Huzzah! I have returned to the faire and on the final weekend of 2022 no less. Literally decades since my last visit when they were located in Black Point Forest in Novato. Additional info in the video following the posts
The gates fly open, let the revelry begin!
Laid out in basically in a circle, we will proceed clockwise around the grounds
There are a number of places around to get food and drink but the largest gathering is very close to the entrance
While the turkey legs are popular, you will be able to find something that you will like: sausages, other fowl, pizza, gyros, seafood and chips, sandwiches and other savory items. Sweet items like ice cream, root beer floats, and cinnamon rolls are a few choices
A large space with hay bales to rest upon while eating. The space fills up even more when those noshing and those queuing try to take up the same physical space
A number of artisans and craftsman ply their services, wares, and goods
Most everything follows the theme of the medieval ages but some take liberties
There are activities and games for the kids and the kids at heart
There are games to test your skill and theres a dart game where you could possibly win money, real modern-day money
I circumnavigated the circular route of the faire in either direction a number of times throughout the day that I spent here
People can elect to come in costume or you can rent a costume for the day
Wanted to throw an axe, javelin or knife? See what you can do with a bow and arrows or pistol bow and bolts
Small carvings of animal heads with wings
How is your staff? Has it seen better days?
Maybe its time to retire it and get a new one
The magic gone out of your wand?
Bauble and bangles, rings and bracelets, necklaces and anklets are some of the different varieties of jewelry I saw in various huts and tents
Get your drynk on before watching the the equine events like the Equine Guild. Tournament of Games, and the Joust. A large Pepsi soda was $5
Mugs made of horn, wood, pottery, animal skin, and other materials to hang off your belt to make it look like you work here
To fulfill that accessory for your fantasy costume can be easier to find and purchase at the faire
I was drawn to this stall for its offerings. Although I didnt get to it, the Feast of Fowl platter($65) looked intriguing. A quaducken(quail, duck, chicken) with creamed spinach and wild rice. There were other enticing optionms
I settled for the Scotch egg and some deep fried zucchini with a drizzle of ranch dressing, $9 each. for the unintiated, the Scotch egg is a boiled egg at the center with sausage meat covering it. A light layer of bread crumbs completes the strata then deep fried. A side of dijonaisse on the side.
Its next door neighbor sold toad in the hole($9), sausage meat baked into flakey pastry
You may have heard me say it before but this was the best thing I had this day. Its possible that the sausage meat could be the same as that encasing the Scotch egg, but this tasted much more savory and flavorful and went well with the pastry
Beers, ales, mimosa, bellinis, wine, and hard ciders for those who would like to imbibe.
This stall in the food court sold hard ciders exclusively.
How many axes do you want to attempt? 10 not enough? How about 15?
Cease fire while thrown axes are collected to be recycled and thrown again and again
Instead of competing against yourself, sword fight with someone at the fencing hut
Grab an epee. chest guard, and mask, get some instructions then have at it! My name is Inigo Montoya...
A look at the jousting field with bleachers in a horseshoe shape around it
The Equine Guild were ladie horseman displaying their riding skills in different ways
Christina on her stead. All their horses had names but I dont remember any of them
They played a game where a ring is tossed as the rider gallops by
With a wooden sword, the rider skewers the ring to capture a point
Each participant goes by the far tosser, swings around, and tries for a double at the near tosser
Some of the knights that represent Scotland, England, France, and Spain
The javlin toss into the target as they speed by
Look, in the pitch, a head? A head of cabbage? See video as to why they impaled the vegetable
At the end of the tourney, spectators can have a meet and greet with the knights. They can meet the horses. Please do not feed the squires
The Queen holding court
Finally, its time for the Joust. The colors of Spain
The blue and white of France's combatant
The wolf masked and topless warrior from Scotland
Lastly, the representative from Great Britain
Salute each other before engagement to show respect for each other. The joust can be viewed in the video
Spain and France battle each other. France with sword and shield while Spain utilizes a poled weapon
Scotland enters the fray against the champion of the previous fracus
After the Joust, my day was pretty much done and I decided to retire. Many more people in costume of various themes, origins, or persuasions
A short walk to the entrance/exit. It was a nice day out at the faire. I enjoyed the food and shows and walking amongst faire goers. Not something I would visit every year but would definitly revisit withing the next decade.
And lastly, the much awaited video
