We left the house about 9:30 Sunday morning armed with sweatshirts, coats, etc. because we weren't exactly sure what the weather was going to do. The forecast called for sunny/partly cloudy skies...yet it started raining on the way there. It was a bit windy and chilly, but the sun came out later and it turned pretty nice.
We walked up to the front gates and it was really funny to watch the kid's faces as the people in their get-ups started yelling at everyone coming in, making fun of them, you name it. Their eyes got big, mouths open.... And I don't think they understood why a few were yelling "Save the children! For God's sake don't bring in the children!"
But as soon as we got in the gates, the kids were met by a woman in a very fancy dress, handing out "jewels"...made Katie's day. We watched a juggler attempting to juggling ping pong balls with his mouth and Katie and Will thought it was funny that he stole a guy's hat from the audience and he yelled at one little girl to "SHUT UP KID!" Then he went on to ask if her Daddy was here...she said no. He said "Good, then I won't get my butt kicked."
John did some archery, then I shot 3 arrows (only 1 hitting the target), and Katie shot 2...both hitting smack in the middle.
Here is "Legolas" showing off his skill. John shot probably 10 arrows...all hitting the target, most right between the eyes of the smiley face....poor little guy.
We played a couple games, the kids went through a maze, then we watched the "Puke & Snot" show - a comedic team of two guys trading insults and puns for 20 minutes. It's the longest running show at the Renaissance Festival and I had seen it 20 years ago when I was there the last time. The kids were too young (thankfully) to get many of the jokes, but they laugh at them all and Will liked the fact they were on a "pirate ship".
Then we went and watched the Armored Joust...was crowded, but we got good seats on the grass. That was pretty cool to watch, and I think the kids liked it too.
It wasn't "completely" fake....the jousting poles they used would snap and splinter from the blows, so it must have smarted a LITTLE bit. Then the joust turned into a sword fight.
Katie and Will shaking hands with our side's knight.
After that, we headed to a magic show at Katie's request. I found one listed, so we headed there to get seats. The fact that it was called "Pizpor Magic Show" didn't deter us.....maybe it should have. (Piss poor) :) Again - it was really funny, and most of the jokes were over the kids' heads, but they laughed at some of his bad tricks that they could tell weren't real. But the best "bad parenting" event of the day was when we took the kids through "The King's Dungeon". A display of torture devices used throughout this time in history....complete with mannequins. It had a nice little description of each device and what it was used for, which Katie was nice enough to read to all of us. ;)
Will is not so sure what to think of the mannequins that appear to be screaming in pain....
It goes without saying that Will got freaked out....but wanted to immediately go back in once we were outside. What can I say....I guess we're all a little morbid.
This sign reads: "Men who repeatedly got drunk were locked in the dungeon overnight then stripped of their clothes and chained to an empty ale barrow and forced to walk the streets for three consecutive days."
See...we're teaching things that every kid should know.
We headed home about 3:30 or so... and covered in dust and dirt. :) But it was a great day, and we'll be sure to head back in 6-7 years when the kids understand more of the sex jokes.
2 comments:
It might not take that long.
Sounds like a fun day!!!
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