Begun in 1963, the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire celebrates its 50th anniversary every weekend from April 7 - May 20 at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale. To learn more, visit renfair.com.
With only three weekends left at the 50th annual Renaissance Pleasure Faire, the fantasy-inspired jubilee is pulling out all the stops to ensure the merriment doth continue.
On Saturday, May 5, mead won't be the only beverage flowing at the interactive festival. The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will be towing in their red beer wagon to participate in The Return of the King. Sure, the 2,000-pound equines weren't associated with the "king of beers" until the brewery's 1933 inception, but when did the fun-filled Renaissance Faire ever let timelines stand in the way of a good party? Part of the charm of this wonderfully offbeat gathering is that it has always been inspired, but never encumbered by history. Orcs mix with kings and queens, pirates with knights and, now, Budweiser will be poured all day alongside falconry demonstrations, choose-your-own-adventure games and an array of musical performances.
If beer isn't your thing, there's always afternoon tea and scones with Queen Elizabeth I (make reservations here), or swing by during the weekend of May 12 and 13 to embark on a five pub wine-tasting tour.
For the closing weekend bacchanal, going down on May 19 and 20, it's back to beer, with regional craft and home brewers letting you sample their finest suds. But it's not just about the booze. Renowned artists will be unveiling all the action they caught on canvas during two weekends of painting at the Faire. And throughout the next three weekends attendees can expect entertainment ranging from jousting tournaments to two-man Shakespeare Companies, as well as a fleet of L.A. food trucks serving everything from bangers and brats to sorbet and espresso
Started by schoolteacher Phyllis Patterson for local children in the backyard of her Laurel Canyon home, The Renaissance Pleasure Faire -- this year dubbed the Golden Jubilee in honor of its 50th anniversary -- takes place in the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale every weekend through May 20. Discount tickets are available at Walgreen's (just don't forget to bring your pouch of gold). For more information, visit RenFair.com.
