Photo-A-Day 2.0 #00245
We have been guests of the Realm the past seven years. This means that we receive free passes to enter the Faire. Many of those years we attend the opening weekend of King Richard’s Faire and on few occasions we attend Columbus Day weekend. We do this because of my work and sleep schedule. Those Monday trips to King Richard’s Faire are pretty much the only ones we can do as a family unless I take some nights off work. Luckily we’ve been able to go on Labor Day weekend for the past couple of years and that has really worked out. School has just begun and our last big event together before our schedules get crazy is King Richard’s Faire. We have a wonderful time every year and we love seeing all of our old friends. Friends like Piers Pickles the Purveyor of Pickles. I was looking back at our photos because Google Photos recognizes faces and as I look back on the many years we have visited our pickle pal I came across this photo below.
This was taken five years ago and man it is adorable. A photo of the kids with Piers is one of the things I try very hard to make sure we do. It doesn’t always happen but when it does it is magical. The kid simply love him. They also love his lovely wife Snow White. Eva chats with the princesses each year and shows them her costume. Now, for many years Eva has worn a princess dress. Now she is making her own costumes and her own character. This year she is Zoe Crystalis, a warrior elf. She still chatted with snow who is always super gracious and wonderful with the kids.
This year was a little different than past years because we attended with our friends. We were with Eva’s best friend Maryana and her parents along with her cousin. Maryana had not been since she was a very small. We wanted to make sure that she was able to see what she wanted to see and also show her the acts that we enjoy each year. We try and see the new acts but our old favorites are can’t miss. However, this was the first year since we’ve had kids that we’ve gone to the big cats show. Maybe not, I think we took Eva but when Andrew came along he was just too tempting a morsel to bring to the show, that and he’s twitchy. So, this was Andrew’s first time at the Big Cats show and he loved it. He loves animals and when the show as over he went up to close to the stage to see the lion cub. I’m not sure if he asked any questions, I was a little ways back from him, he wanted to take photos with the camera. He tried but was still a but short to get many. So I snapped this one.
So we saw the big cat show and it was great, they had some beautiful animals come out on stage. We also watched part of the joust which is exciting. This year there was a female jouster and that was a cool new element to the show. It was great for Eva to see that a woman was out there competing with the men.
This was the first year that we got photos with the giant monster. The kids actually stood with him, and he talks. He’s got a great monster voice and is very funny, too!
We liked him so much we took a family selfie with him.
The kids had a great time. We watched Jacques Ze Whippeur on the Cottage Stage first. He is always entertaining. While that was going on I walked around and did a little livestream of the area. I walked around and talked with some people like the Washing Well Wenches. We have not seen with show with the kids before. Maybe next year. I also went and visited with Piers. Here is my video.
After Jacques there was a new performer. He is a storyteller and we really liked his story but that might be a tough sell for the start of the day. He might do better for later in the day when the real little ones are a bit tired and need a reset. You know what I mean, they’ve had food and jousting and so many other things stimulating them that they just need something more slowed down. Don’t get me wrong, Sir Guy of Warwick is a fantastic storyteller. I loved him. I was even asked to be part of the show and had to sing. Not my strongest talent. It was just tough seeing not many people at the show.
This year felt like the day didn’t have as many people as past years. While that was good for us getting around it didn’t make for big crowds at the shows and when the audience is engaged in the shows they are so much more exciting!
One of our favorite, can’t miss acts are The Mis-Adventurers. While we have seen them so many times and sometimes we’ve caught the show twice on a trip, we still love coming back. These folks are wonderful and their Combat Comedy Crusade, To Find The Hero Within which is on the Hell’s Mouth Stage is always a delight. This year Andrew was able to participate and so did Maryana.
