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elcome to St. Max! We are happy you have decided to guest with us! To make your experience better, we have a few guidelines and some information. Your enjoyment, safety, and education are our first priorities.
Questions
- You will be assigned a guild buddy to whom you may address any questions and concerns; when in doubt, ask him or her. Usually this will be the person who invited you to guest, the local contact, or the guild master. This will help you familiarize yourself with your new surroundings.
Logistics
- Our guest fee is $10 payable to the guild treasurer, which covers your entrance to faire for the whole weekend. All guests of St. Max must be gate listed in advance. Upon arrival, check in with the faire organizers with your I.D. You will be given a wristband that allows you entry into faire and access after hours. We will let you know how to get there, where to park, where to check in, and where to find us.
- Please arrive by 9:00 a.m. to allow time to orient your self and change into garb. There is a place in our encampment to change clothes and store your personal non-period things like backpacks. We review any schedules and information for the day during guild notes at 9:30 in the encampment, faire opens promptly at 10:00.
- All faires have an actors' camp for sleeping in modern tents, however, we also often have a dorm tent for sleeping in our encampment. You will need to provide your own bedding and any other items you need after hours. There are toilet facilities at every faire site and sometimes showers are available, but don't count on hot water!
Food and Drink
- We present a wonderful, mid-day feast called "Mittagessen" of period food. This can include regional German dishes, breads, cheeses, local period produce, green salads, nuts, and fruit. We also provide snacks, and we are able to accommodate many special dietary needs. If you wish to eat with us let the food coordinator know so that you can be informed of the price. Payment is due 2 weeks prior to faire. The kitchen frau is happy to direct you to cups, bowls and utensils you may use for meals. These are labeled S.M. on the back.
- We do not provide breakfast or dinner, but there are vendors at most faires that serve food, and we have cooking facilities in our kitchen. If you wish to prepare something before or after faire, please check with the kitchen frau first, and be sure to clean and put away anything you use. Kitchen procedures and etiquette are posted.
- We also ask that each person bring 1 gallon of drinking water per day. We have a few period cups to borrow. It is best to use the same cup the whole time you are visiting to avoid sharing germs. Water and lemonade are in pitchers on the table all day; please help yourself and stay hydrated! We also recommend that you refrain from drinking excessive alcohol during the day as faire season is hot, and dehydration is always a concern.
Garb
- Any person in our encampment should be dressed in appropriate German garb to maintain the historical display. If German garb is unavailable then English peasant garb is acceptable. You may be provided with loaner garb which will include pants, shirt, jacket, and hose for men or chemise and dress for women. Often shoes and hats are available, but check before faire if you need to bring your own.
- Our loaner garb is clean, made from linen and wool that has been painstakingly dyed, and often hand-sewn. It is, however, well worn! Please treat it gently and respectfully. When you are done with it, please return it with all the accessories in the bag provided. If you notice any needed repairs, please tell us immediately. It will then be checked and washed for the next person.
Props
- We try to represent a historical encampment depicting German military life in 1536. We have many period props in camp: baskets, sewing materials, furs, weapons, utensils, cups, bowls, linens, games, dice, cards, coins for gambling, etc. Many of these are personal items that belong to individual members. Some are handmade, expensive, and exceptionally hard to find. Please be sure to ask before using any items in camp.
- That said you are invited to participate in any of the activities going on in camp, join in the games, borrow a needle and hem linens, practice with the weapons, eat with period dishware, and water troops on the march. If you would like to try something, just ask, and when in doubt, ask your guild buddy!
Participation
- There are many things a visitor can do to join in the fun of period reenactment. The best way to learn is to watch members and join in. For some, this may be simply sitting, facing the audience and playing a game, cracking nuts, or sewing. For others, this may be to engage in a complicated plot with members of St. Max and another guild at faire. Either is fine: we want you to feel comfortable. Check in with your faire buddy if you want to get more involved. The only prohibitions are for your health and safety: There is no clashing of weapons, and men are only allowed to participate in battle if they have been trained and approved.
- Our encampment functions as a stage presenting a historical display to faire patrons. With this in mind, we keep all non-period items out of view; we remember to always face the audience; and when within hearing range, we speak in character, with an accent. This can take some getting used to. Every person is part of the tableau that is experienced by visitors, from the fence line to the interior of open tents. We are all on display. Be aware of interactions with each other to maintain the illusion of 1536.
- During the day, you will have many opportunities to participate. Everyone is welcome on the march; men to carry a pike and women to carry water for the men. Men can join in pike drills and weapons training in camp. Gambling, card or dice games can occupy an idle soldier for hours. Women can help chop vegetables for lunch, sew linens, spin, knit, repair garb, gamble with the men, shop, and loot bodies after battle. Singing, eating and drinking are other enjoyable gigs. Even an afternoon nap can be turned into a performance with the addition of a cup and a drunken pose. The options are endless, and this is why we keep doing faire! Improvisation is fun!
Membership
- To become a member of St. Max, we ask that you participate as a guest at 4 faires or for 6 months, pass a test of relevant material, be approved by current members, and pay dues for the year.
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