Central Coast Renaissance Festival Returns

Central Coast Renaissance Festival Returns

On July 17 and 18, El Chorro Regional Park will be transformed into an Elizabethan-era village at the 26th Annual Central Coast Renaissance Festival. The park is located off Highway 1, between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay.

Festival spokesman Rick Smith says, "The public is invited to join us as over 800 costumed vendors, actors and historical re-enactors come from all over California to create an English village during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Once inside, you can forget the cares of this world and take a trip back in time. The village comes alive as groups portraying Irish, Scots, English military, woodworkers, peasants, middle class, musicians and the Queen's Court set up camp and give living history demonstrations."

"This is a family event," says vendor coordinator Justin LeCavalier. "Our visitors will find games for all ages, and they can try their hand at skills like fencing and archery. We have pony rides, face painting and a petting zoo for children." According to LeCavalier, over 70 vendors offer everything from swords to complete costumes, hats, leather goods, jewelry, pottery, wooden toys; basically anything that looks like it could have existed around the year 1585.

"We have The Merry Wives of Windsor (with a twist), music, comedy and dance shows, juggling and much more on two stages," according to entertainment coordinator Trey Cromwell. "There is an Irish storyteller, strolling musicians, peasants, merchants, rogues, street characters and lots of improvisation," he adds. "The highlight of the day for many people is the full contact joust. This is the real thing, and it is held twice daily by The Knights of Mayhem, an international award-winning jousting company."

LeCavalier says that visitors will find a wide variety of food and drink, including the requisite turkey legs and vegetarian options. He adds that teas, juices, beer, ale, wine and handmade honey mead are available.

Smith says that the Renaissance period in England is a popular theme for re-enactment festivals. "This was a special time in history. It was a period of re-awakening of art, science and culture. People were discovering the New World and you had characters like William Shakespeare, Sir Francis Drake, Sir Walter Raleigh, Queen Elizabeth, explorers from Spain and Holland, French courtiers ... there is so much material to work with, and the clothing was amazing." Smith says that guests are welcome to wear costumes but that "they are definitely not required." For costume ideas he refers people to the festival's photo galleries at http://ccrenfaire.com/photos.html.

Smith concludes, "You can spend the entire day enjoying live entertainment, the joust, delicious food, unique shopping and amazing people-watching. It is right here in our own community so you don't have to drive far. There is nothing else like it." Smith adds that the Renaissance Festival is produced by History Revisited, a non-profit organization based in Morro Bay.

Hours are 10 AM - 6 PM on Saturday and until 5 PM on Sunday. Adult tickets are $17, seniors and ages 6-15 are $10. Advance ticket sales and discount coupons are available online. Under age 6 are free. Parking at Cuesta College is $1.00 per car. Pets are not allowed.

Visit www.CCRenFaire.com for more information.