I have just returned from the Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale! A wonderful event that takes place every spring, the Pleasure Faire features an entire labyrinth of fancy craftsfolk, games, vittles, and performers! George loved this sort of thing! There was so much to see, it took me a middle age to decide what to do first!
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My conundrum was solved by the announcement of the upcoming Battle Pageant, hailed as so dangerous that it could only be shown once a day! The Battle Pageant reenacted a 16th-century skirmish between the English and the Scots, who taunted each other ferociously then let loose with their muskets. KABOOM! Instinct compelled me to retreat into my lodge, but I was nowhere near my lodge! In any case, both sides charged forth with sword and pike, skewering and slashing each other mercilessly (or at least feebly swinging their weapons and trying to make contact with each other, but I digress). Though the Scots demonstrated their impenetrable schiltron, which repelled the English for a short while, they broke form and were promptly slaughtered. Fortunately, all the corpses rose to life again, and there was much applause!
Suddenly hungry, I filled my belly with a Scottish pie and strolled the vendors, finding works of great craftsmanship, like nifty shoulder-mounted griffin and goblin puppets that move their heads with a little controller you can keep in your pocket! Unfortunately, they were designed for human shoulders and would have crushed me, so I went to look at the costumes and hats… so many hats… But again, every garment was designed for a human body. However, there was one thing designed for everyone: music! There was a man playing the dulcimer, and what an instrument it was! The name comes from the Greek “dulce melos,” which means “sweet sound,” and it is played by hammering strings, like a harp mixed with a xylophone. What a sound it made! I want to learn how to play it, but I don’t know how that will work without opposable thumbs!
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Speaking of music, I had a fanbeaver moment at the Faire: I got to meet one of my favorite bands, The Merry Wives of Windsor in person! This pawful of bawdy wenches has something for every mood and sensibility with a repertoire ranging from beautiful Celtic folk songs to hilariously naughty fare! By the end of the show, I was half bouzouki with excitement, so much so that I asked for a picture with the ladies. They were so nice, and very eager to hold a beaver! I might add that they held me really well, as if they’d had lots of experience! Check out their new album, Bottoms Up, today!
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It didn’t take long to get tuckered out after the parades, the wandering, and the axe throwing. There was so much to see at the Faire that won’t fit into this little blog, so you should definitely check it out or search for a Faire opening up near you! You’ll love it! I promise!
Merry Wanderings!
P.S. I just found out that today was also Shakespeare’s traditional birthday! Happiest of birthdays to the paragon of Bills!