I nerded out this weekend the the Bristol Renaissance Faire. (You know it's nerdy when there are superfluous Es.) I've been there several times, and I love everything about it. The actors with great or terrible accents, the shows, the shops, the food, the dusty paths and haphazardly-placed stonework and seating--it's all fantastic in my book.
I accompanied a friend from work and her family, which included a toddler, a five-year-old boy, and a teenage girl. The little ones were, naturally, immediately enchanted. Hey, there were face paint, costumes, and rides, and that's really all it takes to make for a fantastic experience at that age. And if you've been there, you know that all the people who work there are amazing with kids--fun and playful without being the least bit patronizing. I only tried bartering them away for a chance to throw the axes once.
As it turns out, you can't barter with other people's children. Who knew?
Our small group also included my friend's teen cousin, G. G had never been to a ren fair before, and I wasn't certain it was going to be her cuppa. When I mentioned a lot of people go in costume even though they don't work there, well, you should have seen her face. I'm pretty sure "ren fair" and crazytown became synonymous to her at that moment. When it came out that there was no pavement anywhere, G became very anxious about the state of her new shoes, and I became concerned she was not going to enjoy the experience.
Cut to five hours later. G has had her entire face painted, a new henna tattoo, has eaten something called "meat on a stick," and is adding her own comments about the costumes and people around us. She is excited. She is having fun. She is totally geeking out with the rest of us.
And it is awesome.
(True: I made a reference from the Narnia movie about the bear's battle cry, "For Narnia!" making him sound like he has a speech impediment. But now I can't find a clip of it. Please someone tell me I'm not crazy...)
I've only read the book so I can't help you with that one. But the ren fair sounds fab! Wish I could have gone. Soon as my knee is up to a day like that I'm going to scope out our area for a ren fair of my own. :)
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing better than a good Ren Faire in the middle of the summer (as long as you don't pass out from heat exhaustion and/or dehydration, which, of course, I've done repeatedly). I've never been to the Bristol Faire, how big is it?
ReplyDeleteWe lucked out--it was absolutely gorgeous yesterday, and not too hot for the first time this summer. I can't say for certain how big it is, since I don't have anything to compare it to, but there's defintely enough to keep you busy all day. Or for a week if you want to see all the shows. :)
DeleteHuge! It's basically a village with most of the stores in permanent buildings. I was thinking about making a dress for my visit in two weeks, but now I'm kind of thinking about wanting a henna tattoo (and I always get those on my belly). What to do??
ReplyDeleteA chain mail bikini.
DeleteObviously. :D
Love the part about G. I've found that teenagers are just small children in disguise. They like all the same fun things and have similar emotions, the key is the disguise part. As long as no one points out she is doing something nerdy and weird and she doesn't run into anyone she knows, then she can enjoy it under cover. =)
ReplyDeleteSo then being an adult is when you know you're a total nerd and you don't care who knows it? I like it. :)
DeleteOf course! Or to be cheesier, it's knowing yourself and having confidence in who you are. As opposed to the teenager who is discovering herself and is terrified that who she is/becomes might not be cool enough. (I wrote that with him/herself throughout, then decided it was too clunky. English is annoying, we need a generic pronoun for times like this.)
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