Ye Auld Renfaire 2011

Every year we go to the Renaissance Faire in Irwindale, CA. The last few years, it’s been held at the Santa Fe Dam. Here’s a glimpse at earlier years. Here too.

This Spring, Rock Steady has quite the full calendar. We knew we wanted to make sure that we attended but weren’t sure which weekend would work out best. As we woke up on Sunday morning, we realized that this was opening weekend so we took the day off as a family for a journey into earlier times.

The food is always the highlight. Of course. Strawberry crepes, scones and cream, steak on a stake, steak sandwiches, roasted corn, mango and coconut fruit ice, english toffee and peanut carmel apple slices… our bellies were happy campers.

A few years ago, Mr B, JT and myself dressed up in faire wear. This year, since only HeaBug and myself seemed game at the last minute, I decided to tribute the traditional garb by pairing my top and corset with jeggings and cowboy boots. HeaBug has a favorite purple velvet tutu dress that she loves wearing so we put a turtle neck underneath and tights on and we had ourself a fairy!

Annually, we buy handmade head wreaths of dried flowers and ribbon. HeaBug got her first one this year and she wore it all day.

JT has had better years at the fair and this year was in a Six Year Old Grump Slump. We’re looking forward to the experience again when he’s seven. Haha.

Huzzah! Such a way to spend such a "faire" day!

I think in the last 10 years we've only missed one year at the faire. The Southern California Renaissance Faire comes every spring from April to May. It's open each Saturday and Sunday from 10-7 and it's AMAZING fun! It's stepping back through time where you're greeted with "Good Morrows" and thanked with "Grammercies". Leave a dollar in any vendors basket and they'll go mad yelling "Hazzaar to the generous giver!!" Lots of people dress up, we even did a few years ago (see below).

There are actors roaming that have assumed roles as nobles or common folk. There's undoubtedly a Spartan or two (not hired... just regular Joes) casually hanging out ready to pose for pictures with anyone who asks. Last year we ran into a guy in his Star Trek uniform who had obviously just beamed in for the day (Bri had to take a picture with him).

Renn Faire '09

The food is one of the BEST parts!! Banana chocolate crepes and cream puffs were a delicious breakfast and the rest of the day followed suit with steak on a stake, broccoli cheddar and clam chowder in bread bowls, coconut sorbet in a coconut shell, apple slices with caramel and graham crackers, root beer floats, steamed artichoke, curly fries and topping the day off was Sin on a Stick... which roughly translated is Frozen Chocolate Covered Cheesecake on a stick ;)


We strolled around, not minding the dust or the half naked folks that the faire tends to attract. First stop is always at Greenman Florals for head wreaths. He makes over a thousand each year and we've accumulated quite the collection. We got smiles and waves from "Queen Elizabeth" and a brief history lesson from her governess Lady Katherine Ashby. Both kids enjoyed the parades of the queen's court.


We played in the bubble yard and swung on a GIANT swing! Hea Baby finally napped while we watched the subtle and not so subtle jokes and tricks of Broon. JT and Auntie Nini got their archery on and JT wisely chose to spend his money on a mahogany wand (since he's been cut off from buying weapons).

I perused all the different costume shops trying as best as I can to get ideas for sewing new costumes for JT and Mr B... maybe even a new dress for me and something cute for Hea Baby. I've got ambitious intentions for this sewing machine ;) we'll see how that translates into reality.



Always a good time, the Renn Faire is the place to be if you're cool. haha, but really, you should go.

Mother's Day at the Faire

Today was SUCH a wonderful Mother's day! After a yummy breakfast and gifts (Jack helped Daddy pick out a beautiful charm bracelet for Mom) we headed to the Renaissance Faire! The day was warm but there was a really nice breeze, the food was delicious, the company was grand and all mama's in attendance were very happy!

We had a nice size group, Robert, Jack, Nohea and I were there with my mom (Liz), Brina, and Mara. Chris (Robert's brother) came up with us and we met Kate (Robert and Chris's Mom), Ron, and Amber. It was nice for Kate to have both of her boys!

We ate Roasted Corn, Turkey Legs, Broccoli Cheese soup in a bread bowl, Steak on a Stake, Curly Fries, Strawberry and Cream Scones, Cream Puffs, Steak Sandwich, and of course... Sin on a Stick (frozen chocolate covered cheesecake on a stick!). We did a lot of walking and people watching. Robert and Jack threw axes and shot cross bows.

Jack, Brina and Mara took fencing lessons.

Chris tossed a few javelins.
Jack threw darts with Maga (that's what he calls my mom) and she bought him a small wooden "peter pan" sword,
and Daddy bought him an axe!

(As if he needs any more weapons LOL).

Maga and Mara rode on the maypole carousel and got nice and dizzy. Brina and Mara jumped in on a random game of tug-o-war and their side won! Our little Crickett, Nohea, rode around in the sling for most of the day just watching EVERYTHING that was going on.

Gramma K and Papa Ron (Kate and Ron) took Jack to see the jousting horses
with Auntie Amber.

As the day wound down, we decided to watch a show that we like to see every year at the faire... the Washing Well Wenches. Wouldn't you know it they called Robert up to volunteer! He Hates getting up in front of everyone like that but it was hilarious watching the girls involve him in their comedy show. He was such a good sport about it and even took a picture with them afterwards. My mom got the biggest kick out of them all calling him Bubba ;)

We had a fantastic Mother's day together as a family and want to wish all of the beautiful Mothers that we know a wonderful Mother's Day as well. You are amazing, the way that you love your children and we want you to know how truly special you are. We love our moms!

"God could not be everywhere, so he created Mothers" -Jewish Proverb.