The Rapier began its life in the 1500s.  This sword was a cut and thrust weapon that was made for civilians.  A thing of beauty as well as a a functional weapon, the rapier is a one handed weapon with a very ornate hilt that is designed to guard the hand.  The blade can cut but the main...

Just in case you get in the wrong line one day, here are 10 ways to know you are at a Steampunk Festival instead of a Renaissance Faire: The eye-patch on the pirate is moving and glowing The Satyr has bionic-cloven-hooves Ded Bob is a steam driven puppet… of death! If you decided to...

Though I prefer the spelling Rennie, this is a really well done documentary.  Take time to watch it.  

“Do not be afraid of the Flemish Painter good fellows, tis only a camera.” Your vocab word for the day is the Flemish Painter.  You will usually hear this word used to speak of a camera that a patron has at a Ren Faire.  Being set back in the Renaissance time period or even  the...

Doktor Kaboom Science, science science… KABOOM!  Here is your formula: One part science One part fun Mix thoroughly and enjoy This is the formula for fun with Doktor Kaboom.  He equal parts scientist and comedian and one of the best showman that you will ever see at a Ren Faire....

Nuttin’ but Mud I am seriously in love with mud!  I love a good mud show.  There is something about a punchline that end s with someone taking a dip in the mud that cracks me up.  Nuttin’ but Mud, the mud pit show at the Highland Renaissance Festival in Eminence, KY is one of my...

Alabama Renaissance Festival The Alabama Renaissance Festival not only occurs over one weekend in October in Florence, AL, but it has spawned a month long set of events that fil the social calendar of the city and the region.  The amount of work the community as a whole puts into this faire...

Juggling Juggling or to juggle – To manipulate objects, such as balls, clubs, beanbags, rings, etc. in an artful or artistic manner. (wiktionary).  It is also one of my favorite things to watch at the Ren Faire. courtesy of Wiktionary Juggling has been around at least...

Don Juan & Miguel The picture below explains why you need to go to see the Don Juan & Miguel Show.  That is pasta getting whipped out of Miguel’s mouth.  Let me repeat that for those of you that are a little slow:  pasta being WHIPPED out of a man’s mouth. Don Juan...

Maidens IV has been entertaining people at Ren Faires and Celtic Festivals since 2003.  They blend Celtic and Folk music with amazing voices and instrumental skills that are second to none.  Playing all over the nation these young ladies have brought a different style of music to people all...

So I have a bit of a crossover topic for you today. Firstly, the word tankard and then the same item as part of your costume. Tankard:  A roughly cylindrical drinking vessel with one handle. The tankard is an old creation due tot he fact that drinking from a gourd or from your hand got old....

There are several stock pieces of costuming that you will encounter at the Ren Faire.  The first one that I would like to discuss is the tabard. The tabard is a simple coat or outer-garment.  Normally the tabard will come down to right below the waist or to the mid-thigh.  Now, here is...

Mead, glorious MEAD!  This is one of the secret reasons that i love the Ren Faire.  I love mead.  It is a little like wine but a little different.  I dig wine but I haven’t met a mead that I don’t like  Much like run is to the pirate (and I am a pirate), mead is to the Ren...

The Human Chessmatch is a staple at a lot of Ren Faires the world over.  It is light laid back entertainment and it can even get some of the attendees involved.  Usually it is  a kind of mass cast game that many of the entertainers, especially the street performers, take part...

As an addendum to the Long Bow story from a few days ago, I thought I would lay a little history, or at least a really good story down for you. We have all probably seen the English version of the finger, known as the two fingered salute (seen below). Now, historians say that Churchill...