This weekend was the annual Gulf Coast Renaissance Fair in Pensacola and after seeing the Jousting Competition last month we knew we wanted to go.
Saturday morning we picked up my Dad and off we went to immerse ourselves in all things Medieval.
The first thing we saw as we entered the gate was this man, balancing on a board over small barrels, a ball spinning on his head, juggling with one hand and spinning a rope with the other.
We're talking serious multi-tasking here.
The next people to come on stage were sword swallowers. They showed their swords off to the crowd so we could see that they were indeed real steel and not something that would curl up in their mouth or retract into the hilt.
The woman pointed out that once she's swallowed the sword the hilt will start to turn. That's because the sword is resting directly behind her heart and her heart beat causes the sword to move.
The man with her swallowed three swords at once.
I still can't decide if I think the whole thing is fascinating or just plain repulsive.
After watching their show we wandered out onto the midway and from there every where we looked there was something interesting to see.
A Fairy with her snake.
A giant wizard.
I don't know what this is but it was definitely creepy.
This tree man was very cool and the Youngest immediately ran up to have his picture taken with him.
Can you see the man's face at the top? Very strange.
There were belly dancers.
The King and Queen were there.
And then Captain Jack Sparrow and his wenches came strolling by.
And stopped to have a piece of cake with the King.
The Island Girl spotted him and immediately wanted her picture taken with him.
It was amazing how much this man looked like Johnny Depp and he had Captain Jack Sparrow's mannerisms down pat.
The Youngest Island Boy volunteered to helped reenact Hamlet.
It would have been nice to know that they were going to smear fake blood all over his face and hands - and then not have anything to clean him up with.
But he had fun and that's what counts.
There were so many other things that we saw and did but to keep from having a record long post I'll break this up and tell you the rest tomorrow.
For now all I can say is that if you ever get a chance to experience a Renaissance festival go for it. They are fascinating!Labels: Done
