Siege the Day!

Just wanted to share a quick reflection on the Alabama Renaissance Faire that I went to with a couple friends this past Saturday...

The Alabama Renaissance Faire is an annual event in Florence, Alabama put on by Downtown Florence Unlimited and Kennedy-Douglass Center for the Arts.  This community event is free and caters to all ages.  The faire takes place in Wilson Park (aka “Fountain on the Green”), 217 E. Tuscaloosa Street.  This year’s faire takes place Saturday, October 27^th at 10am-6pm and Sunday, October 28^th at 12pm-6pm.  The faire has many vendors selling weaponry, armor, jewelry, crowns, and other items from the Renaissance period.  There is also a full food court, complete with fried pickles and turkey legs.  There are several musicians and acts that perform throughout the day.  Jousting, weaving, role plays, belly dancing, glass harmonicas, and trained pigs only name a few performances that attendees may watch.  Many people dress up in Renaissance attire and speak in old English, adding to the Italian Renaissance-feel of the event.  Events are organized to begin and end the fair.  On Saturday, there is an opening ceremony followed by a parade of those who choose to dress up in Renaissance-themed clothing.  On Sunday there is a Coronation Ceremony where the current King and Queen lose the crowns and the new Monarch(s) take over the fair.

Hear ye, hear ye! If ye haven't attended the faire before, I bid you don't forgo another faire.  Your presence is requested in Florenzo this very same time in a year yonder.  I attended this year’s fair on Saturday afternoon with several friends, and ‘twas most splendid!  We all really enjoyed ourselves! The Renaissance Faire transformed Florence into a mini medieval experience.  The weaponry and craftwork being sold, the turkey legs being eaten, and the medieval background music all added to the exciting renaissance atmosphere.  But my favorite part of the event was the participation of people attending the faire.  I really enjoyed all of the costumes people were wearing.  From fairies to Jack Sparrows to knights and queens, the creativity did not stop at outfits; many people took on the character of medieval times by speaking in old English and acting like their character.  One woman was dressed as a beggar and actually acted like a beggar, crawling to people and asking for money.  It was very entertaining; I felt like I was thrown back in time.  The vendors and craftsmen at the fair were awesome.  There were tents with pottery and wood carvings and medieval games that craftsmen recreated.  There was also a whole weaponry tent that was complete with axes, clubs, mace, and crossbows; all of which you could touch and take some very fun photos with.  Other great photo ops were everywhere, including Torok the troll, a person dressed as a purple monster-like creature, who could also be depiction of Grendle.  Some performances were really neat as well.  A man was playing the “glass harmonica,” which was actually a table full of glasses with water in them, and he made some pretty cool music with it.  Another performance we went to was more or less a terrible dog show, but it was done in old English with Renaissance humor so it was hilarious.  I would recommend this fair to anyone who wants something to do on a weekend in Florence.  It is well worth the admission price, and it is a great experience.  It is very possible to spend a whole day at the fair.  I plan on going again next year, and I am thinking about going in costume and really being a part of the whole experience. (I’ll just have to work on my Olde English first!)  Fare thee well ‘til next year!