I went to my first rennaissance fair in Louisville Ky in about 1974. At that time, the flavor of the original fair held in California in 1965, was still fresh. It was a small affair, the entertainment and concessions run primarily by hippies who seemed to really enjoy the costume and theatrical part of it. My second was in Larkspur CO in about '78, and you could see that the concept was changing- larger crowds, higher prices, a more workman-like approach by the participants.My last one was also in Larkspur, about 1993. Big crowds, $15 to get in,exorbitant prices for the supposed crafts. In my opinion, the "industrification" has ruined the spontaneity and fun of the Ren Fairs- like too many things in America, some people who probably had little to do with the initial concept have turned these events into greedy shadows of what they once were. What once had the atmosphere of a light-hearted journey into the middle ages has become just another cattle-call for the bored masses.

LEJaded