Pittsburgh RenFest, 2009
The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival
The Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival was fantastic! It is held in West Newton, about 40 minutes south of Pittsburgh. From the first sign proclaiming “Eat, drynk and be merrie!” to the “Fare thee well!” from the people on the entry gate wall, the fun was nonstop! The time period is the 16th century, in the time of Henry VII. Visitors to the shire can meet the king, the queen, and the prince and princesses. Entertainment, food and shopping are the major attractions. Entertainment featured such acts as Celtic Commotion, bagpipes and drums with a contemporary flair; Mad Mechanics, a group that very loosely and comically adapts Shakespeare; The German Brothers, an absurd pair of “German rap stars”; and Caste in Bronze, a dramatic entertainer who plays the carillon bells. Food items that include smoked turkey leg, BBQ pork sandwiches, soup in a bread bowl, fish and chips, fresh berry cobbler, apple dumpling, and root beer floats will fill empty stomachs and satisfy cravings. As for shopping, candles, artwork, renaissance clothing, jewelry, toys, sky chairs, and weaponry will provide many opportunities to buy. The Children’s Realm is a haven for the young ones. Games are fun for the whole family. The faire is in glens, dales, and open fields. Each weekend has a theme, and this one was Irish Festival. Admission is $13.50 each for advanced tickets. Faire hours are 10:30 – 6:30, weekends.
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