04/20/98 Version 2.7. Compiled by John Neitz.
Disclaimer: This list is not intended to be authoritative nor exhaustive but merely representative of terms used by some people at a fest populated by many diverse groups. Send contributions and corrections to: neitz@dm.net

academy. Training sessions for new entertainer participants held each summer.

after-hours. When show is closed, patrons are gone, and festies party (especially Saturday nights).

A Gate. Less known than B Gate and C Gate, this is an after-hours vehicle access located near the stocks.

Alice. A classic MRF party shot. A carefully layered drink with half a shot of Tia Maria on the bottom, half a shot of Grand Marnier, and a "sliver" of tequila on top. So named because it takes you to Wonderland. Ritual involves a mass shout of "Prepare for shot!" before slamming.

All the Way Inn. Old name for building on the site of Blue Lion Tavern.

Area Manager. Entertainment staff member who is "eyes" of staff for a part of site during show hours.

assassins. Former group portraying the firm of Rasputin, Ishmael, and Pox, P.A. (Public Assassins).

B Gate. After hours vehicle access located near the Mews stage. Since the lost-and-found is located there anyone announcing a lost item at cast-call meets with a mass yell of "B Gate!" (i.e. go look there.)

backstage. Any area off limits to patrons, usually behind the buildings ringing the site.

backstretch. Area where jousters and other horsey types camp and keep their horses. Although it is now backstage, this area used to be the backstretch of the track on-site.

Bad Manor. Largest building on site, formerly weekend home to many participants before local building inspectors cracked down. Current structure replaced the original Bad Manor in 1984. The "old Bad Manor" was well-beloved and is the setting for many wild stories by those who stayed there.

the bakery. Stage built by the Children’s Theatre Company in the 70s. Official name is "La Casa degli Allegri Panini" ("House of the Laughing Buns"). Cast portrays the Panini family of Italian bakers.

the Bear. This chain-saw sculpture is one of the well-known landmarks on site. "At the bear" can refer to the hexagonal raised berm on which the bear itself is located. Vilification Tennis happens here. Some famous night-time pranks have involved dressing up the bear.

beggar’s banquet. Daily gathering held at the rocks where peasants eat and perform songs.

bit. Anything done to entertain patrons. (Doing a bit is known at California faires as "gigging.")

bloomers contest. Annual event held at the Pavillion. Although bloomers are not truly period for the Renaissance they are common (and practical) at the Ren Fest. Many are elaborately decorated or, because they are not supposed to be seen, made of humorous print fabrics.

Blue Barn. Large metal building at ranch where service road meets Hwy. 41 used by MAF for storage. Former site of annual cast party before MAF started holding haunted houses there.

Blue Unicorn. Weekly (for the run) newsletter. Participant published in 1980s.

BLT. Blue Lion Tavern, a favorite after-hours hangout, beer is sold there Friday and Saturday nights.

Bobo. Nick-name for beloved former artistic director Lee Walker.

broadsheet. Daily schedule of shows and events distributed at gate to patrons. Compare to grid.

burlap. "Anything is period if it’s wrapped in burlap" goes the old saying. The use of burlap as a shoddy shortcut to disguise non-period objects goes back to the early days of ren-faires. Tennis shoes and plywood buildings (even Frisbees for a joke) have been covered with burlap.

C Gate. Well known to most participants since this leads out the "back" of the site to the campground.

cannon. Since the opening and closing of each show day is marked by firing a cannon from the knoll, in the morning "after cannon" and "before cannon" are common terms to signify whether the show has begun or not and in the evening "after cannon" means after-hours. "Before and after cannon" is sometimes used to mean non-show hours. "Cannon" is verbal shorthand for the moment when we shift from the 20th century to the period or vice-versa.

Cartage Stage. Nautically-themed stage located near present site of Legend stage, which replaced it in 1992. Cartage was used by Puke & Snot among others. Nicknamed the Carnage Stage.

cast. Another term for participant although usually it refers specifically to entertainment participants.

cast-call. Morning announcements held each show-day at 8AM at the Bakery Stage. Theoretically mandatory for all entertainers but hungover folk often give it a miss. See ORT, switch.

cast party. Annual award ceremony & dance for all participants on the Saturday night of final weekend.

Castle Kitchens. Common parlance for Castle Kitchens Corporation (also commonly called "CKC"), a division of MAF which runs food booths at fest. Term is used to differentiate festival owned food booths from independently owned & operated food booths.

circuit. Annual round of renaissance faires nationwide. Some participants "work the circuit."

