Some of you may have questions regarding your experience volunteering at Faire. Below is a series of questions and answers brought to you by the Performing Arts Director, Amy Forsyth; designed to address the most common questions you might have.

What if I want to work Faire, and my significant other doesn't? Can they camp? Do they have to pay to get in?
If you'd like to work Faire, and those people you're bringing with you do -not- want to, they are still welcomed to camp with you, should you decide to camp. However, they will have to purchase tickets to Faire. If you have minor children you're bringing with you, they are welcomed to 'act' as well, provided they remain with you at all times. Any minor children that are brought to Faire, whether as paying customers or Actors must be chaperoned by their parents or legal guardians. If your teen-aged children are bringing their friends, they must have the proper legal paperwork filled out by their parents or legal guardians. This paperwork is available on the Washington Renaissance Fantasy Faire's home site. Parents are responsible for any theft or damage caused by their children while on the Faire site.

How do I get to Faire?
The easiest way to get directions to the Faire is through Yahoo Driving Directions. Using this web site, you can get detailed driving directions to the Faire. Your destination address is: 10215 State Road 302, Gig Harbor.

What do I do when I get there?
If you're camping, you will be directed on where to go at the front gates. If you are not camping and are arriving Saturday morning, you must be parked in the Participants Parking area, and at the Main Stage by 8:30 am. Participants parking in the Customer Parking lots will be ticketed and/or towed. All Actors must pay for camping and gate entrance. Volunteer Actors that have shown that they have performed, and put forth a reasonable effort will be reimbursed for these expenses. Please contact Amy Forsyth if you are interested in further volunteering, in order to be re-imbursed for other expenses.

When you say camping, just how rustic are we talking here?
There are no showers on our site. Next year, when we will hopefully have our own land, things might be different. However, there are no showers. Last year, we had an arrangement with a local high school, where participants could take showers and use their pool. I'll post here on the site if we have a similar agreement this year. We also have Port-A-Potties, in the way of rest rooms. So, it's pretty rustic. You can camp at Faire in your RV/camper or in a tent, lots of people do, and you get to experience one of the most fun things about Faire this way - after hours! It's a great way to get to know other participants, and it's quite convenient, and free for volunteers of the Faire. Please be aware that there are fire laws, camp only where allowed, and all laws regarding controlled substances and minors drinking (as well as all state, county and city laws) are strictly enforced. While there is a stream on the property, it is off limits to any usage by participants. Period. You don't want to mess with it anyhow, cows bathe in it about a mile upstream, and it could be unhealthy for human consumption or usage. If you do not wish to camp at Faire, there are many hotels in the greater Gig Harbor area that you can stay in. The Inn at Gig Harbor, The Best Western Westley Inn at Gig Harbor, The Maritime Inn, and The Westwynd Motel (telephone number: 253-857-4047) are just a few of the options if you aren't up to camping.

What about dogs and other animals?
You are welcome to bring any legal, non-aggressive animal that is restrained according to the leash laws of Pierce County. I've seen llamas, dogs, parrots and ferrets around the Faire site in recent years, and we don't mind a bit if you bring an animal that does not present a problem. However, should you bring an animal that is aggressive, destructive or causes noise disturbances, you may be asked to take it home. Do not leave your animals tied up anywhere in Faire, in your car or RV, or at your campsite. Please also bring all food and water your animal will require.

What about food?
Some food vendors at Faire offer a discount to Volunteers. Food booths operated by the management of Faire offer a very good discount, and we are working to provide a low cost, healthy lunch for our Volunteers, as well. Many people who camp bring their own food, and store it at their campsite. Be aware that it can get -very- hot at Faire, and bring plenty of ice and ice chests should you have perishable food items. Store all food items in air tight containers, and dispose of unused food in trash cans. Food that is left around the camping areas will attract unwelcome visitors, such as raccoons, ants, bees and the like. There are great restaurants in the Purdy/Key Peninsula/Gig Harbor area, as well.

And alcohol? What's the policy on that?
The only acceptable place to consume alcoholic beverages on the Faire site is the alehouse. Period. In the camping areas, all containers of liquor need to be closed and stored inside your tent or camper. Please do not serve anyone alcohol that has not shown you valid proof of their adulthood. Sharing is lovely, but it can also be illegal, should you do it the wrong way. Again, I must mention that all Volunteers are subject to any and all state, federal, county and city laws.

