Not Your Typical Ren Fair

Have you heard of the Maryland Renaissance Festival? Located near Annapolis, it's the second largest Renaissance fair in the country, and one of my fall favorites. It opens this weekend and runs weekends only through October 19th. Yes, its extremely nerdy and extremely fun!

Last year our friends, the Henriksens, invited us to go with them. It was amazing! We saw jousting, sword swallowing, a weapons demonstration, story tellers, several music ensembles, an aerialist, wood carving, and a glass blowing demonstration. Kids can play at a playground with a big ship and ride elephants. Also, the people watching does not disappoint.

 Story tellers. This might happen if you get called up on stage.

I know that no one ever really talks about getting in touch with your masculine side, but what better way to do it than biting into a large hunk of meat while fending off small creatures who try to take it from you?

The turkey legs are delicious.The stroganoff is terrible. The food prices weren't too outrageous.

Artisans sell blown glass, leather goods, pottery, costumes, swords, furniture, jewelry and more. The stores are located in permanent, period structures.

 Why yes, those are short leather shorts in the background.

A closer look at the kiln.

Once the glass is hot, the artist blows into the pole and then rolls or swings it to shape the glass into a ball or cylinder.

 Then they use a flat surface and tools to create other shapes.

 Here are just a few of the finished products.

At this point, you might be wondering why I'm showing you a bunch of glass when I could be showing you men on horses pointing swords at each other. Good question. I wish I could remember the answer. Maybe I just didn't have my camera out because I didn't want to miss anything.

The great thing about going to the festival this weekend is that kids under 11 get in free. Adult tickets start at $17 and go up to $22 mid-September. Tickets for children normally go from $8-$10. There's no charge for children under age six. Parking is free, and there's plenty of it.

Have you been? What did you think?