A Celebration of Magic, Mayhem and Merriment –
May 31- June 1 and June 7-8, 2014 ~ Camp Richardson, South Lake Tahoe
“Good Day to you, M’ lady!
(photo by Michelle Portesi)
We all know that summer is soon upon us when the return of the Renaissance Faire comes to town. It is truly one of those events that has historically kicked off the upcoming summer season for us.
If you have ever had the hankering to gnaw on a bulbous Turkey leg a la King Henry the 8th, or just wanted a good excuse to dress up in a corseted frock, this is just the event for you. Costumes of the period abound (and these people REALLY get into it!), strolling minstrels entertain with popular tunes of the day and every sort of eating, drinking and making merry can be found. And you get to join in the fun! Dressing up and participating is fully encouraged.
(I do recommend those of you who have seen ‘A Knight’s Tale’ one too many times to stay away from entering the joust however. You’ve been warned…)
Now THIS is a face mask! Woodland nymph edition. Just perfect for when you throw that next period piece masquerade ball. (Photo by Michelle Portesi)
Held underneath the pines at Camp Richardson in South Shore, you’ve just entered a twilight zone time warp into the days of Queen Elizabeth I – the one, the only, the original. These were the days when men were men (while in tights), and women were women (a fact highly visible via the generous decolletage often on display). And both looked exceedingly uncomfortable if gloriously historical…
You might even see a character or two from a Mid Summer’s Night Dream. There was even Pirate Extraordinaire Jack Sparrow wandering around one year. I’m still not quite sure what that was all about…
(Sadly no, it was not THE Johnny Depp).
Photo by Michelle Portesi
But I digress. It’s a real hoot and a lot of fun, not to mention, very educational for you and the kids. In our highly automated, modern day world, it allows us a small glimpse into a much simpler – and yet more difficult time, where even the most mundane everyday task was often extremely labor intensive. (Tell that to your kids the next time they moan about doing their chores. They could be swabbing out the pig stye instead. By which I mean the one the pigs sleep in…not their rooms.)
You, on the other hand, just get to experience the fun parts. Eating. Drinking. Dressing Up. No worries, as someone else is minding the outdoor kettle/rotisserie spit/barbie for you.
In addition to food, there are also puppet shows, parades, trinket booths, clothing purveyors and period craftsmen of every kind and much more.
Well this is just perfect! Why only yesterday I thought to myself that I really needed a new set of chain male to wear around the castle. And look! Here someone has gone and done all that tedious crimping and bending of all those little wire rings for me! I’ll be totally stylin’ at the next Norman invasion!
(Photo by Michelle Portesi)
Mandolin’s anyone?
Photo by Michelle Portesi
For more information on the Valhalla Renaissance Faire, here’s the link:
See you there!
YOUR FRIEND IN HIGH PLACES 
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