Renaissance Faire 2006-Minter Field
Having been to this very Renaissance Faire two years prior at the suggestion and company of Tim and Holly, we thought it would be fun to revisit this event. We bought our tickets on-line for a price reduction and we were able to get close-up parking and into the faire itself early.
The place was encircled with merchant tents selling their wares, and occasionally a craftsperson setting up for demonstrations and sales.
The pirate horde was the first real mini-event. They were bawdy and raucous and setting up for the opening act, which was to set off their mini-cannon and such. At ten o'clock they began with a bang!
Many pirates could be seen cruising through the faire...in fact, pirates and other leather wearing creatures seemed to be much more popular than one would imagine having been the case in the real Renaissance era. But, then again, "Fantasy" is part of the official title of this event.
The Pope himself (Renaissance version) and Robin Hood made their appearances. One a Crook the other a Savior...the question is, which one is which?
For the sake of authenticity, some groups attempted to recreate the eating styles of the time. Look carefully at this group of Shakespearean women and notice their animal cooking on the spit behind them.
Of course, what would a Renaissance Faire be without elements of fancy and fantasy. Faeries abound; so much so as to be common place and cliché and not really worth much time spent on photography. However, the ogre and stilted man were different than our last encounter, so they were something to notice.
As was the "pet" Dragon, of which Brian got a butt shot.
Finally, we saw some Knights Templar, the distinguished fighters of the Crusades, and first international bankers of Europe and the Middle East. To the left a weathered Templar who has witnessed the cruelty of war and the blessings from God. To the right a nobleman turn Templar with his young "Template".
In the end, however, it was reassuring that we still belonged to the 21st Century rather than the true Renaissance! Bless the Honey Bucket 'cuz it beats the chamber pot any day!