TRR photo by Chris Conroy Renaissance Faire performers dance around the May Pole every Faire day at 12:00 noon. (Click for larger image)

No time like the past

At New York’s Renaissance Faire

By CHRIS CONROY

TUXEDO — “When you’re older, you’ll be able to appreciate this,” said one father to his young son as the child pulled him away from the belly dancers at the Turtle Drome.

Those belly dancers are just one of the sights to see at the 24th Annual New York Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo’s Sterling Forest. Every summer the “Once upon a time…” of storybooks comes to life, bringing the knights, royalty and rogues of 1585 into contact with the normal (and not so normal) residents of the 21st century. A family can spend the day enjoying performances, shopping, eating and basking in the beautiful outdoors.

	TRR photo by Chris Conroy The Sheriff of Nottingham, played by Christopher DeTroy, spends Faire days crossing swords with Robin Hood and his band of Merry Men. (Click for larger image)

Set up like a small village, the Faire is populated with a cast of characters ranging from the village idiot to Queen Elizabeth. Add to that the fact that many visitors arrive in their own costumes, and you have a dynamic atmosphere that puts any other form of “virtual reality” to shame. Everything is interactive.

The action throughout the day focuses on a plot by Arabella Stuart, the Queen’s heir, to take the kingdom for her own. Intertwined with this story is that of Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham, two of the most famous archrivals of all time. To complicate matters even more, a number of foreign dignitaries have arrived to take part in a trade summit.

These stories are played out in a series of staged performances all around the Faire, with major events taking place in the larger public arenas: the jousting field and the human chessboard. During the day, there are two jousts and two chess games, both full of action and excitement.

For those not interested in following the main plot, an array of spontaneous, and often quite humorous, side stories develop as Faire characters interact with visitors and each other. Clashes between the Queen of the African nation of Motombwa and the Sheriff’s guards, wenches chasing Puritans, children defeating knights and just about anything else can be seen. The players are always in character, which means cell phones and sunglasses are mysterious things, and the performers seem to delight in coaxing visitors to explain these strange objects.

Shows featuring jugglers, turtle races, storytellers, musicians, singers and other acts take to the stages throughout the Faire. Many of these bring the audience right into the act, choosing visitors to play parts in the performances. This goes beyond the acrobat asking someone to hand them up a unicycle while they balance on the not-so-tight wire. Dressed up visitors take to the stage, and sometimes stand a pretty good chance of getting hit with a danish or doused with water.

	TRR photo by Chris Conroy Sir Guy de Gisborne played by Justin Ray Thompson, is the French court’s champion in the joust. (Click for larger image)

A newly added petting zoo rounds out the children’s area of the Faire, adding to the maze, storytellers, human-powered rides and games of skill that were already in place. Kids get their own special set of shows, too, toned down from the often bawdy humor that is present at most of the performances.

Once you’ve had your fill of entertainment, you can move on to shopping or eating. Either appetite can be more than satiated by the vendors. For those with an eye toward the culinary the most popular items are the steak on a stick and the extra-large turkey legs. If you care to support the merchant’s guild, there are items to fulfill any desire.

The New York State Renaissance Faire runs every Saturday and Sunday (and Labor Day) from now until September 16. Admission is $16.75 for adults and $7 for children ages five to 12. Children under five are free. Discount tickets and coupons are available at Wendy’s restaurants, ShopRite and online at www.renfair.com.

For more information call 845/351-5174.