When Dearest Partner suggested that we visit the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in Manheim, I rolled my eyes, assuming it would be full of the Dungeons & Dragons crowd and people who argue about Elvish grammar. Humor me, he said; so I went.
That was in 2017, and we had so much fun that we've returned every October since. This year we even got dressed up, D.P. in a peasant costume and me in a beaded dress I bought for $6.50 at the Avondale Goodwill.
The "Ren Faire" is just a hoot and a utopia for people watching. If you're looking for a place where people of all ages, colors, sizes, sexual preferences, political viewpoints, and ethnicities are welcome and everybody gets along, visit the Ren Faire next summer. It was endearing to see a burly, tattooed guy dressed as a Viking marauder, carrying his little son on his shoulders. We saw a guy in chain mail painted to resemble a Flyers jersey, a Wizard of Oz troupe, the Three Musketeers, a Civil War soldier, several Plague doctors, lots of monks, knights, fairy maidens and wenches, and a pope who was a dead ringer for the current incumbent. Even the undead showed up: a couple dressed as Jack Skellington and his girlfriend Sally participated in the afternoon costume contest.
We especially liked the falconry show, the archery exhibition (featuring a semi-automatic crossbow invented in China 2,500 years ago), and the jugglers (the amazing Paolo Garbanzo juggled four lighted torches while standing on a ball!).
We also had an interesting conversation with a security/first aid guy, who said problems arise only when (1) the heat is bad (many of the elaborate costumes are heavy) and (2) people imbibe too much beer.
Perhaps the most touching moment of the day was when a woman asked us to take a photo of her with her young grand-daughter. She said she'd brought her kids to Ren Faire when they were little, and was delighted to continue the tradition with the next generation.
No comments:
Post a Comment