Is Happening Weekends In Irwindale Thru May 20th & Get Details on The Special Friday School Day

Ten minutes east of Pasadena lies a land of imagination where jousting knights, regal ladies, saucy wenches and the court of a comely queen mix with today’s hipsters, history buffs, fantasy lovers and families. The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire – the world’s oldest – presents its 50th season weekends through May 20 at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale, CA.For directions click HERE.

Box office ticket prices are:

  • Adult single day - $25
  • Child (ages 5-12) single day - $15
  • Children 4 and younger are FREE!
  • Tickets are on sale now at www.renfair.com for a $2 savings per ticket.
Set in the recreated Royal shipyard city of Port Deptford during the reign of Elizabeth I, fairgoers – many of whom are dressed in period costumes – are immersed into the music, language, merchants and entertainment of the era. Hundreds of performers rove the 20-acre lakeside shire including Her Majesty herself, pirate Sir Francis Drake, playwright William Shakespeare as well as a bevy of knights, ladies, witches and peasants. There are 14 stages of entertainment featuring more than 40 performance groups such as knife throwers, jousters, witty shows, storytellers, jugglers and improvisation troupes.

Elizabeth I – whose reign is noted as the start of the English Renaissance period – greets fairgoers throughout the day and also holds audience at a royal tea. Tea with the Queen is at 4:00 PM in the St. Cuthbert Guild Yard where authentic English scones, tea sandwiches, tarts and tea are served. Reservations are required. Admission is $21 for adults and $10 for children and includes a commemorative teapot. Additionally, the Queen, the royal court and all the costumed performers hold a ceremony to open the doors of the Faire at 10:00 AM daily.

The wee ones and the young at heart will enjoy the Kid’s Kingdom where games, rides, crafts, story time, songs and magic are featured. Kids can vie for the title of Prince or Princess of Misrule during Foolish Fractured Fairy Tales, build a fairy house, collaborate with a storyteller to create an adventure or become a Knight or Lady of the Realm by the Queen herself.

While costumes are not necessary for admittance, thousands of people each year don garb from Elizabethan and other eras. No need to plan ahead as costumes are for sale and rent at the Faire’s Marketplace. More than 125 artisans dot the fairgrounds offering Renaissance and contemporary clothing, jewelry, home décor and original artwork. Arts and crafts workshops such as Celtic drawing, beadwork and basket weaving are offered for all ages at Queen’s College.

Healthy appetites will welcome a roasted turkey leg – the meaty icon of the Faire – as
they quench their thirst on their favorite ale or Port. Twenty-three food vendors offer an
array of foods from fish and chips and sausages to salads and sorbets. Vegetarian and entrees and desserts are available. An exclusive and riotous Pub Crawl is offered each day where cold spirits, lusty wenches, bawdy songs, drinking games and a guided tour of the shire are on tap. Ticket are $25 per person and include one beverage of your choice at each of the five pubs visited.

SPECIAL THEMED WEEKENDS

April 14 & 15, 2012

  • Military Appreciation Weekend -Discounted entry for our Servicemen and Veterans. Please present coupon, (Click HERE for the coupon) and show ID at box office.
  • Masterpiece Awards Competition –Friends of Faire Garden - Our artisans will be putting up a sample of their craft to be judged, but you might win as well! Drop by the Friends of Faire Garden and vote to decide which artisan will win The Masterpiece Award this weekend.
April 21 & 22, 2012
  • Steampunk/Time Traveler Weekend -We invite our patrons to dress up in your finest time-traveling attire. Whether you're the legionnaire, the engineer or the clockwork servant, we're looking forward to celebrating our huge milestone with you!
  • Costume Contest Weekend 11am-1pm in the Special Events Ramada located in RenQuest to register and receive your contestant number. Each Day’s Winners will be announced at 4pm that same day at the Port Deptford Stage. Saturday: Mythical Costume Contest. Sunday: Historical Costume Contest
  • Plein Air Painting (Sat & Sun) -Truly a Renaissance event, we’re offering 15 artists (each day) an opportunity to create works outdoors, from dawn to dusk, among teeming crowds and amazing characters, wherever and whenever they chose in the beautiful setting of Deptford Seaport. Completed, framed works will be available for purchase at the Plein Aire Auction.
 April 28 & 29, 2012
  • Friday, April 27th - School Day (9:30am - 3:30pm) This is the wondrous day when we welcome our local schools to our village. Students and Chaperones will have an opportunity to experience the arts, history, hands-on creativity and educational living history events along with the ability to make purchases from our many artisans and taste the scrumptious delights of the faire. They venture in to have fun and leave with a broadened knowledge! Registration for School Day is available online HERE.
  • Swashbuckling Weekend (Sat & Sun) -  Dress as your inner pirate! Join Captain Sir Francis Drake for a toast to life on the sea! Buy an ale at the Cuckoo's Nest (next to the Rogue's Reef Stage) and bring your favorite Toast or story of the sea to share! 1pm each of the Swashbuckler Days
  • Plein Air Painting (Sat & Sun) -Second weekend of Plein Air painting with 15 invited artist creating works in our realm wherever and whenever they chose within our glorious village of Deptford. Completed, framed works will be available for purchase at the Plein Aire Auction.
May 5 & 6, 2012
  • Saturday – Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us! Enjoy a delicious glass of Sangria, watch our Flamenco Dancers and pay a special visit to the Budweiser Clydesdales who will be visiting for the day!
May 12 & 13, 2012
  • Bacchanal & Masquerade (Sat & Sun)-In celebration of Bacchanal, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is hosting “A Taste of the Faire” a self- hosted Wine Tasting through five of our pubs. Tickets are $25 dollars and are to be purchased at the Crown and Anchor Pub near the main entrance of faire. Upon purchase you will receive a punch card that entitles you to five tastes of wine at predetermined ale stands, each of which will be featuring a different wine!
  • Sunday - Mother's Day -Bring yourself (and Mom!) to the Cat and Fiddle Pub to enjoy Mother’s Day Mimosas!
May 19 & 20, 2012
  • Home Brew and Craft Brew Demonstration -Local and Regional Home and Craft Brewers venture to the faire to demonstrate and educated our guests offer you a sample of their hearty concoctions.
  • Saturday –Plein Aire Painting Auction- The big day has arrived! The renowned artists have worked over the course of two weekends, painting the excitement of the faire during its celebration of 50 fantastic years. The opportunity to purchase their fine works of art will take place this day in the Wine Tasting Garden. Time of the auction will be available at the box office or on our website.
  • Sunday: The latter portion of a rare “Annular” eclipse of the sun will be visible from mid-to-late afternoon in Southern California on the final day of our season. The Renaissance Pleasure Faire has teamed up with the Los Angeles Astronomical Society to make this Truly Historic moment a part of our own Historic Revelry. The viewing will take place in the Celebration Tent.
  • Join us as we celebrate the final day of our 50th Anniversary Season carrying on the tradition of our Closing Day Parade.

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