RENAISSANCE FAIR 2014

 It's that time of year again--time for Ye Olde Renaissance Fair

 When El Rancho de los Golodrinas becomes a buzzing hive of medieval enthusiasts.....

 I've got my costume all ready....

 And as soon as Waymundo completes his transformation into the Count of Monte Cristo....

 We're off to the Rancho for a day of fun and frolic.......

There are Elizabethan wenches prepared with their own finely carved vessel for ale....

 And Ladies-In-Waiting who courtesy to the Highnesses (us)......

 There are winsome fairies.....

 And wise old wizards......

 And marauding hordes of Montoyas....

 There are beautiful belly dancers.....

And magicians who amuse.....

 And giants who amaze    

 There are colorful pirates....

 And gentle dragons.....

 And even a few mythical beasts (photo courtesy of Sisi)

 The Fair is advertised as:  "A Renaissance Fair with a Spanish Flair"! because of the many Spanish entertainers and the surroundings on a colonial Spanish rancho.....

 There are fearsome Gothic princesses.......

 And Moroccan Princesses too--who transform into....

 Spanish Queens.....

 And Royal Infantas.....

 All for the entertainment of the Highnesses....

 There are wicked knaves, stealing kisses.....

 And madrigal singers singing merrie olde tunes.....

 With heartfelt devotion.....

 There are visions of sugar plum princesses....

 With their awesome mamas......

And equally awesome grandmamas (photo courtesy of Sisi)

 
 There are white fairies, and blue fairies.....

 And fairies with "Springtime" masks--I bought the "Winter" mask from the same vendor.......

 There are even faries that use giant bubble nets to blow bubbles to delight all the children........

 Even the Spanish Court is somewhat amused......

 If the bellydances don't put a smile on your face, I don't know what will......

 And then there is Muffet the Magnificient--Queen of all the belly dancers......

 The court of Cielo Azul is definitely amused.......

 The gentle dragon with the gentle knight--Sir Elliott of Gildersleeve.....

 Double Ole!  Music abounds at the fair.....

 Like these lovely singers.....

 And this colorful harpist who rocked out on his kaleidoscopic instrument....

 The queen is highly entertained.....

The count peruses the many wares for sale....

 A beautiful smile from a comely princess....

 Although we did not make it to the lively jousting matches and Celtic games that we saw last year....

We did witness some spirited battles next to the Tavern Tent........(photo courtesy of Sisi)

 And tiny knights victorious over huge giants....

 A Celtic lad teaches archery to a sweet little girl......

 All under the direction of a Spanish Grandee....

 And as the fair progresses into the afternoon with entertainment on a variety of stages....

 And simple rides on a Spanish Galleon....

 The gaiety continues.....

 And the promenade continues--this lovely little steam punker appears to have the tiniest waist in all the land....

 And yet another wizard.....

 This steam punker made her own leather wings......

 Especially lovely royal Santa Fesanos.....

 A Moss Man extraordinaire.........

 I believe this is called a "million dollar" smile--serpent or no serpent......

 Mother and daughter nymphs of fall.....

 The day has been full of gorgeous and gaudy illusions....

And magical encounters.........

And so, "Goodbye" kind dragon who keeps making friends........

 Goodbye little goddess of springtime.....

Goodbye Grand Castle of Ren-Fair 2014.....

BUT A MERRIE, MERRIE, MERRIE TIME HAS BEEN HAD BY ALL!!