Bristol Renaissance Faire for a Jolly Good Tyme

The Bristol Renaissance Faire, on the border of Illinois and Wisconsin in Kenosha, WI, is celebrating it's 20th anniversary this year. The Renaissance Faire will be running from July 7 to September 3, 2007. The Faire is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. One the last weekend the Faire is also open on Labor Day Monday.

Enter a world of medieval fantasy,a world of knights, maidens, wenches, ,street performers, Lords, Ladies and even Queen Elizabeth I. The cultivated village is a historical port, where the Queen has chosen to visit. The colorful, village is filled with a cast of characters in authentic costumes.

Visitors get into the spirit of the Faire as well. Many visitors arrive dressed in fantasy frocks of a time past. Costumes can be made or assembled at home, or purchased or rented at the Faire. There are all manner of colorful garb seen at the faire. Visitors are encouraged to dress in period costumes and join in the fun, but everyone is certainly welcome to "come as you are".

There are wenches selling wreaths with flowing ribbons for the hair, so it is easy to get into the spirit of the fair by buying a romantic, colorful dried flower wreath and wearing it throughout the day.

When visitors enter through the gate, there are maps of the grounds right inside the gate. It's a good idea to study the map, and plan to get to the shows and shops that are most interesting. There are many shows that take place during certain times of the day, so check the times and locations of the shows you want to see. Daily Events at the Faire include: Opening Gate Ceremonies featuring Robin Hood and Shane the Phoole, Her Majesty's Royal Parade and Progress, Bristol's Spectacular Foole Spectacular. At the end of the day there is a procession, gathering everyone on the grounds and parading out to the gate. for a ending song.

Gallant knights joust on horseback several times a day on one end of the grounds. There are shows, plays, music, dancers, street theater. Around every turn of the dirt road is another merry delight.