All the World’s a Stage

On Saturday, our family had a chance to go to the Bristol Renaissance Faire. We haven’t been there together for 10 years so it was worth it to take the trip.

Gabby, Donnie and their friend, Elias all woke up early and got in their costumes. We all made our costumes over the last couple weeks.

Here is the group all ready to go in an eclectic variation of costumes.

Here Donnie and Elias are asleep with the magical staff in between them. I found this to be an interesting photograph with the 3 heads in a row.

We arrived and it was already a hot day with clear skies. We parked far away and walked up to the front gates of this little medieval village.

I worked hard on my costume the last couple of months, though it could be better. It was the first one I made myself and I will get better with continuous attempts. My walking staff was the most popular aspect, easily getting over hundred positive comments from fellow faire-goers. — I worked hard on my costume the last couple of months, though it could be better. It was the first one I made myself and I will get better with continuous attempts.
My walking staff was the most popular aspect, easily getting over hundred positive comments from fellow faire-goers.

One event we didn’t want to miss was the jousting. Actually, it was one thing “I” didn’t want to miss, and I convinced the kids of this. One pays $25 to get into a faire in order to spend more money. I figure the one item we get back, besides other intrinsic benefits and fun, is the entertainment; and what more exciting entertainment than a joust!

The knight riding for our side of the arena was Sir Edgeron. We cheer for our gallant defender.

Gabby and Donnie were so proud of of brave Sir Edgeron, that they demanded a photograph with him and collected his broken shield as a souvenir.

Elias and Donnie wanted to go on a Da Vinci flying machine ride.
One thing I love about this place is the effort they take to make even silly things seem authentic. Here ride faire employees work hard cranking a wheel to make the whole thing turn.

The kids think they can solve Jacob’s Ladder. Here is Gabby’s attempt.

One thing I noticed were an increased amount of fantasticals. These creatures of the wood were lurking in nooks, and bushes only to be seen after a delayed moment, as they seemed to blend into their surroundings quite beautifully. — One thing I noticed were an increased amount of fantastikals. These creatures of the wood were lurking in nooks, and bushes only to be seen after a delayed moment, as they seemed to blend into their surroundings quite beautifully.

It was a fun day despite it being the hottest thus far. The kids wanted to leave sooner than I did. At this phase in my life, I like to simply walk around and take in the sights, smells and sounds. This is my kind of place. I admit it, I like it.

I find it less authentic and vernacular than local festivals, but I think the excellent taste (and by excellent, I mean similar to mine), is what penetrates into my senses. The area is landscaped naturally and wonderfully, but not overly so. The architecture is kept to look as if in-period, and there is a limited amount of apparent technology. In an age of beige cubicles and gray buildings and with most everyone’s faces buried in screens, I find this a welcome distraction. I can have a couple beers and lay back with the smell of roasting turkey leg or incense wafting through the air and the sounds of a fiddle jig in the background.

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All the World’s a Stage

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