Renaissance Faire participants outnumber crowds in Hemet
Patterned after a harvest festival in Port Talbot, the month-long faire takes visitors back to the age of rogues, wenches, ale and roasted turkey legs.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Participants outnumbered visitors at the first annual Renaissance Faire at the Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre this weekend, but that didn’t stop anyone from getting into the spirit of merry old England circa 1585.
Patterned after a harvest festival in Port Talbot, the month-long faire takes visitors back to the age of rogues, wenches, ale and roasted turkey legs.
“The music, costumes and food were interesting,” said San Jacinto resident Cecelia Devynski. ”It’s a way for people to enjoy the day and just have a good time.”
Paul Jacques, operations director for the Ramona Bowl in Hemet, said the faire is doing “fairly well so far.”
“It’s been a little bit warm, so it’s been a bit off,” he said. “We’re at about 60 percent (projected attendance), which for a first-year event with heat isn’t bad. We’re looking for about 1,000 people a day.”
Bill Fleming, owner of Banner Knife and Garb, makes his living hauling his knives in a van from Phoenix, AZ, to various Renaissance faires throughout the Southwestern United States.
“I have my route of 10 or 12 places I always go,” Fleming said. “I also do a lot of smaller, start-up shows like this one. Traffic is always a little light when they first start up. But when you get started with a show, you get grandfathered in and start getting customers coming back to see you every year.
Ramona Bowl, which has been the site of summer Shakespeare festivals for the last seven years, is touting itself as a permanent Renaissance faire venue. Whether the event continues in future years will depend, however, on the bowl governing board’s wishes, Jacques said.
For now, visitors can catch a glimpse of life during Renaissance times courtesy of five living history “guilds.” One guild, for example, is composed of foot soldiers in full regalia.
Visitors also can enjoy colorfully costumed actors and shopkeepers wandering the village-located in the old campground below the Ramona Bowl on Columbia Street-or watch nonstop singing, dancing and theatrical performances, improvisational comedy and fractured fairy tales.
A gauntlet of nearly 30 vendors provide food, refreshments, clothing, jewelry, pottery, pewter, flower, craft, knives and musical instruments-for the shilling, of course.
The event continues weekends through Sept. 27. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 12 and 26; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 13 and 27; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 19 and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 20.
General admission is $16.00, or $12 for students, military personnel and visitors age 62 and older. Children under 5 are free. Parking is $5.
Reach Steve Fetbrandt at sfetbrandt@gmail.com or 951-764-8449
Tags: hemet, Renaissance faire, SWRNN
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Comment by: torg Posted: September 18, 2009, 3:28 pm
Worst event ever. High priced, small and the workers seem like they have done one bong hit too many.
Not worth the effort. You can have more fun at pepboys
Comment by: Art Posted: September 19, 2009, 8:22 pm
Why do organizers plan these kind of outdoor events during the HOTTEST time of year? It happens everytime…then they complain about attendance numbers? C’mon, use your heads! The weather is fantastic here from November through May or even June – why not hold the Faire during that period. I’d rather have the threat of rain over 100+ degree temps. Anyway, I bet the number of participants will drop off next year as well after having to wear all that costumage and deal with the heat.
Agree with Torg…I’ve always found the Faire to be kind of a boring thing as an attendee, but I could understand it being a lot of fun for participants who are into the history of it…although much of it looks like an excuse to drink, party and enjoy overall debauchery to me!
Comment by: Robert Stout Posted: September 23, 2009, 2:28 pm
went on opening day if your going to have a fair in the ugly hemet Heat provide a place for patrons to Get water not a drinking fountain on the whole fair site and Beer on tap $7:00 a glass I hope the Ramona Bowl people can fix the water problem for 2010
Comment by: Rebecca Posted: September 24, 2009, 2:47 pm
I first thought this might be interesting. The history and romance of the time is fascinating. What a rude surprise I was in for. Booze, Bongs and scum is what it should be called. No class at all. I now understand why most people make fun of Renaissance fairs.
The fairy tail guy was good.
If I must say anything else good about the place it was getting in my car and leaving.
Comment by: kathy Posted: September 26, 2009, 10:04 pm
Sounds like time of year needs to be rethought but these faires can be lots of fun for attendees too if done proper. Unfortunately it does require an open minded person after all it’s a “renaissance” fair. I hope they do have another just please not in the heat.
Comment by: Lena Posted: September 29, 2009, 8:31 pm
I actually enjoyed this faire.
It was quite nice being its first year regardless of the heat.
The jousting arena could have been better set up seating wise but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Faires their first year either bomb or live. I think this one lived enough to come back next year. With better advertising and perhaps better weather I could see it being one of those small faires that thrive on year after year patrons.