Renaissance Faire - Definition and Overview

A Renaissance Fair (or Renaissance Faire) sometimes referred to as a Renaissance festival, is an outdoor weekend gathering drawing on themes from pop culture perceptions of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, strongly mediated through the entertainment media and comics.

In May 1963 schoolteacher Phillis Paterson and her husband Ron put on the first Renaissance Pleasure Faire, an outgrowth of school projects. The Faire was held in North Hollywood, California and drew some 8000 people for the one-weekend event. Incorporating as "As You like it productions" and moving to larger open-air quarters, the Patterson experiment in "living history" has expanded into a North American summertime phenomenon.

A Parade of Fools, stage plays in Shakespearean or commedia dell' arte tradition entertain fayregoers, many of whom wear costume, while strolling minstrels, mimes, jugglers and jesters mingle with the crowd. The Renaissance Fayre provides men an opportunity to wear tights and ladies to display generous cleavage. For a time the Guinness Book of Records record for most beer sold at a single venue was held by a Renaissance Fayre. Stained glass panels and scented sculptured candles feature prominently in the accompanying bazaar.

External link

• General information about Renaissance fayres (http://712educators.about.com/cs/renfairegeneral/)

Example Usage of Renaissance