Opening Weekend at TRF2002

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OPENING WEEKEND

at the

TEXAS RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 2002

T he long-awaited opening of TRF2002 finally arrived -- and none too soon for those of us suffering "Terminal Faire Withdrawl" here in Texas! As usual, it was WAY too hot on that Friday before Opening Weekend. Think: setting up camp at the TRF Patron Campground in 97F with 95% humidity, cloudless skies and nary a breeze. Praise the Godz it cooled off after sunset!!! Again -- as usual -- I partied with Chaos, The Renegades and NightBreed (Photo, Above: setting up the Nightbreed Encampment at the TRF Patron Campground) 'til 9pm, but missed the nightly drumjam. Mea culpa, but I had just spent too many hours on my feet at my mundane job the week before! So I took a painkiller, went to bed and slept right soundly -- despite a private drumjam next door on my right and the Knights of Chaos blowing their hunting horns 'til 3am on my left -- or so I was told by both Reverend Warlock and TAZ. They were both surprised and amazed I slept right through it all! What can I say but Praise the Godz for industrial-strength earplugs with a 31-decibel noise reduction rating!!! (Photo, Below: while NightBreed went Medieval with their campsite, other TRF patrons added a touch of Gothick decour to their part of the campground with skulls, skeletons and other assorted bones).

So Saturday morning I was up early, made gate and took in First Court, the Morning Proclamation by the King and Queen where they set the stage for the festival's storyline. This day was also something of an occasion for me, as I was breaking in my new garb for faire (Photo, Left). Frankly, I've gotten pretty tired of being mistaken either for a Catholic priest or a Christian monk when I'm trying to play a Druid! I figured that green robes with a sickle-dagger at my belt and a wreath of ivy around my head might be enough clues not to call me "Father." On a more practical note, my new garb was also MUCH lighter and cooler than my old set! Not only does it BREATHE more readily, but it quickly absorbs moisture, then dries out swiftly, which are all very important considerations when dealing with the hot Texas sun. Truly -- to quote the commercial -- 100% cotton IS the fabric of our lives!!! Shortly after First Court, I spotted my old friend Ben in his Dark Faerie garb, chatting with a young Faerie near the Main Gate (Photo, Below). As usual, we talked for quite awhile, sharing our personal news and views since last we'd met...

In the course of our conversation, he happened to mention that Regina -- a mutual friend of ours, who played the Faerie Aviana with me at TRF2000 -- was also there that day. Due to a serious illness, it seems, she had been out and away from faire for almost two years but had just improved considerably over the past Summer. Well, hardly had Ben said her name when she appeared as if by magick! Needless to say, I was most surprised to see her again. Then she gave me a really BIG hug and we proceeded to catch up on all our news of the past two years. It was a real pleasure talking with her there, reminding me that she has always been one of the more thoughtful and intelligent young women of my acquaintance. Of course THEN she surprised me again by asking if she could hang out with me for the rest of the day! Now I may be old, but I sure ain't STUPID!! Hey, if a beautiful, 25-year-old woman is going to ask me to "do faire" with her, it's a sure bet I'm NOT going to say "No"!!! So off we went to enjoy the usual Scotch Eggs for breakfast, swung by the Sea Devil Tavern to meet'n greet mutual friends, then went through the Magick Garden, scattering Dragon Tears and hunting the ever-elusive TRF Goblins. Thanks to Regina, we found them, too! Since she knows a lot of the TRF Cast personally, she can always find out what's going on and where simply by asking one of her friends there. Not to mention I also got an earful of insider gossip just by standing aside and letting them talk together (Photo, Below: Regina with Ryleh the Wanderer at TRF)!!!

GALLERIES

Another Opening, Another Show!--A sneak preview of the Texas Renaissance Festival 2002 BEFORE Opening Weekend!

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Standard Disclaimer: This webpage is strictly an *Unofficial* look at the Texas Renaissance Festival held near Houston every year since 1974. The author of these pages is in no way, shape, manner or form connected with the Texas Renaissance Festival (OFFICE ADDRESS: RR 2 Box 650 Plantersville, TX 77363-1505) and/or any of the sponsors associated with this event. All opinions expressed are strictly this author's own. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are copyright Š2001-2003 by George Laking.

This page created 10 June 2003