Much Ado About Cardigans

Me, Becky, and Brigett strike a pose!

Me and my crew made our first trip to Much Ado About Sebastopol a couple of weeks ago.  Goody McMannis, my friend Brigett, and my mom Tammy accompanied me to check out this faire that is also a fundraiser for the local schools.  The faire had a few high points, since there were some dedicated rennies there who tried to add a historic bent to the event, but overall it is more a school fundraiser than an actual commercial Renaissance faire.  I will continue to watch this fledgling event, but it is certainly not quite a legitimate faire right now.

However, the idea of faire as fundraiser is very familiar to me.  Twelve years ago, I was student body president at my K-8th grade elementary school (a tiny thing of about 60 kids).  Of course, with great power came great responsiblity: I needed to fundraise, and I was determined to blow my small-time school away!  So, as a Renaissance faire enthusiast, there was no better option than putting on my own Renaissance faire.  My mother was my assistant, sous chef, and all-around best friend, and without her my faire never would have had a sliver of a chance.  We spent nearly every day for months prepping for the fundraiser, from crafting flower crowns to making peanut brittle.  It was a rousing success, making an unheard-of $1000 for the school.  The problem with MAAS, unfortunately, is that it is only somewhat above my long-ago pet project.  I will never forget the fun and empowerment that came from putting on my own Renaissance faire.  But as an Elizabethan hobbyist and not a community member or school parent, Sebastopol is not the faire for me.

My faithful helper, my mom!  Looking scandalous in our undies!

That doesn't mean that we had a bad time, however!!  The four of us had a great time hanging out, watching the court, and meeting and talking with other faire lovers.  Without further delay, here are some pictures of our day at MAAS:

The secret?  My black & white waistcoat is a cardigan from Target!!!!  I got so many compliments all day!

Turn to the left!  Check out that bumroll!

I paired my cheater waistcoat with my gray linen petticoat, high-necked shirt, coif, and straw hat.  If you look closely you can see my Elizabethan Costume favor!

Next up: our annual trip to the Northern California Renaissance Faire, the faire of all faires, my first love!  We will be going the whole weekend and I can't wait to celebrate Oktoberfest in the 16th century.  Farewell until this weekend! 

Working girls, Goody McMannis and I!  Waistcoats and petticoats are always a good combo.

Unfortunately, our post-faire meal was mediocre too!