The Renaissance Pleasure Faire Returns this Spring Celebrating its 53rd Season!
Irwindale, CA (PRWEB) March 19, 2015 -- A mere ten minutes east of Pasadena lies a land seemly thousands of miles away. It's a land of imagination, as if built by house elves hundreds of years ago. It’s here where jousting knights, saucy wenches, regal ladies, and the court of a beautiful and gracious queen mix with today’s hipsters, history buffs, fantasy lovers and families. The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire – the world’s oldest – presents its 53rd season beginning April 4 and continuing each weekend through May 17 at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale, CA.
Set in the recreated royal shipyard city of Deptford during the reign of Elizabeth, fairgoers – many of whom are dressed in period costumes – are immersed into the music, language, merchants and entertainment of the era. Thousands of performers rove the 23-acre lakeside shire including Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth herself, and Sir Francis Drake, as well as a bevy of knights, ladies, witches and peasants. There are 16 stages of entertainment featuring more than 40 performance groups such as magicians, dancers, jousters, witty shows, musicians, storytellers, jugglers and improvisation troupes.
There is excitement galore as the grandest jousting knight in all of England has agreed to hold a Pas D’Armes for Her Majesty’s visit in hopes of becoming her champion. This is a jousting tournament where select and elite challengers test their mettle in spectacular tests of equestrian skill and noble bone crunching jousts of honor. Who will dare to compete? Will arrogance and might take the day? Can skill and speed or even grace and beauty win Her Majesty’s favor? Or does deceit and anger overpower the best laid plans as the jousts become a fast paced deadly duel of cold steel and splintering lances…
Entertainment
The invigorating entertainment lineup includes something for everyone. Belly laugh at the antics and hijinks of the Clan Tynker Family Circus. Be astounded by the hypnotic ways of Lord Franko, the Hypnotist. Suspense will take hold while watching the brilliance of Acrobatrix as they balance and juggle each other. MooNie! The MagNif’Cent will tickle the funny bone with his whimsical silliness. Join Broon for his zany vaudevillian smack down. Geoff Marsh will warm hearts as he has the little ones join the show. Returning with an international dance and musical flare is Seraphim Arabesque, they will share hypnotic movements. VaNa MaZi will take one on a musical journey by way of Greece, Italy, Central Asia, and the Balkans with Gypsy Jazz, Turkish beats, and a pinch of their own American heritage.
Revisit old friends such as The Washing Well Wenches, “Wet Dirty Women, Good Clean Fun", Sky Kings Falconry with their free flying falconry and birds of prey. -Transmitting different Cirque techniques and aerial delights, witness our new aerial silk duo, Draiku. Sing along with local favorites such as the Poxy Boggards, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Belles of Bedlham and Wren of Iniquity.
Kids' Kingdom
The wee ones and the young at heart will enjoy the Kids' Kingdom where games, rides, crafts, story time, songs and magic are featured in the fairytale land. Kids can vie for the title of Prince or Princess of Misrule during Foolish Fractured Fairy Tales, build a fairy house, create potions with the Deptford Witches and collaborate with the Godmother of Storytelling to create an adventure or become a Knight or Lady of the Realm by the Queen herself.
While costumes are not necessary for admittance, thousands of people each year enhance their experience by donning garb from the Elizabethan era, or participate in one of the special themed weekends by dressing up as their favorite pirate, time traveler, fairy, or fantasy character!
Marketplace
Come dressed to the nines in your favorite costume, or treat yourself to a brand new look as you peruse a variety of clothing options available for rent or purchase in the Faire’s extensive Marketplace focused on hand-made wears. The shops of more than 125 artisans dot the fairgrounds, offering not only a tempting selection of clothing from authentic Renaissance looks to fantasy and contemporary choices, but so much more! Accessorize with eye-catching hats, bags, and exquisite jewelry; make the look your own with a creative mask, or indulge the inner warrior with the perfect set of hand-crafted armor and weaponry. Choose a tankard, goblet, or drinking horn to help with the sampling of all of the tantalizing tastes the Faire has to offer.
With so many merchants in the village, plus an ever-changing array of guest artisans, one is certain to find something you can’t live without. And if the sight of so much artistry gets the creative juices flowing, why not partake in one of our arts and crafts workshops, such as Celtic drawing, beadwork, or basket weaving, which are offered for all ages at Queen’s College.
Tasty Treats
Healthy appetites will welcome a roasted turkey leg – the meaty icon of the Faire – as you quench thy thirst on a favorite ale or Port. Twenty-three food vendors offer an array of foods from fish and chips and sausages to salads and sorbets. Vegetarian entrees and desserts are available.
Pub Crawl!
Laugh, sing and gallivant through the Faire in a guided tour of our finest pubs! The Pub Crawl visits 6 pubs - and receive one drink at each location - anything on tap! Including cider! There are two crawls daily: 11:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. The cost is $45 per person to join The Pub Crawl in addition to a regular admission ticket. Each crawl is limited to 25 participants.
TICKETS
Tickets for The Renaissance Pleasure Faire are $28 for adults and $15 for children aged 5-12. Children 4 and under are always free. Adult season passes are $150 and a child’s season pass is $60. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, at participating Walgreens stores or online at http://www.renfair.com. The seven-week Faire is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10AM til 7PM; April 4 – May 17 at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, 15501 Arrow Highway, Irwindale, CA. A Vehicle Entry fee of $10 is charged by Los Angeles County.
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Kristen Mansour, Renaissance Pleasure Faire, http://renfair.com/socal, +1 (626) 969-4750, [email protected]
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