I’ve also used that research for more modern games, where relatively immortal beings are concerned. Being able to discuss my characters’ life in Renaissance England or pre-Garibaldi Italy made my Vampire characters seem more ancient. And that was when I was playing.

The PA Renn Faire is the one I’m most likely to go to these days. I’ve got family about a mile from it and the faire is really nifty. It is on the grounds of a winery, they have a house and indoor amphitheatre where they do edgar allan poe weekends in the fall, christmas carol days in the winter, etc. They’ve got something going on year round.

@Kurt “Telas” Schneider – I had a lot of friends who traveled the circuit and said Scarborough was one of the biggest they went to. I’ve always wanted to check it out, but never been down texas way.

Scarby also has a Memorial Day Veteran’s Parade. Everyone who has served gets a yellow sash, and marches through the faire. The first year they had it, there was a hundred-yard long arch of swords as we marched out of the holding area. Everyone marching went dead silent, and even the hard-assed ex-Marines got misty-eyed at the sight of it.

Geez, now I’m babbling about renfests… Gotta get another hobby.

The Four Winds Faire in NE Texas (near Tyler) is pretty small and cozy, but they do actual jousting, not the WWE-style stuff you see at most faires. They also have a late night April Fool’s Masquerade Ball.

Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie (south of Dallas) is an excellent renfest located in and around an old oak forest, although sadly there’s no onsite camping. Scarby promotes the handmade items whenever possible.

Bonuses for Texas faires: Real weapons allowed (peace-tied, though). Relaxed alcohol and tobacco policies. And <a href=http://www.insultor.com/<Christophe the Insulter.

And being able to handle those items that Troy described helps a GM tremendously. You begin to describe things in better detail, and you note the little things about swords, pikes, and chainmail when you see them in use.