Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go to the era of swords, nature, long dresses, and jousting? On October 5 of this year, a few students from the Bellefonte Area High School (BAHS) attended the Mount Hope Renaissance faire where they were able to experience firsthand the wonders of going back in time.
It was freshman Allayna Whitehill’s first time at the Ren Faire and it was one that was memorable.
“We got to see the jousting, Hobb the troll, a magic show, a very short reenactment of a play that I volunteered to be in, and it was an absolutely amazing experience,” Allayna said.
Not only was it Allayna’s first time at Ren Faire, but also sophomore Raven Harter’s.
“This was my first time attending, and it really was a magical experience. Most people dressed up, and the staff and grounds really made you feel like you had just stepped into the Renaissance time period,” Raven said.
While being at the Ren Faire, it gave a sense of being in that time period. Not only Raven felt this, but also Allayna.
“I got to see the jousting. It sort of felt like I was in that time period because of how people talked and dressed, but it didn’t at the same time because there were some modern things,” Allayna said.
The students that attended the Faire were able to learn new tips from the professionals to implement into their own acting careers.
“Over the course of the day, events were held that told a story about a Queen overcoming another and their battle for the crown. As someone interested in theater, it was amazing to see so many talented performers work together to create a dynamic and enthralling story,” Raven said.
At the Ren Faire, it is no surprise that they would have a large variety of different types of food to buy. These include smoked turkey legs, roasted corn on the cob, steak on a stick, assorted cheeses, cheesesteak sandwiches, jerky, ice cream, funnel cakes, and more. There is a popular turkey leg stand that a lot of students typically visit. Junior Makenna Mason decided to try one.
“The turkey was pretty good but didn’t have any seasoning on it, making it feel even more like I was back in time. In hindsight, I probably wouldn’t have spent $12 for it, but it was pretty decently sized and filling,” Makenna said.
Some people decided to go a little bit out of their comfort zone with their food choices. However, others decided to go with simple classics that they knew they would enjoy.
“I had grilled cheese and chips for lunch with a birch beer. A lot of things were really pricey, especially the food and drinks,” Allayna said.
While the main reason for going to Ren Faire was to perform a skit and choral performance in a competition, there was a scheduling mix up and they weren’t able to participate. Fortunately for the students, they were still able to go and simply have a fun filled day in a land they only dreamed of before.