Chaska cherrypop. A Castle Kitchens employee.

closing gate. Daily variety show held outside front gate during last half-hour of show-day. Non-period bits (like parodies of movies, TV shows, and popular songs) are often done here. Traditionally capped by a mass rendition of The Mermaid which ends at cannon.

Copious Times. Participant produced weekly (for the run) humor newspaper published in 70s and 80s.

the Cottage. AKA the Irish Cottage or Ballina. Inhabited by the Muldoon family (formerly O’Brennans).

Cracked Cup. Annual entertainment award for the best rookie performer. Awarded at cast party.

crazy orphan. Since an obnoxious participant had such a character it is now forbidden.

the Croft. Not to be confused with the Cottage, this is AKA the Scottish Croft.

divots. Anything left behind on the ground by performers doing a bit (usually at closing gate) including props, chunks of food (see food grovels), or "dead" persons. A yell of "Divots!" indicates that the performers must remove these obstructions so the next skit may begin.

donut. Participants socializing in a circle facing inward ignoring patrons (AKA "butts to the wind.").

Dragehöde. Viking encampment on site during the 80s. Short leader was known as "Dragehöde Yoda."

Dramberries. Party ritual involving strawberries hollowed out, filled with liqueur and topped with a tower of whipped cream. This is dropped into the mouth of a kneeling person of opposite gender.

dress-press. Annual on-site dress rehearsal/media junket held on the Sunday before opening weekend

Druid’s Grove. Wooded region of the campground.

drum-jam. Daily from 6:30 to 7PM, for some people this dance is the main reason for going to the fest.

F-9. Grid spot located off-site on the center median of Highway 169. Yes, F-9 has been performed at.

faire. More common alternate name for "festival" nationwide so "faire" is the generic term for either.

fest. Short for festival. In Minnesota it can mean MRF (the fest) or these types of events in general (i.e. a regional variant term for faire).

fest crud. Voice ailment from overuse, respiratory infection, dust and straw, or a combination of these.

fest nose. AKA "black snot" or "fest boogers." Caused by windborn dust and dirt.

festival. Can refer to the MRF ("I was at festival") or to MAF owner and management ("festival won’t allow that" or "festival bought out that food booth" or "festival cut our budget again").

festy. Renaissance Festival participant. Sometimes meant derogatorily. Sometimes used to refer only to full-time participants who travel the circuit year-round. See local.

500 Commisary. Castle Kitchens supply depot near C Gate.

FOLA. Ask an old-timer what this acronym stands for and for the story of the incident behind its origin, which is recounted in a song sung to the tune of Lola (which "fola" rhymes with).

food-book. Books of 25 cent coupons redeemable for food available to participants at a discount ($6 value for only $5!). Sometimes called "peasant money."

food grovel. A grovel involving self-abasement by pummeling oneself or partners with food-stuffs. The Law is legendary for these, including the Citizen Kane of grovels: The Twelve Days of Groveling.

Foreplay Fire. Campfire near Mount Copious in the campground.

Fornication Patrol. "Keep poochie in the house!" (See site bingo).

Funky Formal. A circuit tradition at Ren-faires nationwide, this is an annual after-hours dance party held at each faire, usually featuring a theme. Held on a Saturday night at MRF (usually 5th weekend), at other faires its often held during the week so locals don’t show up.

Garter. Some cast members have reproduced the insignia of the English (real-world) Order of the Garter. Current knights of the Order elect 1 or 2 new Knights (and Ladies) of the Garter (cast members chosen for excellence and chivalrous demeanor) to join in an annual adaptation of the real-world ceremony. The blue embroidered garter itself is worn by members, including the King and Queen (men wear it buckled around the left leg below knee, women around the upper left arm).

GEM. Entertainment staffers award food-books at cast call for Great Entertainment Moments they observed on the previous show day.

Green Weenie. Construction trailer (former fest costume shop) which is a landmark of summer palace.

grid. A printed schedule of performance places and times distributed at cast call each morning. Commonly used as a verb ("Don’t grid me there!"). Any scheduled event is called "gridded."

grovel (noun). A bit involving groveling before royalty. In it’s simplest form one simply prostrates oneself on the ground, but creative grovels can be Baroque in their elaboration.

hat. Money gained when an act passes the hat (e.g. "hat was great today").

hawk (verb). "Hawkers" try to draw in patrons (usually by yelling) to a shop, food-booth, game, or show.

hobbit-hole. A Tolkien show has not taken place here since the early 80s, but the a cast still calls it that.

