At 19, I ran away to join the circus. Well, in a way. Let me explain.
The year prior, my senior year in high school, 3 of us made the 2.5-hour drive from our small, provincial hometown to don our costumes from that year's production of Camelot and traipse around the Renaissance Pleasure Faire. All of us were choir members, dabbled in acting and dancing, so we were expecting a fun dip into historical reenactment and loads of shows. A last hurrah together before graduation and college pulled us into new lives.
This was the early 90s; we were young and optimistic about the world, and the world was having big optimistic conversations that we were just beginning to listen to. Attending the Faire was a way to dip our very shy toes into some of those ideas and wear a fancy dress around strangers. That visit was largely a blur; we sang a short A Capella set to ourselves as we walked around, ate the obligatory turkey leg, got swept along with the crowd as jesters and fencers and random street performers paraded through the roads. So many parades.
My penchant for Morris dancing is real
There was one moment near the end of the day that sticks with me so clearly. I watched a group of women spontaneously dance in a circle around a pile of about 20 people having a nap against haybales and each other, and I thought," this is their job? They get paid to do this?? I want to do this!" I had no idea how to go about that (the internet was not a thing yet) so I just figured it would never be a reality.
The following year, another friend of mine met some women in her sociology class that were in a guild that performed at the independent Faires around the state. They asked her to join them and being an amazing friend, she asked me. I've never looked back.
Your humble author
In the 30 years since then, I've learned so much about myself, gained a confidence that I thought was impossible, and made some of the best friends of my life. I truly believe that so many people can benefit from attending an immersive event like this. Wearing a garland and eating a turkey leg while laughing at some silly street actor can transform you!
The Belrose has been a costume rental staple at the Faires since the 80s.
As the years have gone on, we've expanded out to several other Faires across the country, offering a wide range of styles and sizes so you can live your best life as an active participant in a 360-degree theater experience.
This year's sign over the booth at the NorCalRenFaire
Other than the benefits of being a part of the experience, it's great to be able to play, get dusty, drink (and maybe spill) your ales all while having your everyday clothes being kept clean and fresh for you when the day is done. The Belrose has a "locker system", so your things are kept safe and secure. You can stop by throughout the day to drop off your souvenirs or grab anything you need from your personal effects without the worry of losing anything or the bother of carrying it around with you. Then when it's time to load everyone back into the car to head home, you've got your comfy and clean clothes waiting for you.
These two swashbucklers are having the time of their lives
The Norther California Renaissance Faire opens this weekend, Saturday, September 17th and runs every weekend through October 23rd. There are new themes each weekend that you can choose to participate in (pirate invasion and Heroes & Villains are fan favorites)
Tickets are available online and at the gate and if you'd like to see what The Belrose has to offer, we are the first booth you see down the road facing the main gate.
Come join us; it's going to be an amazing event!
Huzzah!
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