In the days of Yor! But, seriously It was definitely a trip in the past. Time had stopped and had wound itself back with the land sprawling before me and the BrewCrew, long standing buildings nestled in what felt like the heart of Nottingham. The Kansas City Renaissance Fair team members had out done themselves yet again, vendors beckoned to wandering guests and actors mingled amongst the crowds of people all the while acting out their plays without skipping a beat. Though the sights and smells made us wish we had twenty more eyes it did not compare to the plethora of outstanding people we met on our journey.
We did meander a bit on the grounds soaking in the sights and sounds where we met The Maestro’s son Yamanu Boleyn, he beguiled his tale as he is a gypsie and in love with a maiden, photos to follow and scroll through for your enjoyment by the way. I can not tell you how enthralling it is to be within inches of a story unfolding in front of your eyes. Side note, The Maestro is the Entertainment Director and to see that his son also taking part in the fair seem to come full circle, like father like son in the love of entertaining and creating a lively atmosphere.
Though Yamanu’s story played across the map of the fair we did notice that other employees stayed on as short as five years, like, Samuel, who has worked the rides like the Dragon and his older brother whom started some years earlier before him. Then there’s the longstanding veterans such as Lord and Lady Catherine (their character names) have been playing in the historian parts of the fair. They play in the Scottish Encampment area of the fair where they can give you tour of the camp itself and throughout the fair grounds giving you a full history of Scottish affairs. They were so well cultivated to the study that they even had a moment of disagreement with each other, which as a couple that is supposedly married it befit the characters smoothly and was charming.
Then there is the lovely Clare whom has been coming for twenty-nine years. Mind you she has a big place in my heart for having loyalty and devotion for her craft and for the love of her business. However, I should say businesses since she recently opened Shamrockin, a booth of lovely decoupage stones where anyone can decorate with paint. Clare has been coming back for the seven weekends that the fair is open for twenty plus years making the trek from Ireland to Kansas each time, if that doesn’t say tenacity and devotion, I don’t know what does. Clare acquired the crepe booth which had only six crepes with the original owner but once Clare had her hand’s on the franchise it grew to more than a dozen delicious crepes from sweet to savory.
It really says something about a business when employees stay for years and years. I think what blows my mind is the vast community of people working together that not only know one another or know of each other contributing to one another causes. Especially, if you’re on the hunt for people to talk to for a story, they grab your arm, and quite literally say come this way.
We followed the sun on our walk through the fair to circle back around to the front gate as the sun began to set. The enthusiasm never cease even as the sky grew dark voices and instruments rose high giving patrons a very fond farewell. If you haven’t gone to a fair, then you’re missing out. I like to give a special thanks to Mary Pugh for giving us an opportunity to get closer to the fair than we ever have been before. And a few words of wisdom from one of the booth keepers, whose name is Sheila,
‘laugh everyday and let the little things go.’
Keep On Brewin!
This is a drawing I’ve been working on. I haven’t inked her in but it is a work in progress. I’ve talked about drawing and writing my own things, yet I haven’t posted any of my art. So here we are a rough draft of the spirit of the forest. She is the keeper of secrets long since forgotten. She is full mischievousness ready to lead you on to a path you aren’t ready for. Fly or fall its your choice, if you dare. Catch her if you can, I’m game are you?