PA Renaissance Faire 2009

   Saturday, September 5, 2009: or 1569, where between looking at the quaint-looking buildings and some of the people in 16th-century garb, from nobility to peasants, I felt like I traveled in a time warp as well as a different place. Instead of being in Lancaster County, PA, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at the Mount Hope Winery, 2775 Lebanon Rd., Manheim, PA (717-665-7021), felt more like a town in England in the days of Queen Elizabeth the first. Upon entering, I headed toward the Globe Theatre, and I saw on stage Good Queen Bess herself and her court welcoming everybody to the faire. Afterward, I spent the rest of the day walking through the faire grounds and taking in the sights and sounds of many interesting things. Here, I glanced at shoppes and tents of vendors selling jewellry, costumes, and accessories as well as armour, books, and other goods. Other shoppes, tents, and booths sold food and drinks--both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. (Other than admission and lunch, I didn't buy anything; much later, as I left for the day, I noticed that some people had their hands stamped to return to the faire. At lunch or dinner, they had a picnic near their cars in the parking lot [car park].) Nevertheless, this faire offered much more then vendors. Other areas had rides for children, including an elephant ride, for extra costs, and there was plenty of free entertainment at the different stages and performance areas. Thus, I watched and listened to music, comedy, and dancing as well as demonstrations in archery, jousting, and different crafts in abundance. I also heard more fake-English accents on this day than I ever heard in my life! Overall, I found the PA Renaissance Faire colourful, fun, and educational.