The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is an annual tradition for many, where Renaissance enthusiasts of all kinds dress up and arrive at Mount Hope Estate and Winery for some old-fashioned fun. The Renaissance Faire takes up residence at the estate every year from August to October, and I made my way there on one of the last weekends it was running.

My girlfriend Brena and I met a group of her friends there; it was my first time going, but all of them had been the year before. Of course we all dressed up in our best historical or nerdy costumes — it’s pretty much all “faire” game. I purchased a Renaissance-style dress last minute, and my girlfriend reused her outfit from the previous year, complete with a corset and a walking stick.

We enjoyed wandering the fairgrounds and seeing the creative costumes and general enthusiasm of the crowd. It was a place that was free of judgment where you could look as silly as you wanted and likely wouldn’t get a second glance. A good number of people bring their dogs, which is a huge draw for dog lovers like myself and Brena, and we pet as many as possible.

Unfortunately, we missed a lot of the performances and events because we spent so much of our time in lines for food or the ATM. (A tip I wish someone had told me is to bring cash! Most of the food vendors do not accept cards) It was also a chilly day, and we were not dressed appropriately for the weather … hot chocolate was much needed, and even with that I was shivering for most of the day. I’m hoping next year we’ll pick a sunnier weekend and come a bit more prepared.

Despite not getting to everything we wanted to get to and leaving before the big joust, it was worth it just experiencing the general merriment and taking advantage of the shopping opportunities. There were so many artisans and vendors selling all sorts of unique, handcrafted items, and I did some early holiday shopping as well as getting a few things for myself. I got some handmade candles, a claddagh ring and some cute pins. Brena got handmade soap, a few rings and some cute little mouse figurines. The opportunities for buying whimsical little goodies were truly unparalleled.

If you get a chance, I highly recommend checking out a Renaissance Faire if it comes your way! It’s a great way to spend a Saturday, and I look forward to returning next year and getting to take advantage of some of the things I missed out on this year.

— Hannah Gruen, administrative coordinator