I just don't know where to begin regarding this year's very awesome VARF season.

  From opening day to the last moment, I can truly say it was one of the best ever. The weather gave us beautiful weekends, even with the rain during the week.  It was really great to see my old friends again and to make so many new ones!  Thank you all so much for just being you, being there, and doing what you do best.  

Those that cannot go unmentioned (in no specific order): 

Patrick, Rose & Keith at the wooden toy shop - thanks for the WILF pins, the use of your "rear" and keeping the rumors straight. There will always be cherries for you!

Anne & Jen up the hill at Glastonbury Designs - I can't wait to wear the beautiful cloak again in the autumn and for many years there after! Thanks for the alteration!

Brenda with her coolie bronze stuff - so talented!   

Iylar, who drums so beautifully, and took time to teach me some stuff.  It was a pleasure dancing to your rhythms.  Let's do more of that next year!

Griffin, one of our fabulous new minstrels - you are a most welcome addition.  Thanks for the song so Tasha could do her hula hoop! Please do come back.

Cat & Dave who worked with me pre-season and continued to work so hard for the duration;

Bob & John over at the Nut House -You two are constantly smiling.  Not sure why sometimes, but always nice to see.

Kevin  - our fantastic photographer who pops up seemingly out of nowhere to get those random shots and somehow manages to be in two places at once.

Myer - your rendition of The Good Ship Lollipop was so horrible it was precious.  You can sleep on my floor anytime.

Thaddeus - you're just awesome. 

Darren - our Sherriff & karaoke king, your eyes are always smiling and a beautiful shade of blue.

My new M'Crack family - Thanks for making me feel so welcome.  I'm looking forward to the next clan gatherin' at MDRF. 

All the rest of the folks hanging out at Hubba's - What's better than starting the night off with the eating of brains and a little time warp?  Steve and his family must all be saints.  Special kudos to them!

 A special thanks has to go to the folks at Lake Anna Winery for their generosity and kindness in the use of their property. 

The entertainment this year was top notch, the story line was imaginative and well-performed, the vendors all had great stuff, and our White Knights did a great job and were always close by.  One just can't ask for a better faire, with better people, and there is none with more heart & soul than VARF.  I'm so glad to call this one home.

Here's to next year.  ::cheers::  

Our revels now are ended. These our actors,

     As I foretold you, were all spirits, and

     Are melted into air, into thin air:

     And like the baseless fabric of this vision,

     The cloud-capp'd tow'rs, the gorgeous palaces,

     The solemn temples, the great globe itself,

     Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve,

     And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,

     Leave not a rack behind.  We are such stuff

     As dreams are made on; and our little life

     Is rounded with a sleep.

    from The Tempest, Act IV Scn 1

www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/mornings/holly_live/...

Holly Morris from Fox 5 News visits VARF !

There's so much I could say to this, I don't know where to start; so I'll just be quiet and let y'all come up with your own comments...

What luck!  An extra day on business travel gave me the opportunity to visit Opening Day at TNRF in lovely Arrington, TN.  The faire site is adorable, good-sized, and set on the hillside of private grounds in the woods.  I'm sorry that I didn't take the chance to go visit the castle near by.

I was pleased to see Lady Ettie and Craig of Farrington again, who each used to play at the old VARF (REC).  It was also nice to see a good turnout of the M'Crack family, some of whom I knew from just a few weeks ago in NCRF and last year at VARF.  Boy, they sure get around!  Guess I do too, for that matter.

The Birds of Prey show was definitely worth mentioning, as I have not seen a show of that nature with so many fine birds!  Axel the Sot was hilarious and Porter & Stout are a great pirate band.  Just when I thought most folks had gone home because of the rain, they all seemed to come out of nowhere to join in at Pub Sing.

It was nice too that once Pub sing is over, and everyone is leaving the gate, all of the cast are already lined up along the way to say goodbye in their own special way, with the queen at the exit for her royal farewell.

The weather was not particularly kind, as it continued to rain intermittently throughout the day, creating an absolute disaster in the field where many inches of slick mud developed under everyone's vehicle.  Needless to say, getting out was another adventure entirely.  Most of us have experienced that at one faire or another and probably more often than we'd really like.  At the moment, it might not be much fun, but I like to look at it in such a way that we're creating a memory.  You know..."remember that time we got stuck in the mud at faire...?"  Fortunately, as faire folk are known to do, everyone helped push each other out safely.   

In short, TNRF was awesome!  As usual, pics are posted under TNRF 09 on the PHOTOS tab above.