Renaissance Faire brings folks back to the year 1585
Thousands of visitors traveled back to the year 1585 at the 30th Annual Central Renaissance Faire. The Elizabethan-era event ran Saturday and Sunday at Laguna Lake Park in San Luis Obispo. Many attendees dressed in costume for the event, but Elizabethan attire was not required.
Eight hundred actors in period costumes created an Elizabethan village in eucalyptus trees next to Laguna Lake. Most of the actors spoke Elizabethan English.
Artisans sold Elizabethan-era products like soap, period clothing, swords, perfumes and books. Others provided hair braiding, henna, temporary tattoos, face painting and Tarot card readings.
Men dressed as knights engaged in jousting and sword play. Others performed bawdy theater, the likes of which inspired Shakespeare.
Food and beverage offerings included roasted turkey legs, ale and roasted ears of corn. The purveyors of Elizabethan goods and services generally accepted major American credit cards.
Admission to the Renaissance Faire fetched $17 per person. Parking at nearby Madonna Meadows was an additional $6. Shuttle buses transferred visitors from the meadow to the Elizabethan village.