Grab a turkey leg and a meat pie at the 18th annual Renaissance Festival in Las Vegas. The Age of Chivalry is a Las Vegas tradition organized by Clark County Parks and Recreation. Get in your Renaissance Festival garb or wait to buy your fashion there from more than 100 artisans and vendors. Go back in time and be entertained by dancers, singers, juggles, and jousters. Mostly anything goes at the festival. Guests wear fairy, tree, and troll costumes. Most authentic goers however wear Elizabethan era clothes, which include all things pirate. Bellydancing is very popular at this event, so traditional Middle Eastern garb is also appropriate. Think coin belts, vests and gypsy wear.
The best way to enjoy the festival is to purchase the three day passes online and go every day to experience everything. Each day collect more "unmundane" clothes and trinkets to wear. Mundane is what regular festival goers call the uncostumed. So kick off the flip-flops and don't be mundane. The vendors add to the atmosphere with their perfect Irish, Scottish and English accents. Be sure to add money to their tips jars when you see them and you'll be rewarded with a "Hazzah to the Tipper" from the crowd.
The main stage features Celtic rock and folk rock bands that are fun to listen to and even better to dance to. You can enjoy the black powder demonstrations no matter where you are in the park. You'll hear the booms even over the bands. Many performances return year after year, including a trained parrot show, a blacksmith demonstration, jousting on horses and bellydancing.
Even if you skip the entertainment, do not miss the food. The meat pies are excellent. The turkey legs are large enough for three people to share and the roasted nuts will make your mouth water. Professional Renaissance Festival goers, that is, people who are paid to be there, also offer authentic meals. If you get invited to visit one of their encampments, take it up. That is where the real festival magic happens. These entertainers live this life for most of the year and are very well schooled in the era, clothes and customs of the time period and people they represent. Plus, the encampment after-parties are an event themselves.
This event, held the same time every year has seen a variety of weather. Bring sunscreen and a coat. An umbrella for the rain and a parasol for the sun isn't a bad idea either. It’s October in Vegas who knows what the weather will be.
Do note that this year the event will be taking place at a new, but temporary, location while Sunset Park is revamped. This year it will be at the Sam Boyd Park, on East Russell Road. For more information visit http://www.lvrenfair.com.
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