Renaissance Festival Arrives in Wentzville
A glance to your right shows you a queen, king, gypsy, and a fairy. Merchants voices shout above the noise offerings their wares of flowers, chain mail, glassworks and pottery. Brightly coloured and elaborate outfits surround you and the sound of music can be heard in every direction. For some this scene could only be one from a dream or a movie of the distant past, but to a small community of people, it’s their everyday reality. Some will recognize this scene as that of a Renaissance Faire.
The Renaissance Faire has been happening in cities all over the country since the early 60’s. It’s a few weekends where a portion of a park steps back in time and becomes a magical and medieval realm where patrons can go to enjoy a taste of fantasy. The Renaissance Festival in Saint Louis celebrated their 18 year anniversary this year and is held every year in Rotary Park. It was moved from the spring to the fall this year and will run weekends from September 17th through October 16th. It boasts many attractions including numerous stages with acts ranging for fire dancing to musical comedy in the form of singing pirate bands. It has it’s own barrage of gypsies, fairies, kings, queens, knights and more. “It’s a whole new world” said Hollyn St, Clair (17’)
Many students and faculty from Holt participate in, or visit, the faire each year. Some get jobs as part of cast, which is the term for people who play period accurate characters around the faire. One such person is Dominic Stringer (18’) who says “It’s a cool, unique, beautiful place. (…) I’d absolutely go again”. Faire is not always fun and games for its employees, it is hard work. Josh Nevin (18’) also spent time working at the faire in the forge. He remarked on a less than opportune moment at the faire, saying, “(once) I had to work the forge all day in the hard pouring rain”. But it’s all for a good cause because the patron who come almost unanimously enjoy themselves. German teacher Mrs. Elder, says her favorite part of faire is “entertaining the patrons through (…) games of chance or demonstrating our wall of weapons (in the German guild)” No matter where you turn, it’s certain that there is no shortage of beauty and entertainment at a faire.
