A Small Taste of the Renaissance

Threatening skies and intermittent rain did nothing to deter a small group of merchants, artists, and performers from re-creating a little bit of Nottingham in a rustic park in Agoura Hills one early April day. In fact, as Leonardo da Vinci told it, the weather brought back fond memories of London’s clime.

As visitors braved a potential drenching or simply awaited a break in the clouds, they were greeted by a friendly ale-man, offering liquid refreshment at an establishment nestled beneath a gargantuan oak tree. His friendly and cheerful nature ensured that business would be brisk once Nature provided a brief respite.

For Your Dining Pleasure

Palates were further tempted by purveyors of comestibles including:

  • Turkey Legs
  • Topanga’s Famous Jerky
  • Wood Fire Pizza
  • Freshly Squeezed Lemonade
  • Tasty sweets and other delights, courtesy of the Knave of Hearts
  • Kettlecorn (always a Faire favorite)
Creative Offerings

Lest you think this was naught but another food festival, I’ll disabuse you of that notion with a selection of crafts vendors who also braved the elements.

Glastonbury’s Unique Gifts offered a rare and unusual selection of items including:

  • Painted and wooden Tarot boxes
  • Leather grimoires and purses
  • Ornate Goblets
  • Athames

Giving new life to cast off goods, Crooked Saw Creations creates beautiful works of art. They proudly displayed pieces from their collection.

Creating not only art, but items with a purpose, Wayne’s Woodcrafts offered up a selection of hand-made pens, wine stoppers and pepper mills.

Also in attendance were:

  • Faire Ladies, Faire Lords: purveyors of hand-made Renaissance-style clothing
  • Deep Water Designs: offering a selection of ceramics
Continuous Entertainment

As visitors strolled between booths examining wares, nibbling on tasty treats and enjoying musical interludes, Leonardo da Vinci engaged them in conversation offering a unique and distinctly bawdy account of the lives of he and his family. He waxed poetic about Nature’s lines in trees and hillsides which inspired his art.

In keeping with the diminutive nature of this festival, performers presented a play based on historical events in a small amphitheatre behind the vendors’ tents.

All in all, we got a tantalizing taste of the more extravagant affair known far and wide as The Nottingham Festival to be held in Simi Valley November 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2016.