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The world’s oldest Renaissance Faire, located just ten minutes east of Pasadena, is also one of the most inclusive places on Earth. Modern-day cosplayers, hipsters, families and singles all have one thing in common: they have come to escape their 21st Century reality in favor of a carefree, joyful day mixing with jousting knights, saucy wenches, regal ladies, and the court of a beautiful and gracious queen. The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire is open Saturdays and Sundays from April 6 through May 19 at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale, CA.
Revelry reigns at this recreation of a bustling sixteenth-century seaside town where thousands of costumed performers interact with and entertain guests throughout the twenty-three acre lake-side village. Guests are immersed in the music, language, merchant scene, and entertainment of the era. More than forty performance groups including magicians, dancers, jousters, comedians, musicians, storytellers, jugglers and improvisation troupes grace the sixteen stages throughout the village.
ENTERTAINMENT
Diversity among Faire guests ensures a wide range of tantalizing entertainment. Adults, children and those in between will find plenty to keep them talking for days after their visit. Among new acts this year, are ‘Tea and Strumpets’ in a limited engagement April 27, 28 and May 4, 5, 18 and 19. Join Chamomile, Peppermint, Ginger, Rosella and the rest of their madcap crew as they sing and dance in this stage show suitable for all audiences.
Laugh along with returning favorites, The Washing Well Wenches, the Clan Tynker Family Circus, MooNiE! The Magnif’Cent . Join Broon for his zany vaudevillian smack down and don’t miss with the free-flying falconry and birds of prey of Sky Kings Falconry. Sing along with local favorites such as the Poxy Boggards, The Merry Wives of Windsor, and the Story Wrens. And for international dance and musical flare, don’t miss the world-renowned Seraphim Arabesque, who will share hypnotic movements set to the beats of the Middle East.
JOUST
The town is abuzz with excitement, as the grandest jousting knight in all of England has agreed to hold a Pas D’Armes for Her Majesty’s visit, in the hope of becoming her champion.
This jousting tournament features elite challengers who test their mettle in spectacular feats 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 grace and beauty, win Her Majesty’s favor or will deceit and anger overpower the best-laid plans in these fast-paced, deadly duels of cold steel and splintering lances…
UNIQUE EXPERIENCES FOR ALL AGES
Elizabeth I, whose reign is noted as the start of the English Renaissance period, greets fairgoers throughout the day, and also holds audience at a royal tea. Tea with the Queen is at 4:00 pm Daily in the St. Cuthbert Guild Yard, where authentic English scones, tea sandwiches, tarts and tea are served. Reservations are required. Admission is $26 for adults and $13 for children, and includes a commemorative teapot.
Join the Court of Misrule for tea each day and have a crazy MAD time! Be prepared for fun and zany antics as these fools stir a little sugar into the mix of your day. The daily Unrulie Foolie Tea is at 2:00 PM in the St. Cuthbert Guild Yard, where authentic English scones, tea sandwiches, tarts and tea are served. Reservations are required. Admission is $26 for adults and $13 for children and includes a commemorative teapot.
The wee ones and the young at heart will enjoy Kids’ Kingdom, where games, crafts, story- telling, songs, interactive shows, and magic are featured in the fairytale land. Join in the fun, where you can see shows like Foolish Fractured Fairy Tales, The Witches’ Apprentice, The Giant’s Treasure, Beauty and the Beast, Merlin’s School Of Magic, and Gwendolyn’s Quest. Twenty-five lucky children each day will be knighted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in person! Signups start at 2:00 pm for the 4:20 pm ceremony at Kids’ Kingdom.
Gnomes have invaded Port Deptford yet again! Start at the Front Gate Information Booth or at Kids’ Kingdom to get your map to begin your epic Gnome Hunt! Then seek out the many gnomes hidden about the village in the guild yards, markets, and shops. When you find them, have the shopkeepers and guild members sign your information sheet. Then return to Kids’ Kingdom to receive your Official Gnome Finder Certificate and credit toward this year’s Collectible Limited Edition Medallion.
