Bristol Renaissance Faire

Years ago my mom went to this faire and enjoyed it so much. She's talked about ever since, and was so excited to see opening day for the faire happened before she went back home.

All of the rides, including some really large ones, were human-run, as in pushed by some really strong people.

There was a pirate ship the kids could play on. They could shoot water from this thing here,

sleep like real pirates,

mop the deck,

and dress up like pirates, too.

Everywhere you looked there were cute cottages, and people dressed up. Some of the people were actors, and some were just patrons like us. You can order these costumes online or from catalogs. I would love to do this after we're empty nesters.

Perhaps the best part for Theo besides all the corsetted breasts was this game where he couls toss tomatos at this guy who's job was to insult you. He was very funny, but didn't pick on Theo too bad.

Everywhere you turned there were things to do.

She was perhaps my favorite actress there. She was part of the whorehouse, I think, and she was shouting cruel things to everyone. She's was so cool.

This ride was a little too big for Hunter. All the mommy bones in me were on full alert. He did okay though.

Parades and marchs just sort of occured all around you. Here, the Queen rides in.

This was a "show" going on to demonstrate how the upper class ate. Look at these costumes!



This guy was cool! Dressed in fur & he called me mama.

These were his boots:

Theo may or may not have fallen in love with these gypsies. The whole day he kept saying I needed to get an outfit like the Renaissance women, more with the corset and the tie up front, but when he saw the gypsies dance he said I needed a gypsie outfit instead. LOL!

Even the food was cool & themed. Theo had a giant turkey leg, and my mom and I had a spinach calzone, served with grapes for the kids, with Sassparilla.


My mom may or may not have falleb in love with this guy, as she gripped my arm and told me to take his picture and to try and get his eyes in it. LOL.

A random puppet guy, a street performer.

Overstimulation:

Found this charming garden behind a confection store.

A treasure hunt for Ben before the day was over:

A truly amazing day, but very expensive. I would totally go back, dress up, drink, and play all day! What a cool day! Thanks mom!

The Strawberry Festival!

When my mom was planning her trip she found out one of our favorite towns to visit was having a Strawberry Festival the first Saturday she was here. We couldn't resist going, of course! Despite getting home pretty early in the morning from the concert, we were on our way to the festival first thing in the morning.

A local chocolate shop puts their chocolate covered strawberries in a booth on the street for the fair, but their gourmet apples weren't far from sight. Artwork, I swear!

My mom buys some chocolate covered strawberries.

More artwork.

Deliciousness.

This man demonstrates the art of making kettle corn. i was waiting in line for lunch beside him and had to take a picture. He kept yelling something like a cowboy would say to a horse, it was very entertaining.

There were a zillion vendors there, from candles to painters, soaps to flowers, clothing, homewares, but Theo found this chair guy and was in heaven. He loved this chair! I came home with a bottle of Rosemary Mint essential oil. :)

Cedarburg is loaded with cute little shops like these:

At one point Ben hurt himself, he bit his lip or scratched himself, I don't remember, but Hunter was so concerned! He grabbed his brother and tried to comfort him. Priceless. Hunter's always been such a caretaker, but he was so tender and so worried, it was priceless.

We stopped to tie shoes or something and found ourselves in front of this awesome old stone wall. I took some spontaneous photos, and I love how they turned out. This has to be my favorite picture of my mom ever:

I was not having a great hair day, but that's alright. I had fun.

Theo, of course, always has to make me laugh.

I love this one:

Wish you could have all come with us.

Have a great day everyone!