We're back from a weekend of vacation in our great neighbour to the south, the US of A. We've heard of the Sterling, New York Renaissance Festival for years, but could never quite seem to coordinate a visit. 2011, we determined would finally be the year. So along with another family, we ordered tickets, booked rooms etc, early in the year, and then looked forward with great anticipation for the next few months.
Our friends make it a yearly pilgrimage, so were well versed on the travel route, stopping spots and must-sees. So we just happily followed the Caravan caravan (yes we both drive Dodges).
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| Entrance to Warwickshire |
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| The Queen's Court, Opening Ceremonies |
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| Opening Parade |
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| Melords and m'ladies |
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| Band of Merrymakers |
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| One of many full-of-character artisan shops |
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| Entrance to a hobbit hole? |
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| The hilarious Sister Act duo |
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| An artisan hard at work |
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| The Tory Steller |
This fellow was hilarious. He did Jomeo and Ruliet in Spoonerisms (wixing up his merds). The second day he did Rindercella and Stugly Sep Tisters, and Rittle Led Hidingrood. And I shall never be able to think of Brad Pitt's two daughters Zara and Shilo in any sensible manner again - just think about it!
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| Acrobat playing two recorders while balanced on his head. |
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| The Knave of Hearts |
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| Yours truly demonstrating a feat of strength - NOT! |
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| The girls and yours truly astride the camel |
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| A $20,000 hand made glass chess set - I've asked for it for Christmas. |
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| Two of the jousting horses at rest. |
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| The Missus and Yours Truly, as we truly should be! |
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| The hypnotic tensome |
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| Feasting on a Turkey leg - just a sampling of the many hearty victuals. |
So it was a most entertaining weekend, set in Warwickshire in the year, 1585. Their advertising brochure states the following:
Step through the gates of beautiful Warwick and you will soon find yourself greeted by the town's jubilant citizens, who will warmly welcome you as one of their own. Villagers both fair and foul have left their work and worry to prepare this festival day in celebration of a rare visit from Queen Elizabeth and hour court as she sojourns through the English countryside.
The rules of everyday life are suspended for this special day of play and feasting. Be so bold as to join your fellow villagers in whatever amusements they have created for the day. Come along! Through your cares and inhibitions aside, and enjoy the brotherhood, adventure and reveling that is Warwickshire.
And that is basically just what we did. There was much good food (way too much caloric intake for two short days), scads of witty and skilful entertainers, and ambience galore, to say nothing of heaving bosoms and sweaty brows (it was hot and humid, and costumes were full and revealing (I know kind of an oxymoron, but nonetheless true).
Set in the forest on a very scenic hill, there are fifteen stages, a jousting field, myriads of artisan shops as well as foods to tempt the most discriminating tastebuds. Envision the following battered and deep fried: cheese curds, dill pickles and ice cream. Stave off those hunger pangs with a hot and juicy turkey drumstick, a slab of foot tall cake, and wash it all down with a mug of fresh squeezed lemonade or ale, if you prefer. Ahh, I'm getting hungry just remembering.
And that is about all I have to say for today.
Musings and meanderings from the Musical Gardener.
You're making short work of that turkey leg!
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful, and you tell it so well :)
ReplyDeleteThose plays with the Spoonerisms in them must have been hilarious. (and really tough for the actors to pull off without messing up) We rode a smelly ol' camel when we went to the festival, too. Really fun!
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