Today we took a trip to the Renn Faire (or the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, as it’s more properly known). Our youngest had never been, and the pandemic is totally over (right?), and our eldest is back in town (with their partner), so it seemed like a good year to do it. I have to say, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I have in the past. But perhaps I’m just too old for this shit, as Danny Glover is wont to say. Here are my observations:
- It’s very dusty, and very hot. I’m sure this was true in past years as well, but I was definitely in better shape back in those days.
- There are way more vendors. I wondered if maybe I was just misremembering how many there used to be, but Christy agreed with me that this was far more than last time (which was, to be fair, probably around 10 years ago, if not more). Essentially, we had to hunt for non-stores in between all the store
s— it was crazy. There were 3 shows, 1 one which was terrible, and the joust, which was so packed we had no hope of getting in. And a few games (archery, throwing axes, that sort of thing). Other than that, just rows and rows (and rows) of shops, overpriced food stalls, and sellers of of $7 water bottles. - Our middle child (that would be the one with the heart condition) really does not handle heat well. I think they might be done with Renn Faires and amusement parks and that sort of thing.
- I could be wrong, but I swear I walked right past Amy Dallen (late of Geek & Sundry, currently at D&D Beyond). I would have stopped to say “hey,” but people were moving along so fast, I barely registered it was her before she was out of sight. Perhaps not a major celebrity sighting, but still worth sharing.
- Other than food and drinks and parking, we bought some fancy honey, and the youngest got a pretty nicely carved wand for only $20. Other than that, everything was just too pricey for us.
- The youngest claims to have enjoyed herself, so I suppose it was all worthwhile in the end.