| In 1963, a schoolteacher in Los Angeles came up with | | | | jugglers may be walking about and juggling balls. The |
| the idea of a Renaissance festival to teach her | | | | event may include entertainment from singers, |
| students about the days of Elizabeth I during her reign | | | | musicians, and magicians. Maybe you can play such |
| in England. The Renaissance festival was held in her | | | | games as "Drench-a-Wench" or "Soak-a-Bloke," or |
| backyard, and it was also to be a fundraiser for a | | | | attend one of the main events, the joust. |
| radio station. There were historical reenactments, | | | | At a Renaissance festival men and boys are dressed |
| vendors, and food. It went on for a week and | | | | as knights, highway men, or perhaps Robin Hood. |
| attendance reached 8,000. The event soon became a | | | | Women and young girls transform themselves into |
| yearly event and the idea eventually spread. | | | | wenches, medieval maidens, or Maid Marians. Visitors |
| Today, Renaissance festivals are all over the country. | | | | of a Renaissance Festival are encouraged to dress |
| There are big and small festivals all year round. At a | | | | up, too. Peasant blouses, lace-up vests, and poets' |
| Renaissance festival you can take a walk through an | | | | shirts are all part of the wardrobe. Wear a |
| English village where you may see shoppes of | | | | Renaissance wedding dress and feel like a princess. |
| Renaissance-themed gifts, such as clothing, books, or | | | | Come dressed as a Knight in Shining Armor. Come in |
| art. The event may have tents with foods and | | | | costume and feel that you are living back in the time |
| beverages popular during that time. Along the "lanes" | | | | of Elizabeth I or Henry VIII. |