The 51st Annual Renaissance Pleasure Faire

Last weekend my kids and I attended the 51st annual Renaissance Pleasure Faire to see Mike the Knight take the stage and give the kids a knighly good time. Tickets were provided for free to do so.

I was excited to take the kids to the Faire, even though I really wasn’t sure what to expect. I hadn’t been to the Renaissance Pleasure Faire since I was in high school and my memory of it was spotty. What I did remember was big costumes, dirt and my friends warning me about some sort of kissing bridge. I wasn’t sure if all these years later the Faire would be quite a good fit for kids, but I figured the fine folks that booked Mike the Knight would have a good head on their shoulders and know better. So we packed our bags and headed to Irwindale for an adventure.
We had an awesome time. Seriously. What I loved the most was people watching. I mean, I loved, loved, loooved watching the people. They were fascinating.  The diversity of the actors of the Faire was what I liked the most. And I swear I saw every social stratta group from high school there. From the outcasts to the goths, princesses, drama fans to the jocks and so much more. I couldn’t help but think that for the actors at the Faire this has got to be the coolest gig ever for them.
I was happy to see that not only is the Faire a good fit for kids, but that kids fit right into the Faire. Besides the cute Mike the Knight show there were tons of activities specifically for children. And there were children everywhere. From plays and shows to arts and crafts, swings, sandboxes, toys and even sword throwing.

I took a few pictures of my favorite things to see.

There was plenty of beer drinking at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, this girl had a tattoo on her shoulder that read: “This too shall pass”

The nymph said hello to Missy in a very shy nymphy way.

There was a fire nearby and the fire helicopters used this reserve for water.

My oldest created a leather bracelet here, this newborn baby in a basket was perfectly still and beautiful.

In the common eating area. I loved that even during their “breaks” they didn’t break out of character.

These handmade masks for sale are beautiful.

The actors at the Faire were colorful, full of life and very animated. This adorable woman was the opener for Mike the Knight.

Every actor at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire had a purpose. Even if that purpose was just to be character scenery that allowed people to take pictures of them. And notice the look on her face? That is regal.

Nighty, night. Sleep tight.

These photographs are mine ©. Steal them and I will cut you.