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The Northern California Renaissance Faire is a chance to experience some medieval fun in this modern age. The faire gives you the chance to dress up, be entertained, eat and drink to your heart’s content, and revel in the inclusive atmosphere of Willingtown, the village on which the Renaissance Faire is based. From bawdy adult humor to colorful children’s show, the Northern California Renaissance Faire has something for everyone.
Every weekend during September to October Willingtown comes to life with entertainers, musicians, vendors, and costumed characters. Entrance is on Saturday and Sunday from morning until dark. A hugely popular Celtic rock concert series has been mounted after the park closes each day, so now you have the chance to rock the night away with some of Celtic music’s most popular rock bands such as Culan’s Hounds, Wicked Tinkers, and the Young Dubliners. A full day of entertainment and a full night of music come at a very reasonable price. This price is slashed for children under ten, and discounts are also available for groups and season passes.
While the Celtic rock concert series is a huge reason to stay at the faire after dark, there is plenty to do with your family or friends during the day as well. There are seven different stages that feature all manner of musical and comic entertainment. For the children, there is a Punch and Judy show put on in the best of the English puppeteering tradition. Adults have plenty of shows from which to choose including Manly Men in Tights, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Two Players of Verona, and Odd’s Bodkins, just to name a few. There is even a real Commedia dell Arte troupe with actors trained in the art of original Italian sketch comedy. Commedia troupes have been delighting audiences all over Europe since the fifteenth century with comical scenarios based on stock characters.
However, just walking up and down the main streets of Willingtown is entertainment in and of itself. The town is full of colorful costumed characters who love to interact with newcomers. There is a group of Puritans that will come to shout damnation on any revelry while the Yeomen of the Guard march through to keep order. You will hear the daily news from the town criers and get the best gossip from the washerwomen. Daily you can watch the pageantry that accompanies a visit by Queen Elizabeth I to the streets of Willingtown. Other historical costumed characters include Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh and William Shakespeare.
There are approximately one hundred and fifty vendors who ply their wares on the streets and sidewalks of Willingtown. Traditional craftsmen work in leather, metal, pottery and more to bring you the finest selection of Renaissance handicrafts. There is also a clothier from whom you can rent your own medieval costume if you want to dress up and join the fun; dressing up is highly recommended. Take a trip to the Northern California Renaissance Faire this year during September and October located in Hollister between Highways 152 and 156. To learn more, visit their website: http://www.norcalrenfaire.org/
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