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Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Top Reasons Ren Faire in Rain Still Rocks #photo feature




"That should be a drink....Renaissance Drizzle.   Maybe a gin and tonic slushie?"  the slightly sodden vendors in the circus arts tent said as they juggled and demonstrated diablo in the rain.   Sunday was that kind of day at ye olde Bristol Renaissance Faire.   But even without fair weather, we had a fabulous time revisiting the 1500's.

ChiIL Mama's Top Ten Reasons Ren Faire in Rain Still Rocks




*1  The crowds were down, and we could walk right up to most food and even ye olde flush privies without a wait!   The dust and heat were down,  too.   Huzzah!

 

*2  There was something satisfyingly absurd about seeing water balloon acro in a downpour.   The overfilled balloons popping on the pre-soaked actors was still amusing.   Barely Balanced's new aptly named 2pm "Water Show" was a wet and wild good time.    The slippery surfaces made for more of a challenge and they needed a bit of extra stabilization, but that just added to the fun.    And ice down the pants is still cold...and funny, in a chilling rain.   It was raining enough that I kept my camera packed away, but we highly recommend seeing Barely Balanced!



*3  It was the weirdest rain I've ever seen.  It repeatedly rained in very hard, short bursts then cleared, then rained hard and short again all day.   When I mentioned to a vendor friend of ours, that I'd never seen it so short and hard and over so fast, a corset clad bar wench passing by laughed and said, "It's like a guy doing it."   We laughed at the time, but it got funnier the more I really thought about it. *4  We ended up seeking shelter in little stores we'd never visited in our decades of doing Ren Faire, and stuck around longer looking at the goods in some of our old favs.   






We found secret hidden gardens, licorice & sassafras rootbeer,





awesome drums, didgeridoos 

and wicked cool witch hats, all while dodging the raindrops.

 

*5  Long haired boys look hotter when wet....Yeah, alright.   So do the bald ones.





*6  Whips still light and crack gloriously in the rain.   We highly recommend checking out Adam Crack, the fire whip guy, who holds 10 Guiness World Records...



and knows how to open a pop can like no other!






*7  And the kings of Ren Faire...The Swordsmen, are a must see as well, even with their altered casting this season.   Guido is "locked in the tower in London for reading ribald love poetry to the queen", so Dirk and Guido's young nephew, Bravo, are entertaining till he can be freed.   

In actuality, Swordsman David Woolley is recovering from a heart attack, and healing well, but still taking it easy.   We like the colorful back story, though!  You can follow The Swordsmen on Facebook  for health updates and future show info.    

Bravo's risen to the occasion admirably.   He's like a 1500's Orlando Bloom type in velvet tights and thigh high leather boots.   And Dirk and Bravo can play off all the age difference jokes in both directions.    Catch 'em while you can.    Guido is slated to return by the 2nd week of Ren Faire in Ohio.   Huzzah!   (It was also raining a bit hard for my good camera to make an appearance, but you can look back in our archives below for years of Swordsmen fun).




Here's a shot of the boy, Bravo, the only one we don't have prior mug shots of...from the Swordsmen's FB page. My husband, Dug, did the audio for The Swordsmen's DVD, so we've been taking annual Dug and Doug pixs for years. (see Dirk with hair!!).







     
2007-2011


And our favorite shot--the bloopers roll--from the "felled by a bootlace fight" also involving a cookie, a kid wipe out, and an accidental stoning!!   Click here for the full sordid tale.





Click all these links for our photo filled past features
*8  Downing swords in a downpour!   This time around, we also dug The Clan Tynker Circus in the rain.    



We were able to shoot the bulk of their show, including stilts, accordian, fire eating, sword swallowing, juggling and duo diablo, before the drizzle became a deluge.   





 But the short, hard rains came just in time to make their grand finale extra challenging.   No more spoilers.   Come see the show for yourselves, or you'll just have to wonder...



*9  Giant waffle cones and mile high chocolate crepes are just as tasty under an umbrella!






*10  Bravo for the brave--Rain adds an extra element of misery and danger to aerial arts, acro and wire work!   



Huzzah to the performers who brave pelting rains, fire & ice, machetes, knives and swords, slippery tightropes, and bodily harm for our amusement.

    

Also, huzzah to my brave and awesome 9 year old daughter who broke her permanent front tooth on Saturday, doing a Chinese Pole demo for a circus open house.   Her hands slipped and she did a face plant right into a metal pole, braved the dentist, and despite a fair amount of pain, she was up for a visit to Ren Faire the very next day.   Instead of hiding out, embarrassed, she rocked her gap toothed grin, proudly declaring it as an extra Renaissancie touch to her costume!!    We'll get her patched up with porcelain next Saturday when the root's calmed down.   Then she'll have a self proclaimed "bathtub tooth".

Bristol Renaissance Fair runs one last 3 day weekend, Labor Day Saturday through Monday.     Come on out and play while you can. 

Be sure to snag discount coupons at Walgreens before you go.   Also, check out  Bristol Ren Faire's main site right here, for advanced tickets, specials and must see events.   Then head out of town and back in time for some merry olde adventures at Bristol Renaissance Faire.    The fair runs through Labor Day Monday, then there's a special 25th anniversary bash September 14th & 15th this year.    Huzzah!!      

This year, for the first time, Bristol is also opening it's two day cast party to the public.   The fair will be packed up, but food and drinks will be plentiful.      


Bristol Birthday header 1
September 14 & 15, 2012

12550 120th Ave

Kenosha, Wisconsin 53142 


It's Bristol's 25th Birthday and we're throwing a party  - for you! This isn't a Renaissance event, it's the Faire in full party and dance mode. Come join the celebration September 14th and 15th, 2012 and for the first time ever, experience the magic of Bristol by night.
Green FairyEnjoy a wide variety of beverages including tasty specialty beers and unique cocktails. The green fairy herself will pour the Absinthe.






89 mojo at Brat StopSavor juicy cooked to order food while swaying in time to the vibrant beat of popular bands, 3D and 89 Mojo.

See you there!

Sincerely,

Bristol's Birthday Hosts


HOW TO PURCHASE TICKETS: 
Tickets can be purchased by calling the office 847-395-7773. Tickets can also be purchased at the Guest Services Gazebo during any faire day.

$6 per night or $10 for the whole weekend. 

The fine print: Office is open 9am-5pm Monday thru Friday and 8am-8pm Saturday and Sunday. Cash, check or credit card accepted. Tickets are only valid for the date on the ticket. No exchanges are permitted. No refunds. Lost tickets cannot be refunded or replaced. Orders placed using a credit card will be charged a $3 processing fee per order. Physical tickets will be mailed for credit card orders.

**NOTE:  This is not a Renaissance faire. Costumes and Masks are not permitted. This is a modern rock concert event where everyone is invited to simply come, party, and enjoy a great night out!** 





Bristol's 25th Birthday
Experience the Magic of Bristol at Night!

Bristol Birthday cakes

We start at 6 PM Friday the 14th and party until midnight.  Saturday the 15th we open at 3 PM and close at 12 PM.
Cover charge is $6.00 a night or the whole weekend for $10.00. 
This is a limited ticket event.  First come, first served.  Watch for additional information.



Where & When

12550 120th Ave

Kenosha, WI 53142

September 14 (6PM - Midnight)

September 15 (3PM - Midnight)


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