The Renaissance Fair

The drive up was quite quick. I really have to admit I was surprised but that could also be because we (my sweetie and myself) started from Hayward. So going out to Hollister was not too bad. Soon enough we were pulling in and getting out of the car. Everyone is changing into their 15th century garb and starting to change how they are talking. This is going to be kind of cool and the fair's last day.

Laundry Service

Once we enter the fair it is like going through a time warp. The first thing we are greeted by is a group of maids washing clothes. Now that is what I call dry cleaning. The fair turns into a myriad of circular paths each opening to other performances.

Their are stores selling all sorts of gift items and things from the time period. There were leather, metal and hand-made goods. All sorts of funny little nicks and knacks to put in your house or to use while at the fair. The best thing really was all the performances from the Capella groups to people teaching to actual mini theater performances.

Men in Tights

Like the above, an abridged version of a bunch of Shakespeare's plays. The actors gave a rather humorous twist to them via their improvisation. One thing I loved about this performance was there way of summarizing how to remember a few of the plays with inches. Like how "Much Ado About Nothing " as the 3" play where as 12" was for "Taming the Shrew". It was quiet a good way to help the crowd remember them and put a nice hidden adult twist to a family fun affair. During the play  actors incorporated in the crowd and joined in, just like real guest were.

 

After a bit we got bored and continued on to check out the rest of the fair. It really is just like a fair with games and all. There is a maze, petting zoos and a few rides. Funny to look at them and compare to our current rides. It is easy to see how they have evolved and actually kind of cool. I really enjoyed being able to stop and shoot a bit of archery. Plus I hit the target a few times too, cool huh? Things you did as a kid can be recalled.

 

The best thing for me was watching this man blow glass. I mean it is incredible the works of art he did and these pumpkins to solar lights and more. Listening to him was also a hoot. How the art was good for people who cannot wait since they could change things easily, unlike clay which is all about precision and taking its time to cure.

Dressage

Then we were off to explore again and some how managed to stumble into the last main show of jousting for the season. It was great! First there was a horse show where the riders did some tricks and mostly dressage. Which is a formal style of horseback riding. Then the real show was on.

Jousting: Salute

The jousting had four rounds, which was in my mind a bit unfair. The first round winner has to fight the next fresh guy and their were four guys. I don't get why two didn't fight two and have the winners fight each other. That way each guy was equally worn down, but I don't make the rules. It was fun to watch. Seeing them charge and try to break the other. Plus when they would actually play sword fight and sparks would fly. All in all the day was a success and I felt happy to have done it.