Prepare thyself for Merriment! (Part II)

We posted items about the Maryland Renaissance Festival the other day - - today we have a few more things to add.

The degree of costumes was rather cool. Many of these were the paid performers but some were guests just like us.

Did we mention they had jousting? These were serious competitors that had won multiple competitions here in the US as well as Canada and overseas.

The mix of old and new was fun. Sort of like this sign.....

THERE BE DRAGONS!

And tapestries for sale. Cheri bought a pillow.

Strolling musicians.

One of the guests.....

The youngest two learned how to juggle....sort of.

One of the other guests....with his own son.

Seen at the juggling lesson area.....

And for those of you who have followed up this long.....we put a little video together. If you click on the HD button it will take you over to Vimeo where you can watch it in High Def.

Enjoy!

2010 Maryland Renaissance Festival

Prepare thyself for Merriment!

This weekend past found the Lord and Ladies of Schmidt manor attending Festival Day in Revel Grove. This was a special occasion since King Henry VIII was to be in attendance. For those of you not familiar with Revel Grove, or the Festival Day......you may want to look for something called. the Maryland Renaissance Festival.

We started our journey early since we knew our ride was long and that Revel Grove is on the far side of our Kingdom's capitol. Scores of carts, buggies and other travelers slowed our travels as we negotiated our way around the capitol district. Eventually we found the grove and an appropriate spot to rest our beasts from the long travel.

To enter the grove you must pay your toll at the gate. We feared that the toll of $70 for the five of us might be a bit steep of a tax...but the banner over the city gate read "Prepare thyself for Merriment!" and we weren't disappointed.

Proper attire for the grove is encouraged so we found appropriate clothing in our wardrobes and dressed for the day.

This being our first visit to this village we enjoyed collection of over 130 shops and artisans that lined the streets. There were blacksmith, leather workers, jewelers, book makers, wood workers, metal shops, tapestry dealers and various arts and crafts of all kinds.

We were also exposed to many strangeth creatures....including giants of various kinds.

Unfortunately as the day progressed both Lady Christina and Lord Drew found themselves in a bit of a problem with the local sheriff.

But soon after serving their time in the stocks they were free and returned to their life of lies and gluttony. Here is Lord Drew enjoying a large turkey leg.

And Lady Christina enjoying corn on the cob dipped in butter.

Early in the day we noticed one minstrel with a strange enchanted bag. It reminded of the Green Man that we are familiar and fond of, but different.

It wasn't until in the day when we discovered a shop with many of these unusual creatures.

While there we discovereth that they were not Green Men but a creature called Grichels. We acquired a few of these to decorate our manor.

At many times it was difficult to tell the locals from those visiting the village. The attire was diverse.

Lady Megan found a man that was tall, quiet and never complained.

Lady Jessica and Lady Christina painteth their faces.

FOOD AND ALE!

One of our readers mentioned that we always seem to talk about food. Well this village over runneth with food and ale. Yet since we did not partake of the ale, we can only speak of the fine food. Not only were there roaming vendors

There were vendors of all types with many fine establishments.

Until next time we bid you adieu.

A Day in Plains

So another city around here is called Plains. They had a little celebration too, calling it “A Day in Plains.” We decided to check it out.

The girls being goofballs posing in front of old classics.

Of course we had to pose in front to the red bug!

Is Christina “smizing?”

Definitely “smizing” like a model...

Jess modeling that new ring she got at the fun little craft booths.

Christina got one too, but hers matches her eyes. Not that you can tell.

Purple!!!

A moment of fame...

So Jess had mentioned that a lady at Haymarket day has asked if they’d be her little models. They of course said yes...I must have been shopping for cute earrings or something, and missed it...Drew and Megan remembered when the shot was taken, but hadn't expected to see it printed either...Anyhow. Then when I was looking through the Haymarket Lifestyle magazine which came in the mail, I paused on this page thinking, “Yes, there are my girls...Wait, those are my girls in the city magazine?”

Such cuties!!! Am I proud much? Yes I am...

And, no, we don't know who the girl is standing next to them.