Strolling Through the (Theme) Park One Day: So Cal Renaissance Faire - 2019!

Before the last season of Game of Thrones is here, it is time to go back to a calmer time at the Renaissance Faire, now running to May 19th.  It is located at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale.  The faire is next to a park surrounded by rocky hills that enclose everything from the outside.  This weekend was the Time Traveler Marketplace Weekend!  You are met at the entrance by costumed revelers shouting hearty greetings.  Once inside the faire, there are rows of booths with many crafters, and merchandise to buy.  The people of the faire are lively and may give you a comment in passing even at the opening.  There are so many costumes, I saw some in Star Trek uniforms, and of course a Daenerys and a Melisandre.  It is so fun to see faire goers dressed up like people working at the faire.  This is something not permitted at Galaxy’s Edge.  Note: the park ground is dirt paths and can suddenly turn to mud.  

The Jousters at the Ren Faire, photo by the author. 

There are various groups like Clan MacColin that display armor or activites like threading.  The members of the clan headed out in a parade to travel to their performance stage.  Past Ren Faires, I’ve seen the procession by Queen Elizabeth to the Royal Joust.  There is music and dancing throughout the faire.  A crowd pleaser is MooNiE the Magnif’Cent, he does the whistle of Harpo Marx for communication, juggles, and tightrope walks.  The crowd laughed and clapped throughout the show, one, two, eleven!  He mentioned returning to the faire from Chicago.  Check out MooNiE at http://themoonieshow.com.   I also saw the acrobatic skills of Draiku Aerial Silks, spinning, and dangling in the air from the silks!  I caught part of the Celtic music of the Jackdaws.  You can check out their music and download the digital album, On The Leash, at: https://thejackdawsirishband.bandcamp.com/releases. 

Moonie the Magnificent, Ren Faire, photo by the author. 

There is activites like archery, axe throwing,  and fencing, most of my fencing training comes from St. Judes School of Fencing, I used my training when I was learning how to use a lightsaber at the Nick Gillard Jedi/Sith Masterclass.  The food is a little tame from what I remember, I didn’t see Toad in a Hole, but the turkey legs are still massive!  Still, the highlight of the faire is always the joust.  A lady in chainmail announces the joust.  There are two sides of the jousting arena for audiences, for my side, was the knight with a blue feather on his helmet.  His name is Sir Edgeron of Aquatine.  The jousters made two passes, glancing blows, bu Sir Edgeron struck well the top of a shield.  This is  right out of The Hand’s tourney.  The knights are well trained.  You can see their Facebook page at The Jousters - Home.  The Renaissance Pleasure Faire is the chance to go back to the time of knights, maidens, and the entertainment of the day.  Check out their page at: http://renfair.com. You can truly learn and step into a medieval world! 

Announcing the joust!, Ren Faire, photo by the author. 

#renfaire, #MoonieTheMagnificent, #thejackdaws, #thejousters