Of course we went to the Maryland Renaissance Fair this year. Of course.
We started out by getting food/wine. Sure, it might have only been like 11am, but Dave had been talking up those turkey legs, so there was a small demand for them.
Then everyone got to watch me get my hair braided. Luckily we brought patient people who didn’t mind standing in line with me, and then standing there while I had it done. Sadly, I found small reasons to not like it, so it was all for naught!
It was supposed to be lower on my neck! That’s what the picture showed! It’s not supposed to be so high! AGHHH!!!
There was a man doing with his “Wheel of Death”.
It wouldn’t be Renn Fest if I didn’t get into an argument with a random vendor. We saw a booth that had stuffed dragons dressed up as random characters, which I thought was adorable. I was drawn to one that dressed up as a knight when I had an inspiration. There was a sign that said “Ask Us About Custom!” so I asked the guy behind the counter about making a dragon dressed up as a horse or a unicorn. He retrieved the owner, who came out and demanded to know how she would dress up a dragon like that. I said the unicorn wouldn’t be too hard, maybe have a horn tied to its head, maybe a silly mask, a mane and tail tied on, and she just kept repeating, “How do I dress up a dragon as a horse or a unicorn?!” in a very nasty tone. So I told her she was being very rude to me, as a customer, trying to give her money. She gave a really half-assed apology “I’m sorry that you feel that I’m being rude,” and we left. She’s supposed to be the creative mind selling these, and she offers custom, and she can’t think of anything? Why would she try to make me feel like a jerk for daring to ask about getting a custom piece done? Sheesh.
We went down the lane and found another store selling stuffed dragons (although not dressed as anything), so we bought one there. I plan to tie a unicorn horn to its head, and voilia! Unicorn/dragon. That wasn’t so hard, was it?!
We watched the jousting, and someone was actually dehorsed! I haven’t seen that happen before. Sadly I did not get a picture of it. The unhorsed man was clearly annoyed, and flung his gloves to the ground.
But I did get a picture of the moment before the de-horsing. The white horse’s rider came off. The black knight triumphs!
There was a lady jouster, but she did not actually participate in the joust, just the skill games part. I was disappointed.
I can now officially say that I had ridden an elephant. Sure, it was only for like 3 minutes, but I did it!
and I have this terrible photo of us to prove it
We ended the day by going to the small zoo, and debating whether this African crocodile was real or a plastic model. It was not moving, or breathing, or giving any indication of life.
Reveal your secrets!!
There were also a lot of American alligators, but those were clearly real.
“Hey guys, what are you doing later?! I’m up for whatever!”
I think they were going for an “ick” factor, because the place was filled with reptiles and insects. But it seems it was run by some kind of conservation group, and had lots of photos of their work. They just know what appeals to the sort of people that come to the Renaissance Festival.
They are only open for the season until the end of next weekend and then it’s gone until next year. Parting is such sweet sorrow. (They have a lot of Shakespeare plays going too).