Elf Fantasy Fair 2008
Picking up Inkie1010 by bike just before 8.30 am to go to the Elf Fantasy Fair at castle De Haar. It was my second fair, but the first one was in 2002 so was very curious how much had changed. We did some food shopping at the trainstation so we would survive the day ;) When we switched trains in Utrecht we saw more people going to the fair. Most of them where easy to recognise since they were dressed up. That was one of the big differences with six years ago a lot more people where dressed up, there were also a lot more people then six years ago and there was a lot more to see compared to six years ago.
For us the main attraction was the fantasy writer Robin Hobb, who was going to sign books.
Just after we had lunch there was a lecture by Thomas Olde Heuvelt, this was also the presentation of his new book. After the lecture we looked at more stands that where in the park surrounding the castle.
Then we went to the last lecture which was also by Thomas Olde Heuvelt, he told what to do when you want to be a writer and he told about his experiences. Before this lecture we saw the last few minutes of a lecture by Shane Rangi, he was very funny. Then our day was almost over, we went to a demonstration with movieanimals, all of them birds. And then we went back to the entrances where the busses where leaving back to the train station.
Compared to six years ago there was a lot more to see and there where a lot more people there. I tought it was a bit to crowded sometimes, but when there are good writers next year I will go again.
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The area where the fair is helt is very nice, castle De Haar has a very nice park wich is also very nice to visit on a "normal" day.
I went to the Elf Fantasy Fair in 2002 too, it was at the same place, since then the fair has grown a lot. There are a lot more stands compared with 2002 and also a lot more visitors. More stands also means that there are more different things to see and there is something to do/see for all fantasy fans (LARP, anime, etc)
A big difference with 2002 is also the amount of people that come dressed up as a fantasy figure, there are a lot more of them now. Some people just visit the fair to take pictures of those people :)
When there are some good writers next year I will defenitely go again.
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Beside the castle there is the park surrounding the castle. I liked the park a lot and there is a lot to see in the park.
When you want to visit the castle and the park you should check the website that there isn't an event because the entrance fee can be a lot higher at those times and it can be very crowded.
When you visit the park I think the best time to visit is late spring early summer, I was a bit too early this year, in 2002 I was there too around the same time but since it had been warmer that year the park looked nicer (more flowers, more green).
