The standards are still there but not as much when I first saw in 2007-08. It's seems these events get smaller every year. I like the glass blowing demonstration but they weren't there that day.
Video was taken before noon. Later in the afternoon the place was packed including the food trucks area. Flamenco dancer seems out of place. Steam punk always there what ya expect. Just go there and take photos and enter them in the contest and win.
I've been working Faire each day, all day these past few weeks and the crowds are great, though sporadic - tons of people this past weekend. You do have revelers getting out of hand sometimes, which is the case for any open festival, though I do apologize to Ms. Rachel for her experience. The food trucks are a point of contention, the flamenco dancers are a bit contemporary, and steampunk & fae folk are part of the fantasy aspect. Also, there are VERY high standards among the participant family.
I always wondered what people looked like back in the real Renaissance days. The reenactors in this faire seem to be well fed showing no shortage of food supply.
I've heard that the diminishing audience caused the company to hire the pirates and the large Middle Eastern contingent, while holding the regulars to standards of authenticity. It looked to me the last time I was there that it was just an excuse for a drunken masquerade. 5 O'clock near the beer stand at Friends of Fair was just ridiculous and no place for a family! If you like good glass-blowing, try the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival.
Piracy's been around since the 14th century BC, so there's no reason why it is not period and there was plenty of interest in Islamic philosophy & culture during the Renaissance in France & England; though yes, the accordion was not developed until the late 1700s. The crafts are excellent & we have Queen's College workshops every day that show you how to make many of them as well. You have everything fine: clothiers, bone pins, wooden staves, leather workers, mask-makers, garlands, pottery, etc.
The food trucks were epic fail. Never had more than a couple of customers at any moment, and were usually completely unpatronized. Maybe they'll think twice before trying this again. Now, if they can just talk Circa Paleo into toning down their presentation (hint: doublets do not make you an Elizabethan) (hint: when you are drowning out parades with drums you are too loud)...
What's happened to the Faire? They used to have standards, didn't they? Pirates? An accordion? All the Middle Eastern stuff isn't right either. I guess they figure that no one will notice.or care. Are the crafts good? There used to be some good leather workers...
The costumes worn by the Ren Faire "pirates" are about 150 years out of date. There was no Muslim presence in Renaissance England at all. I have played the Faire in the past and they were very finicky about my costume. The double standard is what irks me. I had to jump through hoops for my costume, but The Hot Violinist wears a costume like Jasmine from "Aladdin," and all's well. The standards have just gone by the wayside.
