Don't Take Me Seriously - Book - Page 99
ESCAPE Weekly
April 23 - 29, 2010 – 4
Pirate for a day at the f-ahrrr
The Renaissance Pleasure Faire can be one of the
ultimate ‘escapes’ — because it’s all in your head
A
hrrr, good sir, would ye like to be a
and, if you remember that column, the
pirate fer a day?
ale-induced nostalgia was thick.
Each year, when I return to
Still, I had a good time.
the Renaissance Faire, I ask myself why I
So this year I decided to take a date,
keep doing it. I mean, the thing has never someone I knew would keep an open
been cheap. I figure, in 2010, spending a
mind. Well, the yokels were all over her
day in 16th century England costs about
like ants on honey. But it was all in good
a thousand times more than it did, you
fun and the ale and I thought it was
know, during the real deal.
hilarious. Yeah, she loved it, too.
And, truthfully,
(Ask me sometime about
the coolness of all the
the Dim Sum joke.)
“m-lady” and “good
So you’ve got the R-fair
morrow” stuff wore off
being fun for young yokels,
in the early ’80s. I’d just
families, old whiners and
seen too many costumed
even daters. Apparently, it
yokels using the accent of
has something for everyone
Elizabethan England as an
— well, at least everyone in
ice-breaker so they could
my sphere of influence.
molest attractive women
But, specifically, and
Jim Walker
in the crowd.
most
importantly, I think
Don’t Take Me Seriously
And yet, I keep going
the Renaissance Faire offers
back.... Why?
escape. (Yeah, I know,
Originally, when I was a yokel (but
perfect for these pages.) For one day and
never costumed or with accent, mind
a bag o’ money you get to be as goofy as
you), it was for the ale, the cleavage, the
you want to be and no one puts you down
bawdy behavior and the free-wheeling
for it. In fact, they encourage you.
party that mostly went on in my head.
And, for those who can’t let loose, the
Plus I was a history buff and anything
fair lets you be a fly on the wall and watch
with shiny swords in it hypnotized me.
all the other folks getting goofy. Well,
Then, later, I kept coming back so
that is, until someone calls you out, which
my children could enjoy the less bawdy will happen at some point, whether it’s
shows, and the games and pageantry.
just being dragged into a shop to look at
And the whole family had taken up
wares or dragged onstage to get kissed by
people watching.
MooNie. (And no, that was my date, not
Now, don’t get me wrong, I still
me. I’m tellin’ you, she had a good time.)
appreciate the ale and I still hold cleavage
Now, on other pages in this issue,
in high esteem, but over the years the
Michele Buttelman discusses the whether
former has gotten pretty pricey, and I’d
to go costumed to the fair or not decision,
swear the latter has lost a little something
but I submit, if you commit, you will
(well, or maybe I have). It’s still usually
have even more fun. At least that’s what
worth a look, but sometimes you feel like
those in costume keep telling me. And it
poking your eyes out afterward.
really does make you “one of them,” so to
Anyway ... the kids’ schedules make
speak. However, if ye olde English accent
it difficult for them to join me at the fair
is particularly bad, or if your costume is
these days. So, last year I went by myself,
from a century other than the 16th, or if
Jim Walker/ The Signal
Leather pirate hats await purchase at Amsbury’s near the entrance of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire.
it is some sort of conglomeration of outfit
parts from warped fantasy, you might
not garner as many friends. Well, that is,
unless you are an attractive woman, in
which case anything goes.
Depending on what you wear, via
purchase, rental or making it yourself,
you can become any character you want.
(Hey, kids, it’s like being a game avatar
in real life!) Pirates seem to be especially
popular these days and Jack Sparrows
of all heights, races and acting abilities
abound at the fair.
I remember when a pirate hat was
made of felt, and modeled after Captain
Hook’s. Now they’re leather, for the most
part, like Cap’n Jack’s — much to the
delight of the heat, I’m sure.
But they are waiting for you at the fair, as
well as any manner of Renaissance-related
fantasy outfit you can imagine and afford.
However, I think if I was going as anything,
I’d go as a Highlander. I have a bit o’
Scotsman in me and the kilt would be most
comfortable when the weather warms.
Besides, the Scots get to roam around
all cranky and hostile and carry really big
swords when they confront the English.
There’s something for everyone when
it’s all in your head.
