I’d thought that Margie was going to be at a baby shower today, but it turned out instead we were off to the local Renaissance Festival. Lori arranged the get-together (a thankless task), and we went with her, Dave G., Doyce & Justin, and Rey & Juli & Tristan.
Every time I go to such an event (whether it’s here in Colorado or in the past at the Southern California RennFaire), the same thoughts run through my mind over the course of the day:
- Does this outfit still fit? Oh. Oh, well, it will probably be hot, anyway.
- Jeez, it’s hot.
- Look at all the pretty jewelry, clothing, pottery, and other crafty things.
- Look at all the ugly jewelry, clothing, pottery, and other crafty things.
- Look at all the overpriced jewelry, clothing, pottery, and other crafty things.
- Jeez, it’s hot. That guy in the chain mail must be broiling. Ditto for that guy in the leather. Or that guy in the monk’s habit. And isn’t she going to get those awfully sunburned?
- Mmmm. Turkey legs. Toad-in-a-hole. Turkey sausages. Lots of yummies.
- Jeez, it’s hot. Maybe I’ll get a beer, too.
- Hey, I could buy that to replace that piece of outfit that, er, shrank.
- Hey, I could buy that for … oh, never mind.
- Jeez, it’s hot. Just as well I’m not in my outfit.
- Oh, we just missed the show I wanted to see. Oh, well, it’s too hot sitting out there in the sun.
- So should I buy that? Or that? Or how about that? Aw, it’s too hot, I’m not walking back to the shop where that was.
- Hot. Need another beer.
- Boy, I wish I had a really cool outfit like that. Even if it didn’t occur within five hundred years of the Renaissance. Or didn’t really look like that. Boy, he must be really hot.
- Okay, time to go. Hope the A/C works in the car — it’s sure hot.
It’s generally fun, usually expensive, and always, always, broiling, scorching hot.
Of course, this time, we had to add the occasional “Where’s Katherine?!” to the mix.
Out side the front gate, they had an (oh-so-period) sun fly, about twenty, thirty feet long, with misters underneath it, to provide a break from the (Jeez, it’s hot!) heat.
After I’d just walked through it with Katherine, and the rest were beginning to, a huge gust of wind flipped the damn thing over, sending flying through the air, right at me and … Katherine.
It was the first “emergency situation” I’ve ever been in with Kitten where “push her down and interpose your body!” seemed like the thing to do. At least that’s what I did.
Fortunately, the tent didn’t quite reach us. But it was a nice bit of excitement to cap off the day.
Oh yeah, come up to ours sometime… we start in mid August, where all the women in 4 or more layers can broil like roasting hens… and then by the seventh week, at the end of September, we are all bundled under cloaks for half the day, pitying the washing well wenches and their (very wet) act.
Many of our stages are (gasp) provided with natural shade from the trees on site. Those that aren’t have some sort of (non-period but highly effective) sunscreening tarps above the audience (you can still see the performers sweat…)
And yes, I too suffer from all of the following:
garb tempations
cool things to buy
that are way too expensive
gacking at all the way too expensive totally ugly uncool things to buy… which people *do* buy in droves (??? i will never understand)
As the man said, there’s no accounting for taste.
We have our big festival, King Richard’s Faire, from Labor Day to just before Halloween. For the most part, it’s not hot, and if it’s one of THOSE years, I get to wear the full heavy wool cloak I bought about 4 years ago and be warm and toasty.
And everything is under the shade of trees, with the exception of the jousting/tournament ring. But it can still get damn hot.
I’ll have to try to organize a trip this year, expensive as it is. Maybe get Lou to get me a nice rapier or dagger, since he got a sword (when I got my cloak).
Hmmm. Yeah, a dagger would be nice. I have a nice, shortish broadswoard I got many years ago. Maybe I’ll wear it next year …
I’m playing a nun at the Robin Hood Faire this year (3rd weekend in July). I don’t even want to think about how hot I’ll be wearing a wimple so no heat can escape my head…
Mortification of the flesh is good for the soul …
Sorry I missed you! I tried to be on the lookout for Doyce and Justin, but the crowds were amazing this weekend. As for all the costume stuff… I’ve discovered that I can go the first six weekends without repeating garb. It’s either time to go on the road, or stop altogether.