One Fine Knight (Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire)

Member Name: Shadowtwinchaos

Product:	Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Date:	25/01/02 (153 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Men in armor, Great fun, Lots to see and doo

Disadvantages: Nothing

Gather ye rosebuds while ye can and join the revelers as they attend the Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival. Step back into the 16th century and find yourself immersed in the smell, the feel, the taste and the excitement of that era. The GPRF is held every year at the Morelandshire Faire Grounds.

Once upon a time, my best friend told me about the faire that her and her family went to every summer. Not knowing what to expect, I decided my children and I should give it a go. So we planned all summer long. We were going to camp at a campground near by and go to the faire. Arriving, we had to park in a large, grassy field, where you couldn’t see the gates. Upon walking up, we entered into a large wooden gate and into yesterday. We were surrounded by knights in armor and ladies in beautiful gowns. We were immersed in chivalry and charm.

Each weekend that the Faire is open, there is a different theme. Romance, Celtic, Peasant, Games, Children's Fantasy, Shakespeare, and The Grand Finale. Each weekend has special events that related to the theme. Such as the Romance Weekend has events such as the wooing contest and the wench press. On Children’s Weekend they have a dragon hatching. Each weekend brings forth more entertainment, up to the Grand Finale.

Then there are some standards that are there every weekend. Such as the jousts. There is a troupe of Knights who perform each season. Each day has three jousts, with different events each joust. The jousts are attended by the King and Queen of the Faire, which is a grand affair. It is important to attend the first joust and chose which Knight you are going to follow and cheer for. Then, the following jousts you sit in your Knight’s corner and cheer him on to victory. We have our favorites who we cheer for each year, although their colors may change, we recognize him and enjoy cheering him on. It is often that we leave the joust hoarse from cheering. This year, we had to
leave early due to a sick child, so as we were driving out of the field, we saw the procession of Knights coming in for the last joust. We stopped the van and all four Knights on horseback rode over to our van to partake in a bit of good hearted flirting, which thrilled us ladies and some up close views of the Knights, which thrilled the children. Many women say there is something about a man in a uniform. I always say there is something about a man in armor.

Some of the other standard shows are the Underground Mud Show. It is a troupe of peasants who re-enact classic stories and tales by sliding them through the mud. Now that may sound unusual, and it is. However, it is also highly amusing.

Some of the other amusements are the The Gypsy Guerrilla Band offering Celtic music at it’s best. Or the Human Chess Match where you can take part as a chess piece with the Knights directing you at the King’s command. Or perhaps more to your taste would be a stroll through a Fairy Forrest where you can see a real unicorn or dance with the fairies. I will warn you that the fee the Elves take for crossing into their wood is steep. You must entertain them. Have you ever tried to make an Elf smile? Everywhere you turn there is music, laughter and fun.

The food served there is excellent, if a bit high priced, as is at most places. But you can sample a turkey leg the size of your arm, or a bread bowl full of soup. We usually pass on the soup, even though it smells good. Usually the weather is rather warm if not down right hot and humid. If it is more to your taste, you can refresh yourself with a glass of wine or a beer. There are many shops of every kind there for you to ohh and ahh over. From the finest jewelry, all hand made, to the finest of wooden and tin instruments. There are clothing stalls, where you can rent outfits or purchase them. There are weapons shops, armor shops, head dress shops, toy shops and candy shops.


Man
y of the people in costume are not part of the show, simply revelers who love to take part, such as us. We started at first with just purchasing Renaissance style dresses and the guys wearing tunics. But every year we get more and more into it. We now own authentically designed dresses and our next purchase will be corsets. If you look at the picture I have in my profile, you will see a partial picture of me in my Renaissance dress. It is not required that you dress in Ren Garb as they call it, but it does add to the feeling of stepping into a time long gone. Where men were men and women were wenches. There is an air of chivalry where ever you turn, along with peasants, royalty and Celtic music.

There are also a few rides available for those who chose. None of the roller coasters of today. They are run by honest man power. There is the battering ram to swing you or for the braver at heart, there is the wheel of fear. Both are fun and an easy way to catch a breeze and cool off from the summer heat.

The cost to enter into the past is reasonable. Adults are $11.95 US dollars, children are $5.95 US dollars. This will gain you entrance to a wonderful visit to the past. We usually go on Sundays, having camped all weekend. However, it is only a day trip from the city of Pittsburgh. But I will caution you, it can be addicting. Once you begin time traveling back to this era, you may find yourself stuck in the past. But this may not be such a bad thing. So, if you should ever find yourself wondering what it was like back then, here is a simple way to experience it in full, living color

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