What's An Event Like?
Imagine hundreds and sometimes thousands of people coming together. From perhaps hundreds or thousands of miles away to set up a medieval fair for a few days or perhaps a week. Then on the last day - within hours - the village seems to evaporate. I know people who do this all summer.
People in the S.C.A. come together to share a sense of community. To join together on a human basis to share in simple activities hundreds of years old. Each event recreates a polite and courteous society in contrast to our usual everyday experiences .
It's one of the few places today where a single woman can walk alone at night in confidence. One scream (if necessary) attracts more than enough help. Usually large guys with swords.
Children are very safe as well and can have a wonderful time. There is usually ample play space and new friends to play with. They look forward to seeing each other and compare parents event schedules.
What Happens At an Event?
There are many different kinds of events and it would be difficult to describe all of them.
To start, S.C.A. Events differ considerably from the standard Renaissance Fair because most people are participants instead of observers.
The main purpose of a Renaissance Fair is to make money for the merchants. The main purpose of the S.C.A. is creatively living medieval history. With events that attempt to recreate a medieval atmosphere for people to live in.
Many full time merchants in the S.C.A. also attend Ren Fair's to make most of their profit for the season and attend S.C.A. events for a chance to try new products or just plain relax. I don't know of any rich merchants in the S.C.A.
Some typical kinds of events are War's, Tournaments, Ithra's(schools or seminars), Feasts, Revel's(parties). Events are opportunities to make new friends and see old friends. To see and talk to real craftspeople.
We have Artist's, Craftspeople, Fighters, Bards, Story Tellers, Cooks, Armorers, blademakers, Blacksmiths, Jewelers, Cloth Spinners and Weavers, Wood Carvers plus many others to learn from.
I'm assuming that your first event will be a large open event like a regularly scheduled war or tournament and it will probably feel a lot like your first day in school.You won't know what to wear, or if you'll fit in.
Courteous guests or visitors are always welcome.
As in life - If you talk to people and participate - you will fit in and you will make friends.
What Do I Wear ?
When you attend your first event you will need to decide if you want to wear a costume (Period Garb) or not. I recommend wearing Garb, it's much easier to get a feel for what is going on if you are.
Most events have a Pavilion ( booth or tent ) called Gold Key where you can rent garb for the event. The cost usually varies between free and $2.00 for the weekend, just enough to cover cleaning and repairs.
Event Etiquette :
A few basic rules to try to remember when attending your first event.
- Courtesy is the most important - Please and a Thank you go a long way.
- Don't be afraid to tell people this is your first event. They will usually take more time and explain things more thoroughly if they know.
- We assume everyone is born minor Royalty:
- Men are addressed as MILORD .
- Women are addressed as MILADY.
- Children are referred to as SMALLS.
- People with Pointy Metal Hats - Your Highness - Metal Hats must have points to qualify. A Curtsey or Slight Bow is appropriate when they walk by.
- Don't pick up Swords or Knives without asking permission first; and never touch the blade with your fingers. Lay it on your sleeve to examine it. Some of them are very sharp and finger oils are acid enough to etch a blade.
- Ask permission before swinging a real blade in the air.
- Ask Permission before entering a another Campsite.
- Try not to walk through a Campsite - if you have too - ask !
- Use the Lost and Found - whenever you find anything !!
- Don't worry about making mistakes - everyone else went to their first
event also.
- Is that a real sword ?
- Yes.
- Do you make your own stuff ?
- Usually.
- Are you in a play ?
- Well, sort of.
- Why are you dressed like that ?
- This is what they wore in the Middle Ages.
- Is this a religion ?
- No.
- Are you part of a cult ?
- No.
- What kind of people join the S.C.A.?
- All kinds.
- Do you people do this every year?
- With about 100,000 participants, something is going on somewhere in the World all the time.
- Do you live in Tents ?
- Only at events in the Summer.
- Do I have to be member to visit ?
- No. A lot of people at S.C.A. events aren't official members. Joining is the only way to receive the newsletters to find out what's happening though.
- What does it cost to join ?
- ******
eturn to the Newbie Page
Event Organization:
Each S.C.A. event is run by volunteers who loose a lot of sleep.
Autocrat THE PERSON ULTIMATELY IN CHARGE AND responsible for everything. All MAJOR problems should be reported to the Autocrats camp. Major events usually have more than one. Because of the work load on the Autocrat people generally solve most of the minor problems themselves.
Merchantocrats are usually at major events - they are in charge of Merchants Row.
Constables are the volunteer peace officers of the S.C.A.. A necessary function in the 20th Century. We generally have much more trouble from outsiders at events than participants.
Marshalls referee and explain the rules of fighting at Wars and Tounaments.
There are a host of other minor officials involved as well.
In the Kingdom of AnTir ( which is where we are) campsites are generally arranged with a quiet end and a noisy end with Merchants Row in the middle. After hours parties are required to stay in the noisy end.
S.C.A. Values:
Chivalry, Courtesy, Honesty, Integrity and Personal Honor are not values that we have lost. They are alive and well in the S.C.A. As a Newby - remember - we are all working on these values, but some aren't working as hard as others.
Common Newby Questions: