We had been given a scholarship for free tickets and free meals at the Texas Renaissance Fair and boy-howdy did we jump at the chance to cancel our responsibilities and frolic in the past for a day.
The clouds created a steady drizzle during the morning, so we were given the authentic experience of trudging through mud anyplace where cobblestone walkways were lacking, but that didn't dampen our enthusiasm to explore.
Check out the wonderful ambiance created by the architecture at this place. It's an entire village sprawling on over 88 acres and filled with literally hundreds of shops and vendors.
We started off the day with a jousting tournament. The heroes entered the arena midst loud cheers from the audience. Our kids had a great time cheering for their hero and booing for the opponent. Luckily our hero won the day, but not until there was much jousting and sword-fighting. It was exciting and fun, no matter if it was staged.
We had a wonderful time perusing shops and admiring their wares. This place was SO fun to explore, filled with winding streets lined with appealing storefronts beckoning to us.
The girls loved the jewelry shops the most, wishfully looking at pendants and amulets of every shape and color. One of our favorite stops was a musical instrument store, full of carved wooden animals that were cleverly designed to make music. The shopkeepers encouraged the children to try every instrument, and they were eager to oblige.
Daniel loved an armaments store the most, where he tried his hand at several handmade crossbows and begged for one as a Christmas gift. Matthew's favorite shop was home to a breathtaking chess set selling for $5000. The pieces were cast in 18k gold and pewter and took 6 months for the craftsman to make.
The creator was playing chess with any willing boys, and Matthew REALLY wanted a turn on this board. Unfortunately the line of boys was far to long to allow us the luxury of lingering long enough for a game.
My favorite shop was one of the many clothing shops, filled with the most lovely attire to tempt my pocketbook. I decided to upgrade my fairy costume for my entertainment business and chose a lovely skirt and top to replace my homemade ones. I wore them this weekend at a fairy party and really loved the new look.
We were enthralled with several performances throughout the day. Nathan's favorite show was 'Birds of Prey', and showcased several different falcons, hawks, owls, and vultures. The children loved watching the birds swoop just over their heads. It was so fascinating to learn about these creatures and watch their agility on display.
My favorite was a Fire Whip show performed with a lot of comedy and sprinkled with explanations of the laws of physics. It was so fascinating to watch his skill with a whip, and the kids were fascinated with the flames. His tricks were flawlessly executed, sprinkled with lots of humor.
Our children unanimously agreed their favorite show was a Middle-Ages-style circus, complete with juggling jesters, sword-swallowers, flame blowers, and lots of slapstick comedy.
The food was so memorable as well. With meal vouchers in hand, the children could shop at any food vendor they pleased. Right off the bat they all chose the traditional turkey legs.....and after 5 bites they were all full. Of course.
They happily worked on finishing those heavy drumsticks all day. Nathan and I opted for healthier baked potatoes, loaded with toppings. We were blessed with free desserts and drinks as well. I think dessert was Diego's favorite part of the day.
We really enjoyed watching craftsman demos ranging from blacksmithing to candle carving. Daniel was most fascinated by the broom maker.
Here are other random glimpses of the day:
Daniel begged and begged to get a picture with the Barbarian. We've been studying the Fall of Rome this semester, and he's been intrigued by all the barbarian tribes. So. He thought this was the coolest thing ever.
This field trip was very memorable for sure. We enjoyed our day together, even with the long 3-hour drive to get there. I'm so thankful we had the opportunity to share this experience with each other!
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