Ah, the Renaissance Faire. I think this was our fourth or fifth visit. It is a heavenly spot located in a golden field in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by hills and trees and cotton-ball-clouded blue sky.
As we were driving along Kings Valley Road this morning, the sky was overcast and misty. The thermometer read 58 degrees! Then, about a half mile from the faire, the sky turned to blue, the sunshine appeared, and the temperature rose. Magical. It was a perfect day. 70s. Light breeze. Just perfect.
There were a few new things this year. I loved walking through the added forest portion. The cool green darkness, the sun glimmering through the trees.
The boys also paid for ‘rat hunting licenses.’ They were to search the faire for participants with a rat ‘mask’ (you could hear cries of ‘rat!’ through the faire). When the rats were tagged, they would tie a ribbon on the bracelet each boy was given with their license to show how many rats they had caught. They were also given a little bag with a coin and were to find a nobleman (or woman) and pay their taxes. When they paid their taxes, the nobleman gave them each a little vial of bubbles and a ‘dragon tear’ (a little plastic ball that looked just like the bubbles—which made for a fun magic trick!).
At noon the boys met the Pied Piper who played music for them. They danced and then followed the Pied Piper in a procession through the faire.
Holly, Casey, Ilex, and Ivy joined us. The ladies looked lovely!!
A HUGE number of faire-goers dress up in costumes. Some are simple; some are astonishingly elaborate. Some are lovely; some are what I’d call ‘fringe.’ (Ha!) It certainly makes the people-watching my favorite entertainment. There are paid, costumed participants who wander the faire. They are very good about engaging the kids.
The jousting tournament wasn’t as good as it has been in the past. But we still enjoyed it.
All in all, I'd call it a very successful day.
That looks like such a fun outing!!! Grandma
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