Human Feature Extended Edition - Why I Returned To Volunteer At The Ren Faire In Singapore

1. Meet Ashley

Hihi! I’m YunKai, otherwise known as Ashley; and my OC name is Xaelvyia (yes I created an IG account for my OC specifically for posts related to the renaissance faires of SG, so there better be many more!)

 

2. How did you find out about the Ren faire?

I first found out via Instagram. I’m not sure if it was from an ad or if it was a suggested account (IG sure knows me well haha), but I found out very early, back when the bio was still a work in progress and there was only 1 post!

I saw the handle (@renfaire_sg) and instantly clicked on it not expecting much as although I have always been interested in renfaires and even debated flying to Europe/US one day to attend one, I did not want to get my hopes up - I had been excited to hear about upcoming renaissance faires only to find out it was miles away from SG so many times before; so I was fully expecting this to be an event held in other countries as well. Though Singapore had cosplay events, we never had a fully Renaissance-themed one before (at least to my knowledge), so this was a very pleasant surprise and I was excited for days, telling all my friends who might be interested to keep an eye out for the event!

3. How did you find out about the volunteer programme? What made you want to sign up?

Likewise, I also found out through Instagram posts calling for volunteer signups for various positions. At that time I had already gotten my early-bird VIP ticket for Day 1 (I was camping on the website and refreshed the second it was time for tickets to drop lol), the only reason I did not get Day 2 was because I planned to attend with friends for the second day, but while waiting for them to agree on the time slots, the tickets we wanted for Day 2 were already sold out haha.

As an avid volunteer and someone who loves trying new things, I did not hesitate at all when I saw the post. The only deliberation I had was which role to take up haha! I thought that working or volunteering might be a very interesting and extraordinary way to not only help out but also experience the faire!

4. Your experience at the faire, as an attendee (vip ticket)

There were separate registration counters for normal and VIP passes. On Day 1, there was a looong snaking queue for normal ticket holders or people who wanted to get tickets on the spot - it went down the flight of stairs in front of Fort Canning Visitor’s Centre, and all the way back till it almost reached the road!

I saw a friend with his family all dressed up as villagers in matching peasant outfits in the middle of the long line who didn’t recognise me at first, then lamented that they had been stuck there for more than an hour. I said a quick hello, commented about their cute ‘fits and took a photo together… then breezed past them and all the way up the stairs to the VIP counter which had a non-existent queue. xD

Inside was packed in the best way possible, and I loved it. Everyone got the memo to DRESS UP and they all looked absolutely amazing! The community really showed up and their passion for this faire was overflowing - I saw everything from plague rats dressed in full-body fursuits to princesses in ballgowns, wondering how they are surviving in the heat! I did not even have time to check out the stage performances or partake in many of the activities there… I was too swept up in marveling at all the creative costumes, meeting people, trinket trading, and taking photos!

 

5. Your experience at the faire, as volunteer (next day)

As a volunteer, I had a different yet similarly awesome time. From the start, I was already impressed by the organisers’ clear method of communicating the scope and responsibilities for the various roles in the sign-up form; as well as things to take expect while being a volunteer at the faire and especially how they had prepared a SOP document for us to read through upon being accepted!

For a first-time organiser of an event of this scale, especially with the team being youths and seeming to be around the same age as me, I was genuinely impressed in how they brought this whole thing together. As a volunteer I constantly felt reassured that we would be well taken care of, and everyone was beyond pleasant even while navigating the chaos of it all. Of course there’s always things that can be improved, but I felt that the team definitely did such a commendable job! Any questions raised were quickly answered, and photographing people who showcased their creativity in various ways from carefully curated outfits to handmade props and costumes was an absolute joy!

6. Most memorable experiences?

It was all so memorable, especially when meeting people (and dogs lol) from all walks of life sharing this niche interest! Talking to people about the inspiration behind their costumes, the hours they put in DIY-ing props (a lot pulled all-nighters the very night before haha, but it all worked out!), spotting people who might be dressed as the same species/character inspiration as me (I went as a forest fae and met so many of my kin!) mutual compliments and admiration for each others’ costumes no matter how elaborate (or not!) they were - the good vibes were absolutely unparalleled.

I went alone, and left with new friends I made at the faire! It all started with trinket trading - there was a list of trinket traders on Telegram, and I was going down the list having great conversations with each one I found, till I reached the last one. They were enjoying the performances while sitting on a big picnic mat on the grass. We traded, took some pictures, and got to chatting; when they found out that I came alone, they invited me to join them, and the rest was history. Got to play with their adorable doggo, went on a photoshoot, and met more people who came to find them for trinkets!

 

 

7. Experience as a volunteer at the revel?

This time, I was helping out at the registration counter! The Court Revel was smaller, and things definitely felt more intimate - which was a good thing! While the main faire was huge and chaotic in the best way, there were so many people I wish I could’ve met - chatted with some online and we were supposed to meet up, but couldn't find a couple of them before I had to leave. As a volunteer for the entirety of the Revel, I got to sit (thank goodness); got merch (so many cool mini posters!); got to watch the showcase (the sword fighting was right beside me hehe); got to check out the booths and partake in shenanigans revellers were up to while taking a short break (conga line and some sacrificial circle typa formation??); and most importantly, got to meet most revellers at least once - because I was the one checking them in! Everyone looked amazing despite the heat, and I even had the chance to babysit a doggie while on duty hehe. Despite having a duty to do, it was so much fun and didn’t feel like I was “working” at all. There were people blowing bubbles, revellers playing and trinket trading, the prettiest pink sunset as the day progressed, and as the event drew to a close I even got to try LARP sword-fighting with my registration counter buddy!

8. Aspirations for the faire next year, if any

This year’s faires have been amazing, though I do wish that there could be a stronger encouragement to adhere to the theme so it would feel like we are part of the actual lore of the real-life adjacent world of Xenaria! I hope that next year’s faire will be just as, if not more, fun; with plenty of chances to meet other fairegoers; showcase our costumes, props and makeup; and participate in various activities that will enable us to cause chaos (in a relatively safe and legal way of course) together! Can't wait to make more friends and memories. Here’s to many more future renaissance faires in Singapore! <3