HOLLISTER — Bawdy times, mirth, jousting, jesters, and even tea with Her Majesty await those visiting the “woods” near Casa de Fruta.
The Northern California Renaissance Fair is back for its 20th anniversary run where commoners gather to party with royalty like it was 1599.
It replicates the faire revelry from the reign of the first Queen Elizabeth from 1558 through 1603 complete with an army of “characters” dressed in era appropriate attire whether they are entertaining, serving turkey legs or veggie burgers, selling 1500s wares, or roaming the grounds engaging fairgoers in conversation and antics.
It’s roughly 90 miles from the Manteca-Lathrop-Ripon area to reach Casa de Fruta by taking Interstate 5 and then heading west over the Pacheco Pass via Highway 152.
The Faire takes place Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $42 per person; it’s $12 to park your Tesla or ox cart.
The ticket covers dozens of shows. But, you can expect to spend coin on food, drink, and wares. And, yes, they do take debit cards. They aren’t that authentic although they’d probably take gold coins.
The only “special event” costing extra is tea with the queen that includes scones, tea sandwiches, dessert, and tea. It’ll set you back $40 per adult and $20 per child to dine with Her Majesty.
But then again, you do get to take home a souvenir teapot and take a selfie with the queen.
Reservations for the 4 p.m. tea time are “strongly suggested.”
The Renaissance Faire lets you experience England’s Golden Age.
It’s when poetry, music and literature blossomed.
The likes of William Shakespeare and many others composed plays that broke free of England’s past style of theatre. It was an age of exploration and expansion abroad.
The Protestant Reformation became more acceptable to the people of England after the Spanish Armada was repelled.
It also was the end of an era when England was a separate realm before forming a royal union with Scotland.
To replicate the feel of that time, the adjoining grounds of the landmark Pacheco Pass fruit stand, restaurant, and kids amusement area has been converted into the 16th century village of Willingtown known as home to one of the finest market faires celebrating the harvest in all of England.
If you’ve never been to a Renaissance Faire, it is safe to say it is simply Medieval from the jousting tournaments to court jesters right down to the food — well, kind of, given this is the 21st century and one must make accommodations for health codes and the Pepsi Generation.
The Faire is a feast not only for the stomach but for all of the other senses from sight to hearing and even touching.
Besides roaming entertainment, nine stages of scheduled entertainment, period music, and royal spectacles there are more than 200 vendors offering everything from food and beverages — including adult brews — to games, rides, clothing, art, garlands and accessories, jewelry, perfume and incense, wood, leather, metal, and toys.
Not only are the hundreds of “characters” and vendors in period costumes but also many guests get into the fun as well. You have the option of either dressing for the current century or coming in your best take of fashion from the Elizabethan era.
There is even a vendor that offers costumes to rent for all ages and body sizes. Child costumes range from $8 to $25 with the average price $15; whole adult costumes range from $18 to $65 with the average price $39.You can view options in advance by going to thebelrose.com/ and click on Renaissance Faires for details on how it works.
The entertainment can be racy.
The Faire is open rain or shine. No rain checks or refunds are offered. In the event of severe weather or an emergency the Faire may be closed without notice.
More about the Faire can be found at NorCalRenFaire.com
