Renaissance Festival

Instead of writing this post in chronological order, I split it up into sections – costume, food, and entertainment.

COSTUME

Sunday we went to the Renaissance Festival. In the past, going to the festival meant getting up early, trying to get dressed with enough of a costume that I could go out in public but not so much costume that I couldn’t drive, packing up the rest of my costume to change in the parking lot and a change of clothes for the drive home, and generally getting out the door way later than intended.  It was actually a relief to be pregnant. My doctor said I could wear a corset if I didn’t wear it tight. However, my pirate corset is the smaller of the two and I don’t know if I’d be able to wear it loose. But the main reason I chose not to wear it is because my tummy doesn’t like pressure right now. I’ve avoided wearing a belt lately and I won’t let Aaron touch my tummy. So a corset just didn’t sound like a good idea. No surprise, Aaron didn’t want to dress up either.

 Of course despite our plans, it didn’t stop me from thinking about my costume as I was falling asleep.  Actually I started out thinking about taking the camera, and wondered where I’d put it since I haven’t been wearing a belt. I thought maybe I’d dig out my costume belt, since that was comfortable and could hold a lot of stuff. It could hold my pouch for cell phone, ID, and money, and it could hold a water bottle, mug, and of course the camera. Then I thought, if I can wear my costume belt, I could also wear my pirate boots. And really, I suppose I could wear the costume shirt untucked from the skirt, and that would look okay without the corset. And maybe I could find a bodice or vest when I got to the festival to wear instead of a corset.

When I woke up, the reality was that the costume belt would be worse on my tummy than a regular belt. Plus a costume was just too much work. I went with jeans and my “Official Kilt Inspector” t-shirt. Instead of trying to fit a bunch of stuff on my regular belt and in my pockets, it all went into the small bookbag. The bookbag is small enough that I don’t have a problem carrying it, and of course, it doesn’t bother my tummy.

Arriving sans costume didn’t stop me from looking for a bodice or vest. After all, I still have Halloween and a few conventions between now and March. The first piece I found was a gorgeous silk long vest. I tried it on, but the lacing started too far over my belly. It would have been okay for today, but it wouldn’t have worked when I get more pregnant. Plus the fabric already looked tight and bunched.  At the end of the day I went back to the same shop and tried on a brocade vest. It was a similar style, but cut shorter. I didn’t think it would work since the lacing was the same length. But Aaron urged me to try it on. It actually fit a lot better. I think because it was brocade, it provided enough support to lift my boobs up a bit, so the lacing could be worn higher. The brocade didn’t bunch up like the silk, and looked more flattering. I should be able to wear it with the lacing loose, and still have it look good. The best part is that it is a brownish-orange fabric, and should look good with either my pirate or steampunk outfit.

FOOD

So I arrived at the festival hungry. Not a good idea. On the best of days, I have a hard time finding decent food at the festival. Arriving hungry meant nothing sounded remotely decent, and I was getting queasy. Luckily I was happy to know exactly where to find something to drink. Hard cider, pop, and lemonade are the usual beverages of choice at the festival. Since I’m avoiding those, normally I’d be stuck with water.  However, several years ago we had found a vendor that sells iced herbal tea -no caffeine, no sweeteners, and tasty enough to enjoy. While I drank my tea, we walked past every food vendor in the place before I decided on corned beef. I have no idea why I thought this was a good idea. I’ve had the corned beef before and it’s not very good.  It is also loaded with sodium. And as I was eating it, I decided it probably qualified as “deli meat” that I’m not supposed to eat.  But now that I had something substantial in my stomach, I had to go get a frozen banana. I had every intention of getting it plain. But the price includes a coating and a topping. I settled on chocolate and Reeses cups. At least that tasted good. I also noticed they sold a “limey on ice” drink that was offered unsweetened, sweetened, or cherry flavor.  Another drink option!  I came back later and tried the unsweetened version. Just like sucking on a lime. I came back again and got a refill of “half sweet,” which I think worked out the best. While discussing the banana topping option of bacon, the vendor said his coworker recommended peanut butter coating with bacon topping. I wish I had known that sooner. It would have been perfect, because all three ingredients are stuff that I can eat.  Sadly I didn’t get a chance to try it. I also managed to eat some beef stew and my usual chocolate covered cheesecake on a stick. I wish I could have found some regular food more appetizing. But I’m happy to say that I kept hydrated in the heat and humidity.

ENTERTAINMENT

We picked this weekend to go to the festival because the band Albannach was performing. Albannach consists of a bagpipe player and 4 drummers from Scotland, and they are so much fun to watch.  Fortunately they were scheduled 4 times throughout the day for a half hour show, and only their first show had a different performance scheduled on the same stage prior to theirs. This worked out to our advantage, because we could arrive a half hour early and get a good seat. The last time we saw Albannach, we arrived early but there was a different group performing. We found seats, at least, and intended to get closer between performances. Only that didn’t work out so well. This time we had no problem getting a seat when we arrived early. Of course, we didn’t arrive early until the third performance.  When the first performance started, I was eating the chocolate covered frozen banana while Aaron went to the privy. I left my waiting spot and headed toward the music. Surprisingly, the Boar’s Head across from the Market Stage wasn’t packed and I easily found a seat. The Boar’s Head was close enough that I could hear the music well, but I couldn’t see the band. I sat at the back and watched for Aaron. He instinctively knew to head for the music too.

We were eating food again when we realized it was time for Albannach’s second performance. We hurried over as they started playing, and again had to find seats at the Boar’s Head. This time we got the closest seats in the Boar’s Head. I was able to take a few pictures by standing on the seat. These seats allowed us to people-watch since there was a big isle between the Boar’s Head and the back of the Market Stage area. The merchandise table was set up nearby too, so that helped. I loved seeing all the different tartan patterns on the kilts that walked by.

Aaron paid attention to the time and got us back over to the Market Stage at 2:00 for the 2:30 show. People were already sitting in the first few rows, but we were able to get good seats. The short performance time was good, because the benches were really hard, and I needed a walk after sitting for an hour. Of course the short performance time was also good because I sucked down 2 limeys on ice before the show, and felt the need to find a privy by the second song. So instead of dancing in my seat, which made the feeling worse, I sat calmly and took pictures. But I smiled big and clapped loud, and made a beeline for the privy when it was over.

Since we had managed to see them once and listen to them 3 times, we called the day a success. After a little bit more shopping, including my vest, we decided to head home early before the crowd. It worked out well, because I didn’t have to sit in traffic in the parking lot waiting to leave, and I was able to make it all the way back to Greenbelt before the gas gage dinged at me to tell me it was empty. Gas was more expensive in Crownsville than Greenbelt.  

Other pictures we took at the festival can be found here: http://hooppics.shutterfly.com/12047