Huzzah!

Last year, my friend Bella and I made the journey to the Irwindale Renaissance Pleasure Faire, about an hour outside LA proper. We did not do it correctly, waiting until the last possible day when it was 102 degrees. Our mead, albeit delicious, quickly became room temperature, and we only lasted about an hour at the event. Since then, we decided there was one thing for these maidens to do … run it back.

This time, we were prepared — crowns on, fans in hand, and cash secured, as we learned that many booths do not take “fairy magic” … also known as credit cards. 

Before I delve into the faire and its sights, I want to explain why this event belongs in my Viewing Hour column. The common perception is that the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is a market – a collection of stores, markets, and food all expressing the Renaissance-era theme. However, it commits much harder: all vendors are in-persona, acting as store keepers, jesters, beggars, and other on-theme characters. 

This ren faire is an all-around immersive performance experience. Characters constantly engage with attendees, driving bargains at shops or offering up jokes as you pass by. There are official shows on various stages continuing all day, such as magic, dancing, and full-on medieval rock shows. Everyone there is “committed to the bit” and attending warrants this, so you accept the silliness and the constant chorus of “Huzzahs” while trying not to get too caught up on the nerdiness. Hot girls go to the ren faire too, and you can tell everyone I said that!

My favorite shop was a witches' den. The merchant self-identified as a witch, brewing potions for any circumstance you may find yourself in: in love, anxious, unlucky, and more. It felt more like a free psychic reading than a witch party. Each potential potion was individually packaged with the ingredients and an activation spell. I’m not sure of the efficacy rate, but the merchant was a true saleswoman. By the end of our conversation, I was almost convinced that $40 was completely reasonable for a small bottle of herbs.

The live performances were a hit — just maybe not the sword swallowing. While very impressive, it will always creep me out. My favorite live performance was a Renaissance metal band, covering what I believe to be Blink-182 songs using the lute and harpsichord while a jester danced alongside them.

I was most impressed with the level of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire characters’ performance. As a fully-immersive experience, even the visitors committed to characters and engaged with this fantasy world. It started to feel like more than a viewing experience that I, too, became increasingly part of as the hours went on. I talked to a shopkeeper who told me that many vendors commute from out of town, camp on site, and live there for weekends during ren faire season. I asked her if this allowed vendors to immerse themselves more fully in this world and she agreed, comparing it to a Renaissance-themed adult summer camp. 

Like my experience last year with extreme heat, I wondered about the workers there. Many of them dress in full gowns and garments, but continue to show up with a grin and a compelling, all-day performance. The vendor I spoke to simply said, “you get used to it,” but I think it’s more about the love everyone has for this joyful, albeit silly, event. Everyone involved is passionate and willing to transform — the root of all great performance. There is no room for judgement; take it from me, only turkey legs and mead shall be granted to those pure of heart. 

While attending a ren faire involves more activity than clicking your remote, the excitement does come with a cost. Entry tickets were $53, and once you are inside, your tab will likely rack up as you buy souvenirs, food, and rounds in games like archery or sword fighting. I would highly recommend the lavender lemonade and the cheese fries — obviously a culturally-accurate customary meal from the Renaissance era. The handmade corsets were beautiful, but above my price range. All that said, I found the price fair considering it is an entire immersive experience filled with costumes, acting, and various other avenues of entertainment. 

I intend to return next year for the outfits, the constant performances, and the all around one-of-a-kind experience … if not to have an excuse to say “Huzzah!” every five minutes. For any retired theatre kid or any maidens with a love for the arts, I highly recommend a ren faire adventure.

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