Today was the last day of the Original Renaissance Faire and it was a wonder! The Ren Faire was open from April 5 to May 18, today, located at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area. Check for details, it is ever year, at: https://renfair.com/socal/. It was previously sold out online, which I’m told by my friend who attends every day, was due to Tik Tokers. The last day was not sold out, but it felt like the faire has outgrown its usual area by several times. I hope there is an expansion at least by a third than the standard set up just to handle the crowds. I purchased my ticket, $44, at the door and then found my way to the end of the queue. It was pressed against the end of the fence and went chaotic.
Once the crowds entered, it just dispersed all over the city of Deptford, the winding, dusty paths. I love the opening announcement, hollered, it needs to be miked like the other shows. The drums beat as you slowly make your way into the square. There is music, all sorts of costumed and uncostumed people milling about, stores of different wares; jewelry, dragons, and clothing of all kinds. Cosplay here is high, 1 out of 2, much more than any convention or event. Some have masks, half-costumes, and others were fantastic including Teletubbies, a Gandalf or two, and I saw a Princess Bride cosplay. Elf ears were like 1 out of 4, which is the same ratio as cosplayers at other events.
The path winds around until you reach the Maypole and Dragon Swing this reaches the edge of the waters for the Santa Fe Reservoir. Along the way, there are stands for drinks and chocolate covered strawberries and Royal Nuts. I have to try the Welsh Cakes at the Welsh Baker. Most of the path is dirt with some rocks, this can make walking after some time challenging some wear comfortable shoes! There are some concrete walkways and park restroom facilities, but other privies, outhouses, are available. The food court is a wide swath of tables and many food vendors, I saw beignets, Fairy Tails offers treats like Lemon Sorbet Ripienos, and the giant turkey legs at Smoking Serpent!
Still, I was eager for the entertainment, and this ultimately leads to the joust. The first joust was the Deptford Tournament Joust. I was on the far side cheering for Sir Edgerton of Aquitaine and his new horse Bob. There were many rousing chants of “Bob! Bob! Bob!” The colors for Sir Edgerton were blue and white while Maxmillian rode with black and gold for his mount Drax. Sir Edgerton won the lance and offered the tournament flag to a young lord! The joust went to the other side though Sir Edgerton disputed the results since Bob had left droppings on the jousting field! Of course, it would all be settled at the Queen’s Joust later in the day. Next to the joust was Wings of Whimsy with aerial acrobat, AJ Gamez, suspended from silk. Impressive. I very full day that was a joy just walking around the faire and seeing some fantastic performers!
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