Where else can you find comedic swashbucklers, dregs, rovers, villains and wenches within an hour from downtown Chicago?
The Bristol Renaissance Faire, of course, where it’s 1599 every weekend. Wonder how the historical half lived? The Faire combines entertainment on 20 stages, jousting, royalty, arts and crafts, food and fine spirits, music, dance, parades and games in the streets all day long.
“The immersion is by far what drives people here,” said Julie McMillin, webmaster and social media director. “We have 500 people in costumes using period utensils. It’s not a show, it’s a theatrical recreation of competitive jousting. You don’t know who will win.
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“You get a hands-on experience of history through all the senses. You can touch and taste and get hands on with everything. You learn why these techniques are so relevant, how shoes and swords are made. It’s a way to make it more than just names in a book. More than names are how people lived.”
Renaissance Faire characters improvise with guidelines but no scripts. “We encourage cast members, who are off portraying so many different walks of life — like Italian immigrants who just landed to town militia to the queen’s court — we can’t tell them what to say or do,” said McMillin, who herself was one of those characters back in college and met her husband at the Renaissance Faire.
The faire is open weekends only because many of the characters are volunteers who have day jobs and play alongside guests every weekend.
David Woolley, one-half of the comedy swashbuckling team of Dirk and Guido, the Swordsmen, starts his 29th season this summer. “Guido Crescendo” and performing partner Douglas Mumaw, who goes by “Dirk Perfect,” are continually training and writing with a month of rehearsals before opening weekend.
Their main show on the big stage in the art of dueling has evolved into a show in “how to train men to swagger about the shire and have a grand time,” said Woolley, who teaches combat stage performance at Columbia College.
Their new swordfight adds a third sword for the two men. “We try not to get hurt. We’ve learned the skill and try not to get hurt and break stuff. We’re all healthy and no one is dead.”
Woolley calls the Renaissance Faire “a delightful thing, it is awesome family entertainment.” He adds that many times fans have come up to him holding a baby photo of themselves in Guido Crescendo’s arms. “And now I’m holding their babies, it’s a multigenerational show! It’s been a delight to watch our characters grow,” he said with a deep laugh designed to project to the cheap seats.
But Woolley says fans also don’t want their shows to change. “They want us to do what they told their friends they came with that they would see. On the other hand, when you see people doing your lines, it’s time to shake it up.”
Woolley said the best part of his job is “to be polite and nice to people and put smiles on their faces, encourage them to be kind, smooch their girl and take care of themselves. Have fun and leave their troubles outside the gate.”
The 31st season heralds special events all nine weekends:
Lord Mayor Arthur Trewillinger Brimm and his sister Hattie open the gates on the 2018 season on July 7 and 8.
Swashbuckler Weekend is July 14 and 15, when visitors can “hoist the mainsails and dress as your inner pirate,” according to the website.
Marketplace Bonus Ticket Weekend on July 21 and 22 offers the wares of more than 175 merchants and artisans, and $250 in daily receipts earns two free return tickets any day this season.
RENNCON on July 28 and 29 celebrates cosplay in the biggest costume party in Wisconsin. According to the website: “Whether you draw your inspiration from the sci-fi scene, anime, comics, television, fairy tales or anywhere else, we invite you to mingle with our 16th century townsfolk.” The weekend includes a masquerade costume contests for adults and kids, a concert and cosplay photo meetups.
New this year is a Monsters and Magic weekend Aug. 4 and 5, with details to follow on the web site.
Steampunk Invasion hits Aug. 11 and 12 and time-traveling attire is encouraged, no matter which century is portrayed. This weekend brings the return of the Absinthe Bar and a visit from the Green Fairy. Costume contests with prizes for the top three will be announced. Saturday and the Marvelous Steampunk Accessory Contest for epic accessories takes place Sunday.
New this year is a Heroes and Villains weekend Aug. 18 and 19, with details to come on the website.
Salute to Military and Scouts Weekend is Aug. 25 and 26. Military, police, fire and emergency personnel receive a special discount with ID and any Scout and leaders in uniform receive a discount for their whole party. Scouts can complete a weekend passport to buy a special patch.
Closing weekend is Sept. 1 to 3.
Ongoing events include:
Bristol RenQuest is an interactive theatrical gaming experience that allows players to complete quests, hone skills and defeat villains. “We make our guests main characters in our game,” McMillin said. “It’s the ability for people to play the good or bad buy, to be the hero or the villain.” Game play is $10 per day or $95 for a season pass.
Bristol Pub Crawl tours taverns and public houses and pours four alcoholic drinks, one at each pub. Guests can join the pub crawl crew and the party is $45.
Kids Quest lets the youngest guests choose a side in the divided Kids’ Kingdom and decide which princess should rule.
The Queen’s College teaches lost arts such as maille, blackwork stitching, brass running, basket and textile weaving, candle making and calligraphy, to name a few. Classes and demonstrations run throughout the weekend.
The Renaissance Faire trumpets a theme this year: Celebrating kindness.
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“Recent events in the modern world have inspired us to adopt this by creating different atmospheres and places away from modern worries,” she said. “When you step through those gates you’re 500 years (in the past) on another continent. Yes, it’s chivalry but also to welcome everyone.
“We have a place to feel safe and have fun by stepping 500 years into the past. We hope we give people hope. The Renaissance was a rebellion and a refocus on putting humanity back into things. It’s history repeated.”
Bristol Renaissance Faire
Where: 12550 120th Ave., Kenosha, Wis.
Dates: Runs every weekend from July 7 to Sept. 3
Tickets: Adults are $25.95. Children ages 2-12 are $11.50. Children 4 and younger are free.
Information: 847-395-7773; www.renfair.com/bristol
Shonda Talerico Dudlicek is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.