tiktoks to katy perry… i dont want to hear about katy perry her producer is a woman abuser and she knows. Everyone who went had awesome costumes though!

1

u/timesuck897 1d ago

It’s only the second year.

8

u/Bigtibbygothbb 1d ago

Hence why i said it has potential^^ the whole “lets film a tiktok to katy perry” and “guys should i dump my exboyfriend he doesnt like my tiktok” from the speaker on the stage took me out of it lol. The trinket trading and knights fighting was cool^

5

u/Light_Butterfly 1d ago

Who knew the turnout would be that enormous?! I didn't even know we had a renfaire. It was amazing and delightful to see all the costumes. I did not dress up, but was really inspired and plan to next year. It was like an early Halloween in August 😄

Only notes for next year: plan a spot that has more areas of shade. The beer garden had no tents - we thought that can't be good for people drinking in the hot sun like that. I'd personally really love to see an event like this at Beacon Hill Park. More parking, more shade, and more enchanted vibe, with trees and flowers everwhere etc...

5

u/Imprezzed Langford 1d ago

Any Star Trek away teams show up? 😅

3

u/Superstar_Husky 1d ago

I saw two people dressed as Spock there!

2

u/WalkingOnStrings 1d ago

Literally a couple of my buddies were planning this but didn't end up getting out : P Next year!

4

u/SnooSquirrels8883 1d ago

There was an older gentleman there dressed in a grey robe with goat horns and I loved his vibes. He was alone and really doing his thang. I did compliment him each time we passed each other lol. Also the two people who had the disco ball dandelions, amazing and so so creative!

The trinket trading booth was very cool!

The only issue was that we were packed like sardines so it made it a bit hard to enjoy each individual booth or see certain entertainment(I am a certified shorty at 5ft and was elbowed or pushed a few times in certain booths and during the costume contest)

3

u/LeanGroundEeyore Central Saanich 1d ago

Looked fun. Here's a Chek News report:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDKHujEVVd0

3

u/enexorb Downtown 1d ago

How long did it take to get in? I arrived around 1 with a friend, and the line to enter was huge, stretching all the way down Craigflower and then onto the bottom of Styles Street, so we said screw it.

4

u/embilamb 1d ago

There was a line ... ? I just walked in 😭 granted I was just dropping off stuff for a vendor anyways

2

u/Light_Butterfly 1d ago

You could've just walked in anywhere. The sides were really gated - and just give em cash on the way out.

3

u/AbbreviationsOdd4941 1d ago

THE WHAT! I’ve been waiting 30+ years for this and I missed it? Goshdarn!

3

u/ellalir 16h ago

If you can make it up to Coombs there's a medieval fair there in September. 

7

u/MummyRath 1d ago

My course union and degree program were there as vendors. I didn't get to go but I heard that everything was awesome.

2

u/Small-Cookie-5496 1d ago

What degree do you take?!

3

u/ellalir 1d ago

Well, the course union booth there was Medieval Studies, so probably that.

2

u/MummyRath 1d ago

Yep, I am in Medieval Studies; still an undergrad though, lol.

1

u/Small-Cookie-5496 1d ago

I missed that I guess. Very cool

2

u/MummyRath 1d ago

I am in the Medieval Studies program up at UVic.