Travel
REN FAIRE ARRIVES!
03.27.12
By Christine Marie
Springtime has arrived yet again and so has the 50th Renaissance Pleasure Faire, which has thankfully moved location from faraway Glen Helen Regional Park to nearby Irwindale’s Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area (15501 East Arrow Highway). Yes, perhaps it is time for a romp into Merry Ole England and the charm of being swept away to another time and place.
With more than 13 stages of dazzling entertainment, this year’s Ren Fair (as regulars call it) includes dazzling entertainment, hearty food, fine spirits, fantastic wares, rollicking musical performances and fun rides and games. The faire also features more than 1,200 costumed performers and artisans including Cirque du Soleil acrobats, internationally-acclaimed musicians and entertainers, juggling jokers, willful wenches and jousting knights.
The faire is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and is open Saturdays and Sundays (Apr. 7 through May 20) from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The cost is $25 (adult single day) $15 (children ages 5-12 single day). Children four and under are free. Admission price includes all entertainment: the joust, four parades, music, dance, interactive living history exhibits, craft demonstrations and the battle pageant. Select lessons, activities and pageants for children are also included. Parking is managed via Los Angeles County and costs $10 is upon entry to the Santa Fe Dam Recreational Area park entrance.
REN FAIRE FOOD
Food and drink at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. Twenty-three different food vendors (some from award-winning chefs!) cook up world cuisines such as fish and chips, turkey legs, Sheppard’s pie, Scotch eggs, crepes and many, many more. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available.
The faire also offers a “pub crawl” twice each day. On the journey, guests visit five “village” pubs for joke-telling time, toasts and drinking games. This year, El Cholo of Pasadena is operating a village bakery and café and are serving the restaurant’s signature green corn tamales along with other fine Mexican cuisine. Wine tastings are being hosted by LA’s popular San Antonio Winery.
FAIRE HOTEL PACKAGES
The 50th Renaissance Pleasure Faire has two hotel packages at The DoubleTree Hilton Hotel Monrovia, including:
Lord Mayor's Package (from $139.00 - $149.00)
- Two Renaissance Faire Tickets (a $50 value)
- Complimentary shuttle service to and from Faire (a $10 value)
- Contemporary European-style room with king bed
- Complimentary wireless high-speed internet access
- Gym access
- Breakfast for two (a $26 value)
- Two Renaissance Faire Tickets (a $50 value)
- Complimentary shuttle service to and from Faire (a $10 value)
- Contemporary European-style room with king bed
- Complimentary wireless high-speed internet access
- Gym access
TEA WITH THE QUEEN
Tea with the Queen is one of the faire’s not-to-be-missed experiences. At 4 p.m. (and for an extra $21 for adults and $10 for children with advanced reservations), you and your family can sit down and indulge in a spot of tea with a quintessential Queen Elizabeth I. The tea service includes:
For Adults
- Two scones (with butter, lemon curd, and jam)
- Tea sandwiches (salmon, egg, cucumber and watercress)
- Mini-tart trio (cherry, lemon, black and white)
- Black tea (hot or iced)
- Commemorative tea pot for each guest to take home
For Children
- One scone (with butter, lemon curd, and jam)
- Tea sandwiches (peanut butter/honey and cream cheese/jam)
- Brownie
- Black tea (hot or iced) or Apple Juice
- Commemorative tea charm for each guest to take home
For more information, visit http://www.renfair.com/socal/
Christine Marie is a writer and artist based in Brea, California.
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