You can time Travel back hundreds of years to the small town of Willingtown England to the late whatever during the Renaissance. YOU can be a Time Traveler!
For a small sum of coin you can enjoy an old English village complete with characters, and some are real characters, of medieval time.
This is the Northern California Renaissance Faire.
Maids washing rags (medieval clothing) and engaging in bawdy conversation greet you after entering the main gate.
People are clothed in period dress, complete with swords, helmets, and beer breath. I love this place.
One can attend the Faire in your own personal medieval garments, (most folks from San Francisco have a closet full) or purchase them onsite. I choose neither. Hawaiian shirt and shorts are my “day off uniform”. I may not blend in, but I will not be taken hostage by mistake either.
Many a shop and booth with food, drink, clothing, knick knacks, cool looking crystal balls, knives, daggers and “another thing to dust” are all for sale here.
Fairgoers all head for the mead and beer booth to quench ye thirst, and proceed to discuss anything that comes to mind about fifty decibels above normal conversation, thus making a medieval point of some sort. If you fill up on mead, a thick white like wine made from fermented honey and water, you may then choose “Ye Olde Bud Light” at said booth. You can down a few of these tasty beverages, and in no time soon find yourself in the town plaza secured to a yoke to the amusement of any and all who pass by.
The Romany Camp stage at Jazlas Coffehouse features the humor of “Broon”. This is a character not to be forgotten anytime soon. He is actually a stand up comedian who also does medieval tricks during their shows.
The shows at the faire are really funny, but do not volunteer or sit near the stage in case of sequestering. You would soon be the brunt of any and all humor in the show. I always have a better time laughing at another’s expense, not my own.
Broon will eat a stick on fire, not unlike any meal I have endured at my own home on any given day. The medieval crowd cheers for more, hoping against all hopes he will perish for their personal entertainment. Yay!
One of my favorite spectacles at the Fair is the Tournament of Champions. This would be the “joust”. The event involves breakaway lances for safety, but bones have been broken. I would not recommend doing this at home. The event starts with a couple of “Knights” talk smack for a while, then get on a very large horses, both man and steed in full armor, and on cue, charge at each other aiming a long lance with the goal of skewering his opponent like a shish kabob. The winner is last man standing. The crowd goes crazy. This is a must see, and arrive early as seating is limited.
Speaking of shish kabob, a massive area in the village is set-aside for food vendors. The variety of culinary delights boggles the mind. No Renaissance Faire worth it’s salt would be without Roasted Turkey Legs. The food “on the go” that says a lot about the consumer. Also, you have the chance to share a smoked Turkey leg with a wasp. Actually, there is a very good chance on this. I have traveled to this time for a few years, and the local wasps have too. They seem to only like the Turkey legs with attendees.
I have never had to fight over a BBQ roast beef sandwich or egg roll with a wasp.
It is well advised to bone up on medieval speak and/or broken Irish to sound local and blend in with the crowd.
Or drink 3 beers. You will fit in seamlessly.