Valhalla Renaissance Faire... Huzzah!

Our weekend is being spent at the 20th Annual Valhalla Renaissance Faire and we chose the perfect days because this is when the Pirate and Barbarian Hordes invade the festivities.  Once we entered the gates, we stepped back 400 years to a time of Romance. Shakespeare is in the prime of his career. Sir Francis Drake has circumnavigated the Globe.  The New World exists as a boundless frontier. The Dark Ages are done. Fiat Lux (Let there be light).

I found this description of this type of event to help explain what it is all about:
If you've never been to a Faire, then its hard to convey a sense of it. Many people when they go for the first time are overcome by the sheer hubub of it all. Hawkers in the streets, ribbons and flags waving in the wind, the sound of bells lutes and ocarinas in the air, the lilt of foreign accents, the smell of cooking foods and flowers, the warmth of sun on your face and the wind in your hair. Entertainers may want to talk to you as the character they're playing and vendors may insist the item you're looking at was carried on the backs of explorers from the wilds of the far off Indies.

Dressing up is a huge part of it and as you can see by Steve's attire, he's not into role playing.  I, on the other hand, knew I wanted to be in costume.  My dress was purchased from a thrift shop for $25.  I felt very faire-like and received quite a few compliments.  My headdress, while designed by my sister-in-law, was constructed by me and it seemed to make the outfit complete.

Our job was to sell beer, wine and mead (a really popular honey wine).  At 10 AM, there was a line.  A parade strolled through the park and when it got to us, they all paused, raised their tankards and yelled, "Three cheers for the ale masters!"  We knew we were in for a really incredible day.

We worked hard but loved every moment of it and are eager for tomorrow's shift.  We saw entire families of Ren Faire people, some pretty impressive costumes and way too many sunburnt breasts.  I hope the photos give a glimpse of the magic.

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2 comments:

Four Points Bulletin said...

You got a pretty sweet gig selling alcohol! You must look responsible. :)
I LOVE your dress. I cannot believe you found it at a thrift shop. Did it come just like that or did you have to alter it?
And, I am sorry, I have to comment... what about that lady's bazongas?!
Thanks for sharing! Looks like this was right up your alley.
***

Flowski Pix said...

wow, very cool I put in a search for Valhalla Ren Faire and I found a picture of my guild on your page. We are the 4th pic down from the top, it looks like you caught us during our parade in to Faire. We are The Court of St. Aidans, the justice court. We are on facebook at the same name, if you would like to see more of what we do. just very cool seeing a pic that we did not take online, come out to Camp Rich this week and next, the 30-31st and 6-7th this year if you want more pics. Thanks, Scott Levy asst. guild master.

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