HOLLISTER — Forget about partying like it’s “1999”.
Yes, it’s a reference to the Prince song released on the album of the same name in 1982 that made “Auld Lang Syne” second fiddle across the United States at New Year’s Eve celebrations on Dec. 31, 1999.
If you want the real royal treatment, party like a queen would.
No, not the Queen of Bohemian Rhapsody fame.
Try a queen, as in Queen Elizabeth.
No not Queen Elizabeth II who reigned from 1952 to her death in 2022.
We’re taking the original, Queen Elizabeth I.
She served when medieval England was at its zenith from 1558 to 1603.
And if it was like what is taking place in the woods of Casa da Fruta, Queen Elizabeth I knew how to party.
The current ‘party’ is the 20th annual Northern California Renaissance Faire.
It’s perfectly medieval.
The modern-day birthplace for reviving the renaissance faire from 400 years ago is Los Angeles back in 1963.
The first Comic-Con convention came on the scene in New York a year later.
Both participatory gatherings include a lot of people dressing up and assuming the role of a character.
But when it comes to total immersion, the renaissance faire experience wins hands down.
You can see for yourself every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. by taking Highway 152 over the Pacheco Pass to Casa da Fruta.
The ye old merry woods of Casa de Fruta is the stage.
And it recreates the world the original Shakespearean actors performed during the reign of the first Queen Elizabeth.
It is why the Northern California Renaissance Faire is far from simply being a street fair type event on steroids.
Roaming renaissance era enthusiasts — calling them actors is an understatement of medieval proportions — roam the “woods” staying in character as they do.
It’s usually not hard to pick them out from paying customers that come dressed like it’s 1599 or opt to treat themselves head-to-toe by shedding their 2024 threads for the day by visiting an onsite costume rental tent.
They’ve got the clothes.
They’ve got the lingo.
They’ve got the mannerisms.
It is what makes the Northern California Renaissance Faire a great people watching place.
That said, a visit isn’t just simply an interactive play of sorts.
It is a grand reason to eat, drink and be merry.
After all, the beloved queen is honoring the woods with her royal presence.
Authenticity is the template.
The eight-hour step back in time — should you choose to be the first one in and the last one to leave the “woods” — clearly has more than a few modern-day concessions.
And you don’t have to be in character nor costume to enjoy fine food and drink, jousting tournaments, master artisans, talented stage performers, musical concerts, and fun family activities as you join a colorful cast of characters in the bustling village of Willingtown.
A small army of actors and volunteers transform the ye olde merry woods of Casa de Fruta west of Pacheco Pass into a place of mirth where you can spend an entire day and frolic as commoners and princes as if it were 1599.
The Northern California Renaissance Faire replicates the faire revelry from the reign of the first Queen Elizabeth from 1558 through 1603.
As such, the event lets you experience England’s Golden Age.
It’s when poetry, music and literature blossomed.
The likes of William Shakespeare and many others composed plays that broke free of England’s past style of theatre. It was an age of exploration and expansion abroad.
The Protestant Reformation became more acceptable to the people of England after the Spanish Armada was repelled.
It also was the end of an era when England was a separate realm before forming a royal union with Scotland.
To replicate the feel of that time, the adjoining grounds of the landmark Pacheco Pass fruit stand, restaurant, and kids amusement area has been converted into the 16th century village of Willingtown known as home to one of the finest market faires celebrating the harvest in all of England.
If you’ve never been to a renaissance faire, it is safe to say it is simply Medieval from the jousting tournaments to court jesters right down to the food — well, kind of given this is the 21st century and one must make accommodations for health codes and the Pepsi Generation.
The faire is a feast not only for the stomach but for all of the other senses from sight to hearing and even touching.
Besides roaming entertainment, nine stages of scheduled entertainment, free concerts, period music, and royal spectacles, there are more than 200 vendors offering everything from food and beverages — including adult brews — to games, rides, clothing, art, garlands and accessories, jewelry, perfume and incense, wood, leather, metal, and toys.
There are also those dabbling in the occult and palm readers.
Even if you dismiss such things or give those practicing it high points for being able to read pulses, eye movements and such in response to verbal statements it can be pure entertainment plunking down some cash for a reading, especially when done in the presence of family and friends.
There is a vendor that offers costumes to rent for all ages and body sizes directly ahead of you after entering the faire grounds.
Child costumes range from $8 to $25 with the average price $15; whole adult costumes range from $18 to $65 with the average price $39.
Complete costumes also include a hat, pouch, and belt. They don’t rent weapons. If you have comfortable shoes, boots or sandals that resemble Renaissance attire, bring them. They do offer boots at an additional charge.
You can view options in advance by going to thebelrose.com/ and click on Renaissance Faires for details on how it works.
A warning of sorts: The entertainment can be racy. After all, we’re talking about merry olde England.
There are nine different shows daily offering non-stop entertainment that are included in the admission.
And yes, there is also the Queen’s Royal Joust.
Armed with lances, swords and shields, The World Tournament of Champions Joust Troupe presents jousting, sword fighting, and games of skill for Her Majesty’s pleasure.
The World Tournament of Champions features an experienced and professional team of knights that collectively have been entertaining the masses for decades. Crossing lances is only the beginning of the fun and excitement this group delivers.
Enjoy the Queen’s Tournament of Games at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and watch the knights compete for the title of Champion in a full combat joust.
The grounds are populated with 15 guilds — small armies of people in the dress and character of the day of the different folks of the day circa 1599.
The dining experience worth driving through the countryside on Interstate 5 and Highway 152 to get there is the tea with the queen daily at 4 p.m.
You will dine with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
The menu consists of scones, tea sandwiches, dessert and tea. The cost is $31 per adult and $15 per child. Reservations are strongly suggested. You also get a teapot to take home.
There are workshops in the Past-Times Workshop Garden — both in-depth and shorter dabbler versions — throughout the afternoon for adults, families, and children. They touch on chain mail, archery, blackwork embroidery, making peasant dolls and much more.
There are five ale stands featuring meads, ales, ciders, and specialty drinks. The ale stands also offers draft beers, micro brews, wines, fountain sodas and drinks, and bottled water.
The food selection is epic from turkey legs, meat pies to sweet treats. There are literally hundreds of different offerings from meats, sandwiches, ice cream, cupcakes, biscuits with gravy, coffee, and pizza to gelato and fruit ice to fish and chips.
There are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free foods available.
You will find high quality artisan products in the marketplace from pewter to fiber art and everything in between.
Single day admission is $35 while those 12 and under are free. All entertainment is included in the price of admission. They accept Master Card, Visa, debit cards and cash. There are ATMs throughout the faire.
Parking is a cash only affair that’s $10 per day.
The faire is wheelchair accessible but keep in mind all pathways are dirt. Shoes are required. Service animals are allowed but pets are not. The ADA guidelines that the Northern California Renaissance Faire enforces to determine what a service animal is can be found on their website.
Smoking is only permitted in designated areas. You cannot bring in outside drink or food.
While coming in period costume is encouraged, there is no admission discount for doing so. If your costume includes a weapon they must be sheathed and peace tied. Exposed steel is not permitted. Bows must be unstrung and left at home.
The faire is open rain or shine. No rain checks or refunds are offered. In the event of severe weather or an emergency, the faire may be closed without notice.
More about the renaissance faire can be found at NorCalRenFaire.com.
