It’s back to the middle ages at the Renaissance Festival, Maryland. It was a travel back in time to this colorful world while falling in love with the rhythm of bagpipes and drums. The music made me tap my feet making way for an era that saw the beginning of art, literature and all things intellectual. Paying $20 for the entry ticket seemed expensive in the beginning but spending about your whole day in revelry and never a dull moment, it’s rare to get one, the price was worth it.
A knight all set to knock off his opponent at the jousting arena
As we strolled across the lanes of Revel Grove, a recreation of a 16th Century European village, everything from the glittering crowd to their kilts and peasant dresses, feather barrettes to Robin Hood hats, traditional pinball to jousting, all left us more than excited. And with the perfect pleasant weather by our side, we were eager to try them all out. Except for dressing up. Though rent-a-costume was possible, maybe we will try them another time.
Playing pinball, maze, axe-throwing, balloon bursting and more, in all traditional style with wooden boards and guns reminded me of them as video games when we were kids. Now in the times of PS3 and Xbox, even these games are passé. But here, you could play them and only for a buck! Talk about playing more than once or, better still, till you win.
Playing pinball, maze, axe-throwing, balloon bursting and more, in all traditional style with wooden boards and guns reminded me of them as video games when we were kids. Now in the times of PS3 and Xbox, even these games are passé. But here, you could play them and only for a buck! Talk about playing more than once or, better still, till you win.
Goblet making at a glassblowing workshop There are free shows and live music too. If the art of making goblets at the glassblowing session was a must see then the much hyped about jousting was just okay. But hey, I got to see jousting and the steel warriors in real and free. Could I have asked for more? We overheard people complimenting archery demonstration and mud show – we missed it or, so to say, marked it for the next year.
This festival would give great photo ops to the photographers as there’s so much happening around. And for those who love getting clicked (like me), the royally clad characters roaming freely at the fest are just as easy and happy to pose. Also, we didn’t miss out on those interesting photo op corners to spice up our Renn Fest album.
This festival would give great photo ops to the photographers as there’s so much happening around. And for those who love getting clicked (like me), the royally clad characters roaming freely at the fest are just as easy and happy to pose. Also, we didn’t miss out on those interesting photo op corners to spice up our Renn Fest album.
Women savoring medieval treats After all that walking (a lot of walking), taking that monkey slide, witnessing street acts, playing, just-plain-seeing others play, it was time to dig into a good meal. Food stalls touted local medieval fare on their menu. Limited choices for vegetarians like us, among those treats, we savored peasant breads with maple syrup and olive oil, jalapeno poppers, fried cheese and fresh corn (Stripped & dipped!). And that apple dumpling with hot cider sauce and ice cream was just right for our sweet cravings. Pretzels (choose between plain, garlic, sesame or probably more!) could also have been an option for us, but being exposed too much in the open hanging on sticks with vendors taking them all through the village, the idea of having them did not seem a sound one.
Unlike those history lessons, this date with history was quite a pleasing one. We had our share of feasting, frivolity, shopping for precious little nothings, some knowledge and some nostalgia. A trip next year? Definitely.
Unlike those history lessons, this date with history was quite a pleasing one. We had our share of feasting, frivolity, shopping for precious little nothings, some knowledge and some nostalgia. A trip next year? Definitely.
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