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REVIEW OF THE GREATER ST. LOUIS REN FAIRE AT WENTZVILLE
by Ken Mitchell, ATF Reader

As I watched the King and Queen stroll by under a liquid crystal blue sky, I let the sights, sounds and smells of a perfect Renaissance day soak into my soul.

This is what it's all about... with Milady Jeanne (dressed in 1530's Venice merchants daughter garb) on my arm, I strolled in the woods and hills of Petite Lyon, at the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire at Wentzville. There were wenches wenching, falconer's falconing, rogues and knights, and the air was filled with the shrill cry of the hucksters selling their wares.

St. Louis, a French town, sets the GSLRF in the France of François I. François was a contemporary of Henry VII and the patron of such great Italian minds as Leonardo DaVinci, and although I love English faires, it's a nice change when I attend ones that are based on other cultures. St. Louis is in it's fourth year, and has a lovely location in the semi-rural Wentzville, the fair has an area with lots of shade and good accessibility for handicapped individuals (after last years unsuccessful attempts to attend faires when confined to a wheel chair, I am really looking to credit faires that pay attention to accessibility).

We attended on Memorial Day, the closing day of the faire. The event was scheduled on weekend days from May 11-27, and I was concerned that the organizers would "mail in" the last day (as often happens in multi-weekend faires) but the good folks at the GSLRF finished it right. A big, energetic crowd was on hand to see a full slate of scheduled acts. The highlight of the entertainment was jousting provided by Noble Cause Productions, who provide a nice jousting show. Elements of the movie A Knights Tale have certainly crept into this years production, with Queen's We Will Rock You being stomped by the crowd at appropriate dramatic places. Four shattered lances and a couple of, "Dang, that was a hard hit. You okay, Danny?" whispers from the dark squire. Later, good triumphed over evil. Sooner or later, can't we let Lord Malcolm win one?

High marks go to Faire organizers who set aside time to honor America's veterans with a presentation of the United States flag by (I assume) veterans, the singing of the national anthem and a moment of silence in remembrance of those who gave their lives so that we might be free.

Bob Bartley presented his trained bird act, Fowl Tales, in the guise of a pirate. If you have not seen this act, you should make a point to see it at some time. The bird Gypsy is a wonderful performer. Bob's not bad either. Another bird act appeared at the GSLRF, a display of birds of prey from the World Bird Sanctuary, which is located in St. Louis. Going into the act, I thought it was going to be a display of Renaissance Falconry. It wasn't, rather it was a demonstration of several birds of prey of North America. These wonderful birds flew over the head (actually touching the spectators with their wings as they flew by) and it was both interesting and educational. While the two presenters were in garb, and it certainly was worth the time to
see, I did leave the show wishing that they had talked about Renaissance birding. It's not really a complaint, it's just that I do hope that if these folks are back next year, a more "theme oriented" presentation would be a plus.

The Caravan of Gypsies presented a nice dance segment, with both excellent dancers and musicians. One of the things that always makes me laugh is the look on the faces of mundane moms who take their mop-headed kids to the faire only to find out that renaissance people are not puritans or prudes. I was watching a performance of Mistress Bawd (she's quite good), and she was singing away on some of the old tunes. I was delighted when one of the soccer moms turned to me, pale in face, and said "My God, and I thought rap was filthy!" It was a typical mundane reaction. The lyrics the good mistress was singing were bawdy, but as we all know they were not "graphic" in the modern sense. Isn't the imagination a wonderful thing? It's always a challenge to accurately portray renaissance adult culture in today's puritan-based America.

The faire cast did a good job. I award special kudos to The Pickle Man (portrayed brilliantly by Rick Jensen) and saucy Gravedigger (played by Eric Barnett), both of whom did excellent performances. My only regret of the day is that I was "sans garb." I am on the tail end of a monster diet, and have lost 93 pounds. Even ren garb is not THAT loose fitting. In all, the GSLRF was a great event on Memorial Day of 2001. To the organizers, performers and patrons of the event, I give a "job well done!"

Help keep us online. Book your travel here, or patronize some of these folke:

1. Des Moines Ren Faire (IA)
2. Iowa Ren Festival (IA)
3. Iowa-Minnesota Pirate Fest (IA)
4. Greater Quad Cities Ren Faire (IL)
5. Midlands Pirate Festival (NE)
6. Nebraska Ren Faire (NE)
7. Ren Faire at Sleepy Hollow (IA)

1. thescotsdragon.com
2. threegryphons.com

1. danzamystique.com
2. gypsycomedyshow.com
3. mydragonstories
4. phoenixswords.atthefaire.com
5. piratecomedyshow.com
6. queenbea.atthefaire.com
7. revelers.atthefaire.com
8. wenchville.com

1. anothercrappypodcast.com
2. atthefaire.com
3. crocolyle.atthefaire.com
4. perin.atthefaire.com
5. renbanner.net
6. renreporter.com
7. sirclisto.com

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Permanent festivals in our area: Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Bristol Renaissance Faire, Des Moines Renaissance Faire and Minnesota Renaissance Festival.
Other ATF sites: DisneyFans.com DMHauntedHouses.com