Neither drinking beer nor wearing a costume is an option for me – any point in my thinking about this?
I don’t drink beer. (I nearly wept when they said they had no mead though). Wearing a costume is purely optional, though there is a minor discount for coming in costume. I’ve been with plenty of folks who wear regular clothing and don’t drink. There are still free shows, great foods, crafts, people who are great sources of information on history and aspects of life through the middle ages, etc. Would you like to see The Bloody Best Of Shakespeare? Buy a hatchling dragon? Or just spend the day speaking in a European accent?
And leper costumes are easy. Find a big bolt of breathing material, crudely tie it on and around you with twine. There are many cheap ways to make easily removable sores. Walk around shouting “Unclean!”. It’s just that easy!
You need a bell, too. And maybe a map marked “Lazaretto”.
Robin
Oi 'ad to sell me bell, Oi did. Needed the money for food. It’s naht loik ye can walk ta the mayor’s orfice an say “Oi’m a leper.” and they gives you a free bell. Ave you troied walkin down the straight shoutin “Bell for a poor leper!”? They looks at you loike you’se lost yer mind and not just your fingers. Ave you got a bell for a poor leper? Money? Food? Peraps an old cat or dog ye’ve bin meaning to get rid of?
Way to persuade me to be seen with you in public, Doc. 
Well, I could just sew myself a monk’s robe, bring a walking stick and go as a kindly Russian monk who likes telling stories to children. Folks who are Jewish or that I hear complaining at the lack of Judaism in the fair will be taken aside and told that I’m actually a Jew who went into hiding after my village was destroyed in a pogrom.
I may memorize the words to We Are Leaving. OTTOMH I only know “We are leaving Mother Russia. We have waited far too long. We are leaving Mother Russia. When they come for us, we’ll be gone.”
Or
I could try at a period jester or harlequin costume that isn’t too hot.
I’m just happy for the chance to wear the corset I bought at the Ren Faire last year. I have no idea what I’ll be wearing with it, but dammit, I spent far too much money on that corset to not wear it.
Rest assured I will be wearing something with it, I just haven’t figured out what yet.
Antares the proper wenches uniform is a corset, a lightweight ankle-length skirt, and a peasant blouse with a plunging neckline. From their, you can accessorize to tavern wench, pirate wench, Romany wench etc.
For more information on all things wenchly, the international wenches guild.
Skirts are easy, I can acquire one of those no problem. blouse is another matter, but I’m sure I’ll come up with something.
Damn, I love my corset.
Don’t forget socket wench or watchet wench, you wascawwy wabbit! Hehehehe.
Hum, that’s actually only two hours away from where I’ll be. Alas, I still won’t have a car and therefore any means of transport. Maybe next year!
Where will you be? Folks with cars often give rides to folks without.
State College. I have no idea if there are any local Dopers.
That reminds me, I’ll also need a ride.
LaurAnge – I’m not sure about Dopers in State College – when you said “two hours,” I thought you might mean Philly – but wouldn’t be surprised if there were a bunch. Keep an eye on the thread.
Doc – haven’t begun to decide whether I’m going to come or not, but as you know, Scuba_Ben is also nice about giving rides, and I bet there will be other Philly folks as well. Don’t worry your pretty little head about it. 
I would like to be there. Health permitting, I will be. 
I plan to be there, and I can offer rides to Philadelphia area dopers.
Myself and Helenette will try to make it.
I am bumping this because my fam is kind of interested.
Are the previous participants in this thread still interested? Anyone else? Gingy said she’d put the five from my house up for a night because she’s totally freaking insane…