What if I come alone, and I don't know anyone? Who am I going to hang out with?
Never fear. Show up at 9:30 am at the Main Stage, and we'll provide you with friends. If you arrive on Friday night, and are camping, look around for our campsite. I usually even have a sign up, to direct new Faire folk toward the Performing Arts Department's campsite.

What if I get there, and there's no one at the front gate to deal with my registration?
Chances are, there will be someone at the very first gate you come to, where you will drive your car in. That's not the front gate. Well, technically, it is. But the front gate refers to the gate people go through to get into Faire. At the first gate you encounter, there will almost always be someone there, generally security. If you arrive there, and need to register, you can ask them if someone is at the front gate, or ask them to find Amy Forsyth for you. If I'm on site, I'll personally make sure your registration is dealt with. If not, keep checking in at the front gate until someone is there to issue you your card. To get into the first gate, in your car, tell security you are a Volunteer Actor.

What if I belong to SCA or another group? Do I have to pay? Do I have to fill out a form online and register?
Yes. Everyone who is not a paid performer at our Faire, and wishes to get in for free and be a volunteer actor must fill out a registration form.

But, what if my friend is a paid performer, and I want to be a Volunteer Actor? Can't I just come in with them, and do my own thing?
No. You must register as a Volunteer Actor. However, if you have friends that are working as paid performers, please do let me know, as I am totally open to you spending time with them, and being involved with them. We don't over-structure time for our Actors. We like them to do what will make them happy. But, for reasons of organization and sanity, you'd still have to fill our the proper paperwork.

Does that mean I can do whatever I want?
Not really. Each morning when we all meet, we will detail a basic schedule of the day. These schedules are very open ended, and allow our Actors to explore the Faire, shop, enjoy themselves and interact without the pressure of a minute-to-minute schedule. However, there will be certain events that you will be expected to attend at certain times. Luckily, it will all be fun. We're nice that way. St. Wolfgang's Bavarian Court especially encourages our Actors to interact with them. They hold court for their Queens, have hilarious croquet games, perform wonderful puppet shows, and are always up to something that's amusing and fun.

Can we sit around and sing in the alehouse?
Yes. If you're over 21. And we encourage that. Sit, tell stories, sing and spend time there. However, be respectful for the pass-the-hat and paid performers that use the alehouse as a stage, and do not detract from their performances.

What does everyone do after hours at Faire?
After the Faire closes is when a lot of people have the most fun. Storytelling around the fire, gypsy drumming and all kinds of get-togethers make after hours a great time. St. Wolfgang's Bavarian Court is even considering a midnight game of croquet! We'll keep you posted here on the site as to who's planning what at night. Volunteers are always welcome to stop by the Performing Arts Department's campsite and spend time with us. If we're there, and not off playing croquet, we'd love to spend time with you.

What will the weather be like? What should I bring to camp with?
Well, Gig Harbor weather is ever a mystery. It can be boiling hot at two in the afternoon, and cold as sin by two in the morning. I would recommend layering at night, and bringing warm socks and extra blankets. Last year, I swore I'd lost feeling in my feet by morning. It can also rain, so waterproof your tent, if possible. Camping right underneath trees can also be a bad idea if it rains. Bringing food, drinks, extra clothing, sunscreen, bottled water, blankets, sleeping bags and fire-safe heating and lighting units is a good idea. Lanterns and flashlights are a must, if you want to be able to find the Port-A-Potties at night. Baby wipes are also a wonderful camping item. Great for cleaning shoes, people, plates and pretty much anything else, they come in quite handy. Also a wonderful idea is bringing trash bags, as you MUST clean up after your camping. Ant spray and mosquito repellant can both come in handy, if you dislike nature's small crawly/buzzy things.Smokers need to bring a fire-safe receptacle for cigarette butts. Personally, I recommend a bucket filled up a quarter of the way with water, to prevent accidental fires. Please smoke only where it is designated as safe, and do not ever throw cigarette butts on the ground. Bring shoes you can walk in comfortably for after hours, you might be doing a fair bit of walking if you wander around for after hours events. Also bring a warm cloak or coat for nighttime activities. Tents with sun shades, or specially designed awnings are wonderful for late afternoon sun. Folding chairs are great to bring as well.