I used to attend Ren Faires all the time. I still have medieval costumes in my costume bin from those days. But then we moved to Oregon about the same time that the Fairy Festival began, and we were immediately loyal. So then we (Kellen and me) began collecting wings and fae garb and forgot all about Renaissance Faires. That is how it came to be that my absolute very first Renaissance Faire in Oregon was this month.
The plan was to meet up with Kellen, Cameron, and their friend. They had planned months in advance and chose this weekend, so no one was prepared for the weather. The forecast high temperature for the day told to me by one vendor was 103 degrees (39.5 C). The kids told me to arrive early to get good parking. I did arrive early, and the lines on the street leading up to the place seemed not to be moving at all. So I parked on a nearby neighborhood street and walked to the gate.
I am always impressed by the effort put into making the vendor tents absolutely beautiful and enticing.
The Oregon Renaissance Faire is in Canby, Oregon, 30 minutes’ drive south of Portland, and an hour north of Albany, where Kellen was coming from.
Everyone I asked for a photo was delighted to oblige.
There are always buskers on theme, trying to earn a buck.
The arena was mostly for the adults, and it was amazing! I was so astonished that I forgot to take very many photos. I think that’s a good thing. They were to have actual jousting later, but I was not interested in spending more time out there in that blasting heat than was necessary. I felt sorry for the performers who gave no indication that they were suffering.
It was tremendously hot. I gazed at some of the costumes with admiration, as people walked by clad in black leather, and fur, and many layers. I was in the elf costume I had worn in New Zealand, that was specially designed to be as cool as possible. I was hot, but managing. Sorry I forgot to get a photo of myself too! ha ha
Poor Kellen and crew. They arrived just 20 minutes later than I did, and the roads were really clogged by then. They waited in line in the car for an hour and a half in that horrendous sun before being directed inside the realm. That entire time, I was blissfully walking through the forest.
I had eaten breakfast before I left, but the kids had planned to eat once they arrived. They didn’t get in till noon, and their first order of business was to eat. Unfortunately, all the food vendors were in the direct sunlight with no shade but what you can see above: when pressed up against the building itself. Lines were very long at lunchtime, so they kids didn’t get food for another half hour of waiting in the sun and heat.
The variety of costumes blew my mind. What a wonderful way to express our creativity as humans: dress up in hundreds of different guises.
Finally, the kids were done eating and had a chance to explore the festival a little. Kellen, by simple bad luck, had built themselves a rabbit costume, with gigantic furry feet and huge furry ears. The fur coat was making them miserable. They had sat in the sun for 2 1/2 hours in the car, then another half hour getting food. The other two kids were miserable too – all of them more sensitive to heat than me, but also, how can you not be senstive to 100-degree heat?
We messaged each other back and forth, trying to triangulate and find each other. By the time we met up, they were hot and grumpy and ready to leave. All that planning for such a challenging weather day. They decided to go, and we hugged sweaty goodbyes. Everyone was disappointed.
But I was still ok. I found some meat pies for sale and bought another cider. I walked through a torture museum that displayed medieval torture devices. Many vendors had misting fans set up, so I lingered in the coolness whenever I found them. I watched a couple more shows, and marveled at how happy the people were despite the heat. And then, after a full and sweltering day, I had satisfied my craving for festivals and cosplay, and I walked back to my car.
Conscious Engagement 
Sorry the kids didn’t have an optimal experience, and the heat sounds like what we have here right now when even a short dog walk makes us both wish to never go out again. But! If I happened to visit a place like that, I’d need to be dragged away because I’d wish to stay and live like this forever. And sorry I don’t get to see you in full. The headpiece is gorgeous!
You know, I had been planning to have the kids get a photo of me, but by the time we finally found each other, they were ready to leave. I didn’t remember to ask. Darn it. So blasted hot that day. The next weekend and this weekend are much, much cooler. In fact, it’s raining today and only 65 (18.5 C). That would be perfect for Kellen’s really amazing rabbit costume.
So yes, I can relate to how hot you must be feeling right now. Weather that hot is so hard to be motivated in. Pedro and I had back yard projects that weekend that was so hot, but we couldn’t move. ha ha. Our air conditioning unit finally arrived in the mail, so next time it gets that hot we will be able to cool the bedroom – which is important!
It really is a fantastic headpiece! But the Pirate Nutria was a real showstopper.
I loved that nutria!! I’m so glad it caught your eye too. The headpiece I bought from a home crafter on Etsy. 🙂
Thanks for making me feel hot. It’s quite cold here this morning.
The costumes were amazing. A pity the heat spoilt the day
Yay, I’m glad the post helped you warm up a little. I feel the same when the images from the other hemisphere help me with my local weather. ❤
The first Renaissance Faire I ever attended is buried deep in my soul, Crystal. It was in the late 60s in a wooded area north of San Francisco. Magical, is the only word that fits. (And it was Bay Area cool. Grin.) I still remember the turkey leg I ate. Sorry yours was so hot! Especially for the kids. That sounded more like Burning Man but we always expected it there! And we were in the desert. When we were in Arizona 3-4 weeks ago the temp hit 112°. Nasty.
Looks like you made the most of it, given the temperature!
My very first Ren Faire is also burned into my memory. It was in a town called Larkspur, north of Colorado Springs when I was stationed at the Air Force Academy in 1991. One of those places that is such a big Renaissance Faire that they leave the structures up all year! I had such a magical time in my regular person clothing that I bought a costume to wear and then went right back the following weekend. Yes, magical is the right word when you experience something like that for the first time – like Burning Man I’m guessing. Oof, 114 is simply too much. But pretty common around there.
Magical moments, for sure Crystal! Something you can’t quite repeat but can enjoy over and over. Burning Man was the same way.
Plus there are always more ‘magical moments’ to be explored— if one is open to them. And a bit creative. Grin.
Loved reading this! You captured the fun and creativity of the faire, even with the crazy heat. Sorry your group had a tough time, but your positive attitude is inspiring. Thanks for sharing—makes me want to check it out next year!
It would be worth the trip. This festival is every weekend of June each year. The love and happiness in the air surrounds everyone there. Even with the tremendous heat, there was more joy expressed than any other feeling. I think that in the evening when it cooled down, it must have been purely wonderful too.
Absolutely, Crystal! The way you describe the joy and community spirit really shines through. Even with the heat, it sounds like an unforgettable experience. Definitely adding it to my must-visit list for next June!
I hope that you let me know when you’re nearby, so I can go meet you for coffee 🙂
That’s so kind of you — I’d love that! It would be wonderful to catch up in person and hear even more of your stories. Thanks, Crystal, I’ll definitely keep you posted when I plan my trip!
Clearly a happy event despite the hours spent in the car. I like you elf portrait.
Thank you Derrick! I felt so sad for the kids, who were the ones trapped in the car for so long. I had a short drive, an easy park, and a lightweight costume and thus got to walk around a lot while it was still morning and a bit cooler. I called to check on them a few hours later and they were all happy again. They had met up with more friends at a bar somewhere and were getting drinks with lots of ice!
Glad you liked the elf portrait. I could kick myself for not even thinking to get a photo of myself. 🙂
Wonderful. Sorry about the heat.
It was so hot! But…just bad luck. We will try again another time.