Monday, August 23, 2010

A Day at the Faire

Monday, August 23, 2010

My family and I attended the Renaissance Faire in Bristol, Wisconsin. It was a first experience for all of us and one we all enjoyed. I think our favorite part was the jousting, though if you ask Drama, her favorite part was all the shops. That girl never tires of browsing. Here are some of my favorite pictures:

The gentleman above was my absolute favorite costume of the day. The feathers, the leather, the boots, the tights...I loved all of it! The best part? He had a smile on his face every time I saw him. He made me think of the word "jolly". Good for him!

During the joust, we were all told which knight to cheer for depending on where we were sitting. The knight above is the one Drama and I chose. She informed me that she didn't care who they told her to cheer for, this knight was hers. I applaud her independence and her choice!





Is it any wonder why this was Drama's favorite knight? I must say the girl has taste! When she saw him sitting by this tree shortly after the joust, her face lit up and she insisted on a picture.







My son, Comedy, chose these 2 guys as his favorite characters. I wasn't surprised. They really do look like superheroes or maybe even villains. Either would be fine with him.


The man above actually hand crafts these amazing leather "costumes". The craftmanship was superb. Comedy wanted a pair of those clawed gloves. Unfortunately I didn't have an extra $200 laying around. 


This lady (pictured above) was a hoot. Man, she had to be sweating her arse off.


And this picture is absolutely priceless. Nothing was going to stop this gal from getting her Renaissance on. I had to do a double take, but, yep, that's oxygen she's toting behind her. You, go, m'lady!

How about you? Ever attended a Renaissance Faire? What's your favorite part? If you haven't been, I highly suggest you do so. It's really a lot of fun. I'd like to go back next year, but this time I'd like to be in costume!

SIS Barb aka Elle J Rossi

22 comments:

Edie Ramer said...

Great pictures! Your kids are gorgeous!

I've gone but it's been years. One day I'd love to go again. Did you see Molly Maka from our chapter? She and her husband are two of the Renaissance characters.

Elle J Rossi said...

Edie,

Thanks!

I didn't see Molly. I wish I would have known. I would have searched for her. Maybe next year we can get a few from our chapter to go. That would be fun!

Sisters-in-Sync said...

Great pictures! Drama's choice of knight would have been mine also.

I've never been, would I would like to go. Maybe next year. I'm not even sure when ours is...but I know I always see signs for it.

Glad you had fun,

SIS Bren

braukes said...

I've never been but would LOVE to go to a faire.

Elle J Rossi said...

Bren,

I think Krys goes to the one in your neck of the woods. I know you'd enjoy it. The people watching is great!

Elle J Rossi said...

Berinn,

Do they have one in your area? If not, maybe next year you could drive or fly up here and I'll go with you!

Mary Jo said...

I went several times many years ago before my back issues made the day way to painful. But I love seeing the photos and hearing about what's new.

Your kids are as gorgeous as their mom.

Tori Lennox said...

I haven't been in years but I LOVE LOVE LOVE Renaissance festivals!!!! The costumes (my friends and I used to dress up too--I'll have to scan some of my pics), the jousting, the shopping, the food! I have stuff I'll never use for any other purpose than another RenFaire if I ever go again but I won't get rid of it for anything. I keep lugging it all around with me every time I move. Some day I WILL find a place to wear my leather gauntlets (I had some idea at the time I bought them of putting together a Musketeer type costume). LOL!

~Sia McKye~ said...

When I lived in California, I went every year. For a few years I was part of the Backgammon games. I was a saucy wench. I made my own costume for my sister and I. Believe it or not,we made them from sheets. We picked up a huge box of white sheets in a hotel sale. Those that fit the beds I kept and those that didn't I used for other things. My sister and I dyed them and then made our skirts. We had a ball. Since my role was being a draw and therefore a saucy wench, my outfit was off the shoulder with a drawstring. I can't remember what material we used for bustiers. Used ballet slippers. We looked authentic (except I was a clean wench, lol!). I had a blast.

Loved the jousting. Lot of play acting went on. I got *captured* by a knight who claimed a kiss much to the delight of the crowd. He took the ribbon from my hair and made a big deal of tying it around his arm. After he won he made a big deal of riding his horse right up to the backgammon area--not far from the jousting field. Then another knight challenged him right there. Sword fighting. They were good. I had fun.

Love the pics! You have lovely children, Elle and watch out, Drama is gonna be a beauty!

Krys said...

Elle,

I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Once you go, you're hooked. And you have to dress up next time, that's half the fun!

Brenda, if you want to go next year let me know and I'll get with you and we'll set it up. Our Renfest usually starts in February or April and runs for six weekends. It takes place at M.O.S.I. near U.S.F. in Tampa.

SIS BJ said...

Great pics. Love Ren Faires. Hope to go to one this fall.

Elle J Rossi said...

Aw...thanks, Mary Jo. You are too kind! I can see why all that walking would hurt your back. I'll admit my feet were killing me.

Elle J Rossi said...

Tori,

You should take pictures of your wares and share them with us along with those of your costumes. I'd love to see them. Halloween is right around the corner. Perhaps you could put together a musketeer outfit for that.

Elle J Rossi said...

Sia,

What a fantastic story. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm jealous that those knights fought over you. How romantic!

Elle J Rossi said...

Krys,

One of the best parts for me was trying to figure out who the patrons in costume were. Sometimes it was super easy to spot them. Other times...No clue. The costumes were great.

I hope Bren takes you up on the invite. She'd have a blast.

Elle J Rossi said...

BJ,

Where is there one around your area? I think fall would be the best time to go. While the weather was fairly comfortable yesterday, I couldn't imagine being so dressed up and having to sweat the entire day. Fall would be amazing for a Ren Faire!

SIS BJ said...

Noblesville has one in the fall. One year it was perfect weather, then the next it was very hot. you know how much I love the heat.

Elle J Rossi said...

BJ,

I'll look that one up and see what the dates are. Maybe we could go together????

Beth Ciotta said...

I LOVE Renn Faires. Unfortunately, the closest one to me is three hours away so it's truly an all day if not overnighter affair. Not sure I'll make it this year, but I have plenty of memories to sustain me. :)

AWESOME pictures, by the way! Tell Drama I applaud her choice in knights. :)

SIS Beth

Elle J Rossi said...

Beth,

I'll be sure to tell Drama. She was in heaven and is still talking about her knight today. She said she may even write a story about him. Now that's being dramatic in a good way!

Krys said...

The 6th Annual Fishers Renaissance Festival is Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3, 2010.

Sir Maximilian said...

I remember taking that picture with young Drama. Thank you for cheering for me!

Post a Comment