The 33rd annual Renaissance Faire opened with ye olde bang ”“ and beautiful skies ”“ the weekend of Aug. 7-8.
The Tuxedo-based 16th-century costume bash ”“ with shopping, entertainment and turkey legs for those who want a renaissance nosh ”“ will run through Sept. 26, said Wanda Carr, the shows marketing director.
“Last year was a washout for us ”“ literally,” said Carr, watching costumed customers coming in by the hundreds. This year, she said, “We had 5,500 people for opening day, and today promises to be another great day. We”™ve added more acts, extended our hours from 12 noon to 7 p.m. and pushed the fair back a week to Sept. 26. This way, we”™ll be able to maximize the time our shows and vendors will have and hopefully make up for last season.”
There”™s no business like show business for these troupes, and the show must go on. Most of the vendors and acts travel from faire to faire, from Connecticut to Florida, many travel the Renaissance road, which keeps them moving nearly eight months a year.
Harpist Kathleen Finnegan from St. Augustine and her high-wire acrobat husband home school her three children via North Carolina”™s home-school curriculum. “Yes, it”™s a challenge,” said Finnegan. “I have a senior, a sophomore and a 12 year old, but they are getting their education and we are continuing with our business.”
With toddlers Isabella and Ava getting their hair braided Renaissance-style, Melissa Sly of Jersey City says the Faire is a “yearly ritual for our family. We love coming here, and we love seeing everyone in costume. It”™s an opportunity for grownups to have fun and dress up. When was the last time you could do that and have fun?”
And dress-up they do, those thousands flocking to the Renaissance Faires all over the country. Each year when James and Marsha Saracco make the trip from Rhode Island, they buy another accessory for their outfits. They look as if they just stepped out of a Renaissance revival as do many of the Faire-goers. “I love it,” said Saracco. “It”™s worth the trip, and we come for every opening weekend. The best part is getting dressed up and being a kid again.”
One week after the last performance, the Renaissance Faire starts transforming itself into a house of horrors for Halloween, a far cry from the revelry of jousting, hoisting a brew or whistling at wenches. For the next six weekends, up to September 26, those inclined to be a little risqué ”“ or those who just want to enjoy some great acts and people watching ”“ can join the cast and crew of the Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo.