Ice-popping. A competitive event whereby a woman pops a large chunk of ice from her cleavage into the goblet of a "catcher" standing facing her. The object is to go for distance and accuracy.

Island. An outward-facing circle of buildings surrounding a back-stage area in the midst of the site. The largest of these at MRF is often called "the island" and the area within is "the inner circle."

Joe Festival. Short for Joe Festival Goer. In its broadest sense the term means a patron, but it is usually applied to a participant disguised as a patron (i.e. not in costume). Joe Festival gets to parody stereotypical patron behavior ("Are you hot in that costume? Where’s Puke and Snot?").

King Henry’s Annual Road Kill BBQ. After-hours party held at summer palace Saturday night on Labor Day weekend. The first (1982) did involve cooking a deer struck by a participant’s vehicle.

kissing apple. This wooden apple was passed with a kiss from person to person throughout the day until it was returned to its creator, Lady Morgan of Avalon, at closing gate.

the Knoll. The most prominent natural landmark of the site. Located behind the bakery and overlooking the parking lot, this is a backstage area although bits can be presented from here to audiences at the front gate. Some who say they can sense such things say the place has a spiritual aura.

Lake Elvis. Appears in front of Arms and Armor shop after heavy rains.

Late Bloomer. Annual award for most improved entertainer. Originally for cast-members who came up with a fabulous new character, the first recipient was Beaumonde, who created the Macaroni Shoe passed on to each new recipient with a decoration added by the previous holder.

The Law. Group from 1980s formed of disgruntled former trackies and sailors.

local. Term used (sometimes derogatorily) by year-round itinerant participants who live on-site all week for the run. Refers to participants who live near the faire and have other jobs during the week.

Lord Mayor’s Picnic. Annual event (usually 5th Sunday?).

Love Shack. Robin Hood and Little John’s changing room.

MAF. Mid America Festivals, Inc. The company which runs MRF.

MRF. Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Differentiates the local show from other faires held across the U.S.

masturbation. Performing bits which entertain other participants (or only oneself) but not patrons. (A variant term is used at another fair where they call it "actorbation").

Mount Copious. Part of the campground (top of the hill past the showers).

mudsliding. One flops forward onto one’s belly from a running start into a mudslick and goes for distance.

1986 season. Legendarily rainy. A good season for mudsliding.

the narrows. Area of site approximately from the bear to Crown stage. Very crowded on busy days.

ninja. Derogatory term ("Ninjas are pussies!").

opening gate. Show given outside front gate for patrons who arrive before 9AM cannon.

ORT. Official Renaissance Time. Pronounced "ort" and given at cast call to synchronize watches.

orgasm tree. Located on punk-rock hill and decorated with blinking Christmas lights.

P & D. "Pull & Drag." Former name still employed on occasion referring to cabriolets

Pagan Oaks. Region of campground where many long-time musician participants camp.

participant. Someone who works at fest. Most participants are costumed.

parade. Common term for the what is officially called the Grande Marche Parade in the broadsheet. Held at the mid-way point of each day (1:30PM). Theoretically mandatory for all entertainers. Also called (especially on hot days) the Trail of Tears or the Death March.

patron. Person who pays to get into the fest, audience member, customer (called "turkeys" at some faires).

peasant Olympics. Annual events, tied to sporting theme weekend, includes the peasantathon.

peasant parade. Held late each show day with peasants marching en mass around the village and singing.

peg. Three-inch length of dowel sold after-hours at the BLT. Each peg could be redeemed for five beers. The barkeep would notch the peg with a hatchet to mark each beer purchase.

period. Appropriate or authentic for the renaissance era. There are often disagreements about what is period and what is not, as well as what years the fest is set in, but pre-1600 is generally accepted.

perma-square. Womens’ tan line caused by wearing costume bodice.

plaster. Lead coin sold at the old Bad Manor. Could be divided into pie shaped "pieces." Plasters and pieces were redeemable for food & drink (such as Alices) after-hours.

post parade. Show held after the parade in front of the Cottage until it was moved to King’s Arbor in 96.

preview day. Annual (a Sunday in July) show held in a Minneapolis park for publicity and originally to audition new acts. Often still called "Lake of the Isles" because it was held there for several years although it has been at Lake Calhoun in recent years.

promenade: Procession of the King, Queen, and royal court through the village ("pro-me-nahd").

