Minnesota Renaissance Festival, 2013

Quote of the Day:  Friends can help each other. A true friend is someone who lets you have total freedom to be yourself - and especially to feel. Or, not feel. Whatever you happen to be feeling at the moment is fine with them. That's what real love amounts to - letting a person be what he really is.  Jim Morrison

Oktoberfest was the theme at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, so we went because sometimes, you just need to get away, spend time together in a relaxed, unscheduled way, and enjoy. I spent a considerable amount of time this morning looking for a quote on getting away, attending festivals, getting dressed up and going out, but found nothing that fit. The above quote has little to do with any of that. It's just a good quote. In other words, be yourself, and hang out with people who embrace who you are. In some ways, that's what the Renfest encourages. You see all kinds of folks there, dressed up like fairies, pirates, knights, wenches, dragon-slayers, whatever is their fancy. I saw Moms & Dads and the kids all dressed up and having a good time. Couples of every kind were spending time together, buying cool stuff, and eating giant turkey legs. (That was the biggest food line!)

We tried on vests, then had to have'em!

Thanks for the birthday present!

The Chef, sportin' the colors!

Intense on the "Puke and Snot" show. 

They've been performing here every summer since 1974.

I got fun festival hair again!

I wish it would last longer!

When I took it out on Monday night, my hair puffed out like Hermione's in the potions class scene in the Harry Potter movie!

I think these two were headed to the Fairy Wing Forest!

We picked another large crowd day!

Great weather, fun theme, and much to see and do!

This performer has a trained raven. If you held out a coin, he'd pluck it out of your fingers with his beak.

A cask-totin' turtle.

I hope you have a chance to get out to a festival or fair, or some other social gathering. It's a hoot to watch the performers and the people. There are definitely some characters out there!

Go. Create. Inspire!

Journaling Prompt:  Do you dress up for festivals? What would you wear if you dared? Where do you get ideas for characters?

Highlights of the Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, MN

Quote of the Day: A bit of history on a festival where it's cool to dress up, eat over-sized turkey legs, and yell, "Huzzah!"

Minnesota's History with the Faire

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival began its journey in September of 1971 on a 22 acre field in Jonathan, MN. More than 25,000 people visited the two weekend grand opening of the festival then named “A Celebration of Nature, Art, and Life!” That celebration has since relocated to Shakopee, MN and has grown to be the largest Renaissance Festival in the United States with an annual attendance of 280,000.

 

I went to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival for the first time this year. I didn't dress up, but once I saw the hairbraiding booth, I decided to get my hair braided, then wished I had dressed up. Next year.

 

Before

 

During

 

After

Thanks to the Biker Chef for this creative shot.

 

The traditional turkey leg lunch and a beer

 

 

As with all good festivals (and state fairs), you eat and drink your way around the fest while visiting vendors, shopping, and watching some fun performances.

 

 

You know what they say about playing with fire...

This guy has been doing his act for 30 years!

 

The Chef found a fun hat.

Is he the Mad Hatter? Or, a magician?

 

 

Got his picture taken with the queen.

 

I found a friendly pirate to take a picture with me.

I know his secret name because he's dating my neice.

His pin says, "Not Jack."

It was fun to run into someone I know.

Although, I'm sorry we didn't get to see his juggling act.

 

We watched a jousting match and caught the legendary "Puke and Snot" comedy duo, and saw some other fun street entertainers.

 

Then, it was time to go home.

Someone might have had a little too much fun!

 

Thanks, Chef, for suggesting this fun fest. I had a great time. Many people come dressed as pirates, wenches, princesses, fairies, gypsys and other people from this period, or fantasy books and stories. Loved it. I'll be back next year with my gypsy costume, first in line to get my hair braided again, big hoop earrings, rings on my fingers, bells on my toes, and all that jazz.

 

Also, we were gifted with one last gorgeous fall weekend. Today, we have wind chills below freezing, snow in the area, and a need for parkas, ear muffs, and perhaps a hot toddy.

 

Go. Create. Inspire!

 

Journaling Prompt:  Do you like to dress up for festivals or Halloween? What's your favorite costume, or idea for this year?