Might I mention, that except for the very smallest of renaissance faires; that the experience of ONE patron can be very different from that of another patron? At Maryland, for instance, there are actors who spend a great deal of time researching their characters, their character's lives, and their characters families, livlihoods, etc. If you follow one of these persons around for the day you discover a whole different Revel Grove then if you spend the day at the White Hart Pub.   

Talk to a half dozen rennies about why they do ren-faire and you are liable to get a dozen or more reasons.