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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
Yet it is the multicolor that kept getting me. I found myself wanting each color to represent something. Red was easy, love of course. Green is for my career. Yellow was happy and became a way to focus on positive thoughts. Blue of course is calm, keeping grounded and finding balance.