The Guild of St. Michael (near the joust) enlists kids of all ages in a fun and educational experience. A careful history and use of weapons is explained, and the kids get to learn how each weapon is used through hands-on interaction. Placed in groups, the new soldiers are then taught drilling and advancement techniques. Upon completion of the half hour course, the kids lead the march on the tournament field during the Royal Joust (with the Queen, no less!) Parents, get your cameras ready.
Pub Crawl! Laugh and sing your way through the Faire in a guided tour of six fine pubs where visitors receive one drink at each location – anything on tap, including cider!There are two crawls daily:11:30 am and1:30p.m. The cost is $50 per person, in addition to a regular admission ticket. Each crawl is limited to 25 participants.
MARKETPLACE
The Faire’s extensive Marketplace featuring more than 170 artisans offering hand-made wares including a tempting selection of authentic Renaissance clothing 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 your inner warrior with the perfect set of hand-crafted armor and weaponry. And take the sights and delicious scents of the Faire home (or find the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy-for someone) with exotic spices and incense, fine soaps, or unique and beautifully wrought pieces of pottery, sculpture, blown glass, original artwork, and other décor for the home and garden.
With so many merchants in the village, plus an ever-changing array of guest artisans, you’re certain to find something you can’t live without. And if the sight of so much artistry gets your creative juices flowing, why not partake of 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.
FEASTING
Merrily feast your way through the Faire! Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and omnivore appetites are all appeased with dozens of choices dotted throughout the Faire! Healthy appetites will welcome a roasted turkey leg – the meaty icon of the Faire – as they quench their thirst on their favorite ale or port. Vegan pizza, anyone? Try Scoops on Tap – delicious ice cream infused with craft beer! Coffee bars, Spanish and Greek flavors, cupcakes, salads, sorbets and so much more!
Special themed events are planned, including:
May 11 & 12
Military Appreciation Weekend – The Renaissance Pleasure Faire supports our troops and veterans by offering discounted entry at our Box Office with valid military ID. Save
$4 off adult tickets with military ID this weekend and EVERY weekend in the 2019 season! Join us this weekend for a beautiful, handmade favor for members of the US Military. Favors are available this weekend only. Look for parchment signs within the Faire to find this year’s favor locations. One of the special activities this weekend is the ‘Everyday Heroes Write-in Contest’ where entries will be accepted on the Faire’s Facebook page. Find more details at RenFair.com/socal
Heroes & Villains –Wear your colors with pride and help us celebrate this weekend with a twist! Step out and join the Heroes – or the Villains – for a weekend filled with daring deeds and diabolical schemes. Expect fandom photo opportunities and larger than life personalities, and prepare to have a good, or wicked, or just a wicked good time!
Weekend 7 – FINAL WEEKEND!
May 18 & 19
Closing Weekend – Join us as we celebrate the final day of our 57th Season carrying on the tradition of our Closing Day Parade (on Sunday, May 19 only).
BACKGROUND
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that profoundly affected European intellectual life in the early modern period. Beginning in Italy, spreading to the rest of Europe by the 16th century, its influence affected literature, philosophy, art, politics, science, religion, and other aspects of intellectual inquiry. In England, the Elizabethan era (1558-1603) marked the beginning of the English Renaissance with the work of writers William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spenser, Sir Thomas More, Francis Bacon, Sir Philip Sidney, and John Milton, as well as great artists, architects, and composers.
The Renaissance – to be “reborn” – A time when individuals celebrated the awakening of a new idea, when light was let into darkness. The Renaissance Pleasure Faire celebrates the spirit of this period of history, where people have the willingness to try anything and everything.
We offer the public an opportunity to join us as we embrace a cornucopia of diversity! Escape from the stresses and demands of the modern day and enjoy cutting-edge performances, artisans, experiences, and culinary delights for every palate.
As William Shakespeare wrote, “Let the world slip, we shall ne’er be younger.” We are historically-based with a twist of modern fusion.
We are 57 years strong and the adventure has just begun.
The Renaissance Pleasure Faire
Tickets for The Renaissance Pleasure Faire are $29.95 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 or on-line at www.renfair.com.
The seven-week Faire is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 in the morn, ‘til 7 eventide April 6 – May 19 at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, 15501 Arrow Highway, Irwindale, CA. A Vehicle Entry fee of $10 is charged by Los Angeles County. For more information, visit www.renfair.com.
