The Shire Spectator

The Bard hath said, "Time travels in divers paces with divers persons," and just as Rosalind noted in As You Like It , whether a few hours pass at an amble, trot, gallop, or not at all, be it entirely dependent upon the person. With fewer than two hours left in the festival day, Ax and Lotti have ambled into the hour of six o' the clock at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (PRF) during the anachronistic Time Travelers Weekend. Time, which we know to be in the Shire as the Elizabethan era, has suddenly galloped into the Victorian era and beyond. This week, Ax and Lotti find themselves surrounded by wonders and whizbangs of future invention: from goggles to gears, timepieces to top hats, one might encounter both steam punks and stormtroopers at the PRF. Yet despite the sudden introduction of gunpowder, lasers, and even what a supposed doctor described as a TARDIS, the time-honored and untouchable tradition of the Ultimate Joust is how the most serious scores are settled in...

Like a bat out of hell(es), we find ourselves in the middle of Oktoberfest weekend as we approach the hour of five of the clock. Similar to the celebration of Celtic history during the Shamrock and Shenanigan weekend, the Oktoberfest-themed weekend at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (PRF) celebrates this tradition of German culture, specifically, the beer- and pretzel-loving lands of Bavaria. Gone are the kilts and green attire as travelers adorn themselves with lederhosen and fedoras, while fraus and fräuleins are spotted in an array of ever-flattering dirndls. Yet perhaps the most important accessory of all during this festival day is the classic bier stein. From pints of stout to steins of dunkel, we instantly immerse ourselves in this Bavarian Ballyhoo. This is always a fun and popular weekend as beer confidently takes center stage: the clarity of a helles lager, the dark maltiness of a dunkel, the "a-peeling" banana flavor of the hefeweizen, and of course, the star of...

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...