The Fair

We made arrangements a week ago with some friends to go to the Renaissance fair in Silverton. I got discount coupons and directions off the Internet. We could all fit in their minivan. I do sometimes miss the mini van for that very reason. Theirs fits eight, with a pull down movie projector for the children. As soon as the movie starts the loud talking in the back ceases. It is a cool trick.

The place is easy to find with the directions. It is the second year for this fair. People wander around in costumes covering several hundred years. Some costumes are fantasy costumes with fairy wings. A few jesters are also around. There are actors in costume. You can tell by their carrying voices and their comfortable bearing while dressed in medieval garb.

There is a temporary arena set up for the jousting and sword play. It is very realistic looking with sparks flying from the swords on contact in battle. The horses are beautiful. Each section roots for a different Knight. They use long pointed javelins to grab hanging rings from horse back. They also charge each other with blunt tipped javelins while galloping. It was much like that movie "A Knights Tail". Fancy maidens road around the arena making their horses bow and dip and Spanish walk.

The place was set up on a farm next to a forest. The tents of vendors were set up under the trees which helped shade everyone from the heat of the day. The cars were parked in the un mowed field.
Painted medieval pillars were strategically placed to give you the flavor of a medieval village. I am spoiled. What I felt was missing were real ruins.

Being the last day of the fair, many of the booths had great prices on the jewelry and souvenirs. I bought some new necklaces and earrings for less than $5. I could have bought a lot more. I gave the boys $20 each to go get food and souvenirs themselves. As usual I banned swords. My girlfriend's husband also banned swords. He said inevitably they would hit each other at home with swords. Someone would get hurt and the sword would have to be confiscated and broken. I love being backed by other parents. My boys don't think I am so strict then.

Tom was golfing. He loved that we were going out, he said , so he didn't have to feel guilty about being gone. He should never feel guilty about golf. I love his mood afterwards. I asked Tom if Trevor's friend could spend the night. He said yes. This particular friend is a quiet boy. We have always enjoyed having him over as he keeps the boys entertained quietly.

I asked Tom why he wasn't into Renaissance as he was Civil War. He said the Civil War reenactments are more realistic. The people involved really want to be in 1863, and do their best to create that atmosphere and realism. Renaissance is more like playing dress up.

Its true. Behind the black smith tent is a propane tank, not a boy at the bellows. The campers that spent the night were in modern Pup tents. No canvas covered poles in sight. The Renaissance Fair was theater entertainment. The Civil War was the participants reliving the period as authentically as possible. The civil war was not about the paying customer. That is what made it so special.

I loved the Renaissance fair for the fun and frivolity. It was a fun day and worth the short trip, as going to a play would be. The Civil War reenactment was all about living and breathing 1863. The participants took their roles very seriously. It wasn't acting, it was living.

The boys enjoyed the magician show. Riley watched it twice. He laughed and cheered with the crowds. The boys were right at the fence when the jousting occurred. Cheering on their favorite Knight. The choreography was great in the fight scenes. The actors wore heavy leather belts around their waists to protect them in the final scene when they get stabbed in the gut and carried from the field.

We were told all the horses were rescue animals. A donation helmet went round after the show. We all put money into it. There were musicians playing classical music and selling their CDs. One gentleman sang bawdy Scottish ballads that were hysterical. We wandered through the trees to keep to the shade. You could rent costumes for the day at one tent. My friend bought an inexpensive hair ribbon for her daughter.

I had brought a shawl to sit on which came in handy several times. It is light and easy to carry draped over my purse. It is nice to have when sitting on prickly hay bails or the ground while wearing shorts or thin light clothing. The children liked it.

We popped another show in the DVD player for the ride home. Trevor's friend stayed with us when we were dropped off. They were going to try and see another friend on the way home so the parents didn't come in. The boys went off to play on the computer. Tom was already home from his day of golf. He was having that perfect Sunday. He had Tivoed the Nascar Race and was watching the replay. The only thing that could have made it better is if Jeff Gordon had won and Tom had shot better golf. But he was content and happy in his chair.

I made Marinated Flank steak for dinner with rice a roni, one of my family's favorites. I like it because it is minimum time in the kitchen. There were no left overs. Our guest didn't like it. I guess it is what you are used to. I think that other food was snacked on instead. Cheap hot dogs are always available.

I could hear the boys voices late into the night, through our bedroom walls. Tom slept through, so I let it go. Just telling the boys to whisper.

Today I am driving our guest home and going to try to get to my sister's house. No one has mowed her lawn since I did it two weeks ago. I like to mow lawns. Trevor will help me. Mowing her lawn is an easy way to help out. We, Trevor and I are also going to check those school supplies. His tutoring starts tomorrow.

Despite the bad things happening, its been a good summer for us. No complaints today.