Flashing Back to 16th-Century Medieval Adventure

Oct. 25, 2009— -- Centuries ago, kings and queens ruled. It was a time when knights slayed dragons, and fair maidens welcomed their gallant men home.

But those days are long gone ... except on the weekends at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. The fair is held on the 35-acre Mount Hope Estate and Winery built by the Grubb family, which started an iron ore mining company in Lancaster County.

Every weekend, beginning in early August, the fair holds 90 shows that are performed on 13 outside stages. When the gates open around 11 a.m., fair patrons enter the medieval times of 1569, a world full of "thees" and "thous," overrun by swashbuckling pirate and wine wenches, sword swallowers and fire eaters, and of course, pickles on a stick.

Walking down the pathway of the estate, lively characters ask the patrons to take part in their all-day play. Merchants sell hand-crafted products and give live demonstrations such as blacksmiths making swords, stained glass window displays and historical glass blowing.

Pickles on a stick are one example of the tasty variety of 16th-century foods offered at the 22 Royal Kitchens. The parenfaire.com Web site invites patrons to "Enjoy giant roasted turkey legs, steak-on-a-stake, fish-n-chips, scotch eggs and soup served in bread boules. Feast upon gourmet cookies and brownies, freshly baked pastries, heaping scoops of Italian gelato and more."

The 90 shows include musical performances, daredeviling acrobatics and archery shows. The entertainment lineup also includes the highly anticipated Human Chess that is played on a 40-by-40-foot chessboard. A patron favorite, the Ultimate joust, played on the largest joust area in North America, is filled with horsemen battling, lances shattering and knights vying for the hearts of fair ladies.

People of all ages and from all walks of life come to enjoy the flair of 1569. Some people like it so much they come multiple times during the renaissance fair run and even dress up as medieval characters.

"We come to the shire because we love it, it's a great getaway. We love our history. We bring our history and teach them history in a fun way," said a female patron dressed up as a wine wench who was visiting from Ireland.

Many others, such as Steven Hager and Eileen Dobbs, are also returning patrons.

"I came and visited here and I really liked it, and I wanted to know how it worked and how it operated, so I saw in the program you could try out and audition so I thought why not ... and they took me," said Hager, who came to the renaissance fair with no acting experience.

Fair Patrons Become Part of Cast

Eileen Dobbs took part in the festivities a few years ago. She also wanted to take on a character, and has quickly worked her way up the acting ranks of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire.

"I actually attended the Renaissance Faire for the first time in 2004," she said. "About three days out of the season, I came and thought I could do that. So I auditioned and I've been with the fair for about five seasons now. I went from peasant to a wine wench to a lady-in-waiting in three years."

Although acting is not either of their full-time gigs -- Hager is an analytical chemist at a drug company, and Daub a marine biologist -- they say staying in character for 12 hours is not a difficult feat.

"It's quite easy once you're in costume. ... Once I have my shovel I'm in character. I'm Rip," said Hager, who has the role of a grave digger during the fair.

Dobbs says the 60-page study guide given out helps her stay in character.

"We go over culture, dialect, language, history," she said. "We get a background of everything. It doesn't matter who comes up to us."

It is encouraged for fair-goers to attend the Renaissance Faire over and over again. Throughout the season the fair offers special-themed weekends, including Chivalry and Romance weekend, Invasion of the Pyrates weekend, and new for 2009, Heroes of the Realm weekend "in honor of all heroes and knights, both past and present, who dedicate their lives to helping and protecting others."

Marketing director Barbara Lacek said, "It's a fabulous release from modern-day people. Everybody needs a rest bit from all the pressure. We are unsurpassed in being able to help people do that."

The 2009 Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire ends Nov. 1.