 "Photo: Chris Sloan / The Poly Post")
For those eager to escape today’s dreary economy, the 16th century is looking pretty bright.
The 47th annual Renaissance Pleasure Faire is open weekends at the Sante Fe Recreation Area through May 17, and tickets are $25.
This year’s Faire has seen slightly less traffic, but it's not as bad as some had predicted. The draw to escape reality has apparently overcome the public’s money woes. For stressed students wanting to blow of some steam, the faire might be the answer.
“[Knife throwing] is definitely harder than it looks,” said Aaron Hunsucker, a knife-throwing privateer. “You’ve got to think like the target just took your wallet.”
Over 2,000 costumed performers bring shire “Port Deptford,” of early Elizabethan England to life with parades, jousts, battles, pageants and riddling townsfolk.
Around 150 artisans display handmade gifts and a few offer period demonstrations such as glass blowing, candle carving, coin pounding and brass rubbing.
Over 100 gourmet meals, desserts and fine “Drynks” draw guests in. The faire has entertainment for families, students and all sorts of curious folk with a bit of cash.
“This season has been pretty good so far," said Grace Morgan, owner of Dancing Flame Candles. “You can find things here you won't see anywhere else in the world and see the artists that made them.”
Surprising facts about life in the Queen’s England can be discovered around every corner.
“New visitors will definitely be in for some culture shock,” said Morgan. “It's an interactive event and a lot of people aren’t ready for that...or the corsets.”
She offered some costume advice for newcomers as well.
“Wearing purple is only for the Queen and black was really hard to get [in Elizabethan England]. Green skirts are only for ladies that don’t mind stains from ‘rolling around in the grass,’ so to speak ... and bells are for advertisement only.”
“Guests are surprised that most of the people here provide and make their own costumes,” said an experienced actor who goes only by “The Earl of Lestor.”
The Earl shared some other insider secrets.
“Our Queen is only 25 years old, at the beginning of her reign ... a classically trained actor from England. We also have [acting here] Sir Francis Drake and Shakespeare. The rest of the cast also had to audition ... and we also go through four-weeks of training workshops.”
“The literacy rate in Elizabethan England was higher than in California today,” said Kim Hodges, owner of the Booth of Brass Rubbing. “The Middle class could finally afford to travel.”
London was the third largest city in Europe in 1603 and had a literacy rate of 60 percent, according to Western Washington University, but that was an incredible improvement for the time.
1 comments