There are so many things to love about the end of summer. Cooler temperatures, of course. The cricket music at night. The return of the Maryland Renaissance Festival (which runs every year from late August through mid-October).
I usually visit the rennfaire several times through the season, so this year I bought a season pass. I went last weekend because the weather was perfect and I hadn’t been yet. How could I do anything BUT go when faced with a three day weekend, fine weather, and a need to enjoy all the creativity and mayhem that is a renaissance festival.
The Rogues, one of my favorite rennfaire celtic bands, are back. They still rock and their lead singer still vaguely resembles Elvis. I have all their old CDs, but did buy the new one — 3 Lbs. of Rage — which features a picture of Nelson’s pet chihuahua on the cover and some awesome songs on the disk.
Lots of other regulars are back this year, too. Shakespeare’s Skum (doing Macbeth in 20 minutes or less, Shakespeare in Jeopardy and that old favorite Henry the V), Hack & Slash (still as silly and funny as ever), the Pyrates Royale (a comic singing pirate act — what more can you ask for?), the O’Danny Girls (nice girls singing very naughty songs — maybe that’s what more you can ask for), and many others.
People watching is always a big part of my renaissance festival experience. Seriously. Where else can you see people dressed as renaissance lords and ladies, renaissance peasants, pirates, Scots, priests, Knights Templar, nuns, gypsies, rogues, wenches, minstrels, faeries, residents of British Raj India, jesters, clowns, knights, steampunks, punk punks, and some that have so little to do with any specific era that they defy categorization unless you simply call them rennfaire regulars. Then there’s the really strange stuff — metal bikini tops, metal codpieces, tails, horns, and other accessories that I’m pretty sure were never popular during the renaissance but are a big hit at the faire. I love watching it all.
I didn’t go today because I’m on a writing frenzy and sticking to it this weekend. I’ll likely return to the festival next weekend in my lightweight renaissance lady festival outfit (yes, I have two — one for warmer weather and one for cooler weather). I don’t do slutty or tramp, so there won’t be anything sticking out of my cleavage. If you have to ask, you haven’t spent enough time wandering the renaissance festival.
Huzzah!
