Great Escape: Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire

Here ye, here ye all fair lads and lasses. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I, requests your presence at the grandest ball of them all.

Ok, it’s not a ball. But it’s a pretty good party.  And the best part? Men in tights. No. Not “Thunder From Down Under” – that was last week. The 31st annual Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in the gorgeous “shire” of New Hope is back and it’s bigger than ever. Don’t worry. You don’t have to dress up, but a love of Shakespeare, cold mugs of mead and English accents are a plus.

Start your Renaissance adventure with a full belly. There are 22 “royal” kitchens from which to choose, from one offering a more traditional Tiger Pie – very meat and potatoes – to the less culturally accurate but still delicious gyros and fruit smoothies. Obviously, you’ll need a mug of something to wash that all down and thanks to the Mount Hope Winery, you’ll never want for a lovely pairing. There are also multiple pubs throughout “the shire” serving up the latest from Swashbuckler Brewery. May I recommend the Red Sea Amber? A medium-bodied amber ale that’s rich, malty and so very English.

And speaking of swashbucklers, now that you’re stuffed, laugh it off a little with the comedy stylings of Buckle and Swash, a maritime-inspired duo that will have you ... “rolling across the poop deck with laughter.” Their words. Not mine.

For a little more sword fighting, check out Don Juan and Miguel. The whip-cracking lover of ladies and his ever-faithful manservant use improv and pure skill to entertain the masses. Then there’s Giacomo the Jester, the Mars Mandrake – a fire-eating fiend – and Barby Holder, who plays the hammered dulcimer. What’s a hammered dulcimer? I have no idea. But doesn’t it sound lovely?

And that’s the beauty of the faire. Learning about and being immersed in things from the past. See artisans at work, hear traditional ballads and drinking songs. You can even see what it was like to be a 16th century soldier, thanks to the Mount Hope Trayn’d Band, a living history group that will host an encampment on the faire grounds.

Can’t afford the price tag? Eat 10 Scotch eggs (think: hard-boiled egg, wrapped with meat and deep fried), and your admission is free.

What are ye waiting fer?

Where: 2775 Lebanon Road, 
Manheim, PA.

Escape Begins: Weekends and Labor Day, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Cost: Prices vary. Go to www.parenfaire.com for details.