Behind the towering front gates at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, participants are swiftly moving into their places, finishing their breakfast, preparing to entertain and, most importantly, traveling back in time.
It's 9 a.m., just moments before the faire is scheduled to open, and SF State senior Kerri Guse, a member of the peasants guild, is dressed and ready to go.
She strides calmly down the main dirt road that winds through the faire, and as the guests begin to stream into the late 15th century Elizabethan world, Guse approaches the front of the park where the mood is lively.
Impromptu dances have begun, and even at this early hour mugs of alcoholic mead are being passed around to participants. Guse quickly joins in the festivities and blends into a reel dance with other peasants and gentry of the faire.
Guse, like many students and working professionals, puts her life on hold for six weekends every summer through October.
She attended the faire for the first time last year, and after some coaxing by a friend decided to become a part of the festivities.
"A lot of people here are performance majors, but there is such a range of what you can do, so many different levels of entertaining," the psychology major said.
The faire is designed to let participants and guests role-play and observe what the life for commoners and royalty may have been like 400 years ago.
In many ways it often seems the paying guests are a side note to the activities. As opposed to other theme parks, the Renaissance Faire has an abundance of entertainers and players mingling through the crowds.
The participants are familiarized with the era through workshops on the costumes and some basic history and Elizabethan English lessons. Many camp for the weekend in a stark dirt parking lot adjacent to the main faire site.
Arising at dawn and changing into their outfits, the players take a few hours to slip into character, but veterans of the faire seem to awaken with an English accent.
The day is filled with dancing, skits, group songs, jousting and novelty booths.
"People take this very seriously," Guse said. "But I just do it for fun, and to meet people."
Low cut dresses, flowing skirts and poet's blouses are the regular attire. The guild you are involved with will determine the costume you wear. Pewter goblets tied to belts are a must in the sweltering Napa Valley.
Guse said she will gladly participate in future years, but said she will remain casual about her involvement.
"Some people here are really dedicated to it, touring like Deadheads -- it's their life," she said.
As the park begins to close, participants prepare for a night of partying in the Elizabethan setting, but most will change into their regular clothes.
"By the end of the day, you're dying to take those clothes off." Guse said.
[ Golden Gater Online October 31, 1995 ]
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