Pennsylvania Ren Fest

Wandered to the PA Ren Fest today. I’ve been to several over the years, including the one at Larkspur, CO and near Fruita, CA. They are all remarkably similar in general appearance and feel, although the one in Colorado beat the crap out of the other two in terms of availability of hand-made sharp pointy metal things.

Ifyou’ve never been to aRen Fest, they’re like this: several acres of bad acting, horrid fake accents, bad food and cheap (but expensive) entirely useless products for sale. In other words, they’re fricken’ *great.* Entertaining as all get out. This one had a group of Taiko drummers plying their trade; something to see and hear if you get the chance.

There is, of course, the primary reason to go to a Ren Fest: the women’s fashions.I’m sure they’re historically innacurate as all get out, but on occasion… dayum.

I would have taken more photos detailing exactly the aspect of Ren Fest women’s fashion I’m on about, but my interest in getting my ass handed to me by angry boyfriends wearing kilts and carrying zinc flails was minimal.  A Google search can give you a good idea of what to expect at a Ren Fest.

The Ren Fests I’ve seen are all semi-permanent facilities. The CO and CA ones were out in the middle of nowhere in forested areas; the PA one is also in a forested area, but located on the grounds of a winery. Probably a good financial decision for the winery… likely some rent or lease money, and everyone who goes to the fest is a likely customer for their boozey wares.

The winery is located north of Lancaster, PA, in semi-famed Lancaster county. Gotta admit, the area is beautiful. And, yes, there are the Amish…