The Shire Spectator

As we stumble out of the dark and crowded Pyrate Ship, narrowly defeated in wits but victorious in fun, we find ourselves instantly transported to another land. Gone are the wizards and witches of yet another hour passed, to be replaced by the kilt-adorned clansman of the British Isles. For it is now the first weekend known as Shamrocks and Shenanigans at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (PRF)! In this hour's installment, Ax and Lotti will provide an update on some Celtic highlights from this festival weekend, as well as reviews of the Chess Match, Hob the Troll, and a final performance of the legendary Don Juan and Esmeralda. Mere yards from the Pyrate Ship sounded the Celtic cacophony of bagpipes and the thunderous beat of Bodhran drums. Scots and Irish bond over stouts. It is no wonder that this is often a sold-out weekend at PRF as the vibe of day shifts from Renaissance Faire to Celtic festival. One of the biggest draws for this themed weekend is the music, as PRF tends to b...

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (PRF) is a land of magic: faeries, furries, witches, and yes-- even time travel. The Wizarding Weekend certainly brings more of the Shire's mysteries to a boiling point in the alcohol-filled cauldron of entertainment. As we enter the fifth hour of our wonderous journey, our time doubles as the cauldron bubbles. Read on to learn more of the marvels of the soothsayer Cosmo's fortunes and fables, pub trivia at the Pyrate Ship, and a bonus review of the Cirque la Vie aerial act.  3 p.m. Cosmo is a delight, and his act on O'Malley's stage is sure to please travelers of all ages. This intimate and accessible setting encourages audience interaction, which Cosmo weaves masterfully into his improvised stories and tales to hilarious and/or heroic effect. Perhaps he will sing thee a charming ballad on his ukulele, or regale curious fortune-seekers with mystic insight into what the stars have written. (It has been said that Cosmo himself is born u...

'Tis now the hour of two, dear readers, and as we depart the peaceful serenades of the Burly Minstrels at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (PRF), we find ourselves surrounded by fur-clad and face-painted warriors! For it is now Viking Weekend at the Shire, and luckily, these Norsemen and Norsewomen pose no threat. The Viking week theme is one of our favorites here at The Shire Spectator . The costumes are always the most creative, plus it gives Ax and Lotti an excuse to break out their own furs for adornment. From the divine poetry of Odin, to the courting ritual of writing prose to those you love, poetry was a significant part of the Norse culture. So, it is only fitting that Lotti and Ax head to the next showing of "the wildly inappropriate" poetry of Arthur Greenleaf Holmes. Brace thy selves, faire readers, for with today’s telling, we shall play the Bard Card. 2 p.m. Located at the Ball and Chain Stage, this is without a doubt the most popular show at the Shire. Si...

Lunch Review:  Food has always been an integral part of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (PRF). The smoky drippings of a turkey leg, a gigantic pickle on a stick, and lukewarm soup trapped inside a day-old bread bowl: these are the classics that have stood the test of time. I believe it was Marie Antoinette who famously said, “Let them eat cake, while I eat my turkey legge.” As this week’s theme is Heroes and Villains, it is our duty to find you the heroic sustenance that will defeat the evil villain that is hunger. The trick to eating at the Renaissance Faire is to keep it simple. Year after year, Lotti and I have sworn by the chicken fingers and fries basket. Located at the Public House next to the Hart Inn stage, this has always been our favorite for both the taste and the price, with a hearty dose of appreciation for the sauces and topping choices offered at this stand. (Take heed, traveler!) Unfortunately, the Shire is not immune to the tariffs sweeping the new world. What w...

Continuing on with our weekly excursions to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (PRF), we continue our adventure following the Queen's Court and reach noontime upon the Shire. 12 p.m. 'Tis the hour of twelve when the Queen’s Court concludes. It is now Pyrate Invasion weekend and we have an open sea of choices of where we shall go next. But first, we need to refill our mugs of that devil’s brew known as the Blackwater Stout. Now dear readers, before we get to our next destination, it is Lotti and Ax’s mission to not only be your guide for the PRF, but to be your first mate! And the main purpose of the first mate is to ensure the well-being of the crew (our readers). One of the ways we do that is by letting you in on a little secret... Many will tell you and possibly even persuade you to attend some of the more well-known or extravagant events that start at 12 p.m.: Sir Arthur Greenleaf Holmes, Celtic Legacy, Hob the Troll or the Celtic Revels. But dear reader, the real treasure i...

The Pennsylvania Renaissance faire is a world full of wonder, awe and constant stimulation. The storytelling of our journey will occur through one hour chapters. Through our weekly attendance to this season’s fair, each entry in this blog will be an hour of the day at the Ren Fair. This will not only give insight to our fellow travels about what a day at the Renaissance faire entails, but also an entire summary of this year’s 45th season of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. 11 a.m. The first entry and already you are getting a little bit of a bonus, as the start of the day at Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (PRF) occurs much before the entry time of 11 a.m.  If you are traveling to the PRF, chances are you are taking the PA Turnpike. Much like the price you pay to a troll to cross the bridge, the price to cross the Susquehanna (if going eastbound) is more expensive each year; however, it is the most direct route. We suggest you plan an extra 10-15 minutes to your travel time as th...