Off to the Faire!

I haven't been to a Renaissance Faire since college, so I'm really looking forward to Saturday, when I'm going to the Sherwood Forest Faire with my writing partner Aaron, his wife, and our kids. We studied the Renaissance not too long ago, so I know Catherine will get a kick out of it, and the littlest one will be enamored of those giant turkey legs (yes, giant turkey legs are my primary memory of my last faire — that and the jousting).

So, I was poking around on the website and found this: "Authenticity

While mixing medieval with renaissance, history with fantasy, and when absolutely necessary, providing a concealed modern convenience (i.e., flushing toilets) we seek to be the real thing and to provide as authentic an aesthetic as possible." Then I followed the picture links and found a green fairy and a puck-like fairy. Not that I'm complaining, but I'm thinking the lack of authenticity goes beyond flushing toilets. Or maybe I'm just daft about that whole are-fairies-real-thing?

But seriously, though, I'm really looking forward to some escapism. The entertainment line-up sounds amazing, as does the shopping (will NOT buy, will NOT buy, okay, I'll probably buy….). There's theater and jousting and a special kids section. And for the last two days it's been cool around Austin, so it's possible we won't melt into piles of goo by the time the day's over. Always a plus!

So how about y'all? Any RenFaire fans out there? Any advice for a novice? What do we want to be sure not to miss? And great stories to share?