There was one act that we somehow missed and I think it would have been fantastic to see. That was the Accidental Acrobats Acrobatics, Comedy & Tomfoolery. Piers told me about them and we just lost track of time. There are so many acts to see. We could not miss the big musical production that they have every year. This is a spectacular show that you have to go and see. There are two acts to it. All the main citizens of the realm are in it like King Richards, Hey-O the Jester and Snow White to name a few. This year the show was called Back to the Fairy Tale Woods and it takes place on the King’s Stage. I love how clever the parody songs are in these shows and a few years ago they did Hamilton before I even had that on my radar. It takes a lot of hard work to put that show on and it shows.
after the second act of the show Maryana and her family left. But before they did her dad wanted to do a few of the games. We don’t often do the games because we save the cash for giving tips to the performers. Bring money to tip the performers after the shows. This supports what they do. So we don’t spend money on the games or rides, there is just so many other things to do that are included with the price of admission. But this year we let teh kids do some archery. This was the activity that they loved most at their camp this Summer and we figured that we’ve let them had a go.
After Maryana and her family left we went over to the forge because Eva was interested to see a sword get made. They weren’t making a sword at the time but she did get to check out all the weapons. I’m not sure when she will be asking for an Anvil to make her own sword in the future but I will not rule out the possibility. We did walk into a leather shop and the woman inside helped Eva try on a little half vest. She was so patient and helped Eva with questions about her cosplay and that vest really made things look great with her costume. Then she told us the price. I think she saw men physically gulp a ton of air in when she told us. I had to politely tell her that we could not buy it and she was so gracious. She understood and told us that it was the end of the day and she just enjoyed helping Eva talk about her costume. I was grateful that she did not make me feel like we wasted her time because that is how I felt myself. But, it was another special Faire experience that we had that we will remember and the next time we go back to that shop we will be ready and will probably buy something because of that kindness.
This year there is a new King Richard and he is spectacular. I really enjoyed him. We met him right when we entered. We always stick around and the entrance and meet with the performers before we go anywhere. When King Richard met Andrew he really interacted with him above and beyond. Andrew’s costume is that of JEFF the warrior Giant. While JEFF does not exactly strike fear into the hearts of men the way Andrew says it is hilarious. King Richard’s reaction was priceless. And it made Andrew feel the size of a giant. That is something that made the day so special.
It was another wonderful trip to the realm. We saw fine acts, had fun experiences and got to do some amazing things. We are so grateful for being able to attend each year. The Faire is happening each weekend until Columbus Day weekend. I do encourage you to go. If you do then here are some additional tips.
1. No outside food or beverage is allowed unless cleared by our office first (508-866-5391) but you can bring an EMPTY water bottle to fill from our water bubbler.
2. We DO have gluten-free, vegan and lactose-free menu selections listed on the website here: https://kingrichardsfaire.net/eat-and-drynk/.
3. Carvershire is in the woods… we have bees, tree roots, hot and cold weather, and even rain to contend with. And porto-pottys. Dress and plan accordingly.
4. We are open unless safety is compromised; we then make announcements on our FB page as soon as the decision is made.
5. All costumes are welcome and appreciated… you can rent costumes for all ages and sizes right inside the front gate at Seams Like A Dream! Costumed guests are the majority, not the minority… HINT: this is a “Fantasy Faire” not a medieval re-enactment like Plimouth Plantation…anything goes! We see it all… from Monty Python, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, DC/Marvel superheroes, and all kinds of cosplay… we are more of a comic con than a re-enactment!
6. Box office and food tickets are cash only but most artisans accept Lady Visa and Master Card and AMEX.
7. The woods have no wifi (big site, not enough signal) so you are on your data plan, unfortunately. Plan accordingly – it’s better near the entrance and at the joust. Bring a battery – charging is for the brave knights on horseback, not our guests’ phones.
– Special contests and events: Every Saturday (and some Sundays) we have awesome and free special themed events on the King’s Stage – something for everyone. From Harry Potter to Game of Thrones and a new Vikings Tug O War game… fandoms unite! https://kingrichardsfaire.net/weekend-events/