Privies. The porta-potty toilet facilities. Term is also applied to the areas where these are grouped.

Privy Counselor. MAF published weekly (for the run) participant newsletter. Formerly Wren Press.

privy run. An old bit wherein a patron asking where the restrooms are located is rushed to the privies with attention gathering shouts ("Privy Run! Make way! This lady has to go real bad!").

punk-rock hill. Region of the campground where stage-combat cast members have camped in the 90s.

ren-fest. Short for renaissance festival. Also ren-faire (short for renaissance faire).

renny. Slang term for participant (see also festy).

the rocks. Near the pavillion, a shady place to sit.

rookie. A first year participant or academy student (officially "there are no rookies once the show begins").

the run. Refers to the annual span of seven weekends when the fest is held.

Sheriff’s Men. Group from the late 70s and early 80s. Some of their antics forced management to declare that "the water-wheel is neither a prop nor a toy."

Silver Palino. Prize for the annual bocce tournament.

site. Where the fest takes place. Can refer to the whole property or more specifically to patron accessible (on stage) areas within the front gate (e.g. "Don’t smoke cigarettes on-site during show hours.")

site bingo. After-hours (hopefully) contest to see who can have sex in the most interesting places on site.

Six-pack. All-female group from the 1980s. 3 blonds and 3 brunettes.

skinker. An after-hours bartender at the old Bad Manor. Said to be a period term for a bartender.

spooge. Applied to any unknown disgusting substance. Can be a verb ("I’ve been spooged!")

street. Short for street theatre (i.e. improvisational audience interaction). "Street" commonly refers to people who are not in a group ("independent street characters") either individually ("he’s street") or collectively ("our street works hard"). Often used to gauge other faires (e.g. "their street is excellent!" or "they’ve got no street!" which can mean it appears sparse or non-existent).

stripey. The cast of Cartage Stage and later, the Legend Stage portrayed sailors who wore hats (and/or other articles of clothing) of red & white striped cloth known as "stripey".

Summer Palace. Area behind costume shop where king’s and queen’s trailers are (coined because "We’re off to the Summer Palace" sounds more period than "lets go backstage for a break").

Swank Night. Annual after-hours theme party.

switch. At the end of cast-call the entertainment director shouts "switch!" and cast members move from the audience benches to the stage. The director (or a designated conductor) stands on an audience bench to lead them in singing a mass rendition of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

talent show. Annual after-hours show by and for participants, usually 6th weekend Saturday night..

Tights Contest. Annual event, really a buns/legs contest.

Thieve’s Guild. Group from the (70s and?) 1980s.

Tournament of Love. Annual event for "love and romance" theme weekend includes the woo-off.

track. The MRF jousting field is the remaining (homestretch) portion of what used to be a full oval racetrack in the 70s. Although most of the track has been demolished to make room for site expansion, the field is still long and narrow compared with tourney fields at other faires and is still called "the track" by participants. Participants working here are sometimes called trackies.

Unicorn Award. Plaque for excellence awarded to several long-time participants annually at the cast party. Past awardees (about 100 as of 1997) may greet each other with a horned forehead gesture.

Victo. Short for A Victorian Christmas, a former annual MAF event at various venues in the Twin Cities.

Vilification Tennis. An elaborate insult contest held daily at the bear.

village. Our more period sounding word to refer to the site. The MRF village does not have a name.

Virtues. Group from 80s portraying convent novices. Each was named after one of the seven virtues.

weekender. Alternate term for local.

welly. Well area formerly inhabited by "welly wenches" who portrayed lewd laundresses.

Wench Press. Annual contest wherein participants heft in turn an line of increasingly heavy women.

Wine Bevellers. Nick-name for wine shop near Upson Downs, was previously a glass bevellers’ shop.

Wine Nazi. Guy sent from wine company sponsor to do wine tasting demos on Wine Weekend.

Wine Weekend. Annual theme weekend infamous for drunken patrons.

winky-shot. Stage-combat term for the crowd-pleasing boot (or fist, or sword thrust or...) to the groin.

woo-off. Contest wherein audience votes for best "wooer." Competing participants woo a patron.

yellow-pages. Cast members who work as messengers between participants, often employed to deliver roses & love poems. The delivery is often presented as a bit, even if the flirtation is genuine

For another Ren Faire glossary (mostly terms from California Faires) click here. ftp://ftp.cirr.com/pub/SCRIBE/Faqs/Glossary.Txt