My First Ever Renaissance Faire
Earlier this year, my friend Jenny insisted we go to Renaissance Pleasure Faire in Irwindale. I’m (almost) always up for a new experience and said sure, why not? As this was my first time attending, I had no idea what to expect. Would I love it? Or would I hate it?
In late May, we put on our best costumes and stepped into a world full of plague doctors, corsets, and more. Now that I’ve gone and lived a day in the 1500s, I’m here to share my thoughts and feelings about this very peculiar event.
Spoiler alert: I had a blast!
Read on below to learn more about my first impressions of the ren faire.
Where the f*** is Irwindale?
Jenny, me, and our friend Liz
In Southern California, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire is held yearly in Irwindale at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area between early April and late May.
Irwindale is located off the 605 North, about an hour away from where I live (for reference, it’s next to Covina and Baldwin Park). As expected, there is literally nothing there! Despite still being part of LA County, it feels pretty rural and provides the perfect backdrop for the ren faire.
The faire was packed af
I’m not sure why, but I expected this to be a low-key event; I was wrong! Every inch of the park was filled to the brim with attendees dressed in their best renaissance costumes. Even so, I have to say that this was a very chill and spirited celebration. Everyone we encountered was friendly and happy to be there.
People really get into character
It was beyond amazing to see the amount of time, detail, and money that people put into their costumes. Moreover, I would say that a majority of people were in character and speaking with an English accent and using medieval terminology. Simply put, it was fascinating.
There’s a lot to see and do
When we entered the faire, we were immediately handed a printed flyer that listed the day’s scheduled shows. There is SO much to do, it was a bit overwhelming. Additionally, there were carnival games and an array of vendors selling unique items (I nabbed a fairy ring), food, and snacks.
We ended up watching a sword swallower and jousting. As for the food, it was a flop for me. A serving of Fish and chips set me back $20 and was mediocre, at best.
I would go again
My friends and I spent the entire day at the ren faire. I left my home at 10:30 am and didn’t make it back home until 8 pm. With so much going on, the day went by pretty quickly.
A lot of it was spent observing and taking it all in. I think this is an experience for everyone. You don’t have to dress up (my outfit details are listed below) if you don’t want to but it definitely adds to the excitement.
I would say that attending a ren faire is “nerdy” but it’s also a one-of-a-kind adventure. If you’re even a little curious, it’s worth checking out!
Know before you go:
The Renaissance Pleasure Faire has come to end for this season but will be back in the Spring of 2023
Tickets were $38 and were purchased online
Parking was plentiful and cost $12
Everything at the faire was CASH only
Bring water and stay hydrated; Irwindale is extremely hot
Porta potties were available
Shop my fairy-inspired outfit:
Romwe ruffle dress
Green leaf and white flower crown
Donddi Sandals by Steve Madden
