There are renaissance festivals and faires happening all around the country. It’s time to expore some of these events and list their calendars so you can buy your new costumes.
The next renaissance faires that capture my fancy are in Texas, Utah, New Mexico, Oregon, California and Idaho. I might take a trip to Montana this year, so we’ll explore that possibility later.
What events are on the calendar that I am considering?
First, I’ll check one of my favorite sites, At the Faire. This site has extensive listings from faires all over the country and John Paul is involved with the faires on a personal level. He takes photographs and edits a magazine as well. So I trust this source, if you wonder about my point.
Now this is only a preview of coming attractions. I’m exploring the events for my tour but this will only be a “tease”. I’ll write more about each event in following blog posts. Meanwhile, brush on your steed riding skills and polish that suit of armor so you can rescue some damsel in distress all ye knights out there!
Let me see what is happening in Texas. I’m looking at Renaissance Festival which has an interactive map on their website. This is a handy tool that I will use to hone in on the states I will be visiting.
Texas
Four Winds Renaissance Faire – this festivity began March 1, 2009 and will be ongoing through April 20 giving us eight glorious weekends. I’m hoping to make it to this one since I’m heading for Texas and should arrive next week.
Festivities open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Gear up for excitement on this one. There will be jousting, musical entertainment, theater, harems, magicians and jugglers. I might try my skills at a little magic or mingle with the harem dancers. Do you think any one will notice a pirate in the midst of the harem girls?If your dancers want to join in the fun, tell them it’s near Tyler and White House, Texas.
Texas Renaissance Festival – this takes place in October so there is plenty of time to get ready. You’ll love this festival which takes place on a unique piece of land that is transformed into an historical village. It begins in October so we’ll save this event for a full featured article before the event. If I attend this largest of renaissance festivals, I’ll post a full write up here afterwards.
We still have few states to explore looking for events to fill my travel itinerary. So join me next week for more sneak previews of my 2009 adventures while I take Ren Faire Reese on Tour!
So how much do you know about Renaissance Faires? Which character would you dress like?
Perhaps you want to dress as a peasant. Visit this Ren Fair to read more about costuming history for this social class. I can tell you this much, wearing purple royal or pink will definitely be out of your league as a peasant.
Perhaps you will dress as an aristocrat. Now that distinction gives you many options and they are all stylish. Be sure to study proper manners and speech though, or you’ll be dubbed as an imposter.
In the middle ages, aristocrats were wealthy nobles with servants of their own who still belonged to the middle class. There were fewer divisions between the ranks in the middle class in those days. Some were ranked higher because of their money or social station so the upper middle class commonly held more power than the lower. Women were under the control of their male relatives. Quite a change from today!
Imagine a pirate queen under the control of her male relatives! You will never find Ren Faire Reese in such a compromising situation! That is why you will find me dressed as a pirate queen in full regalia at my next faire!
Don’t worry, we’ll talk about my costume in one of my upcoming posts. I have to prepare for a faire some time this month so it won’t take long to have the details right here for you.
Can you offer some suggestions for my 2009 pirate queen wardrobe hope chest?
Ren Faire Reese On Tour 