Cruzing Chicagoland: The Bristol Renaissance Faire

Mention that you’re visiting a Renaissance Faire and you’ll be met with a couple of different reactions. One of them is a raised eyebrow and a slightly alarmed look. That usually comes from someone who thinks of a Ren Faire as a weird Star Trek-ish convention for 16th century fanatics. (No offense to the lovely @dearbadkitty, who is a Trekkie.)

The other reaction is a wide-eyed, “I’m so excited for you” expression of happiness. That one comes from someone who has been to a Ren Faire.

I took my trusty sidekick Michelle with me to do a “Cruzing Chicagoland” video shoot at the Bristol Renaissance Faire, which is located on the Wisconsin side of the Wisconsin/Illinois border, just off I-94. The season doesn’t begin until July 9th, but the folks there were kind enough to arrange for one of the performers (who has portrayed the real, historical character Jane the Phoole for twenty years!) to meet us there in full costume (which was amazing in itself), ready to be on camera talking about the Faire for as long as we needed.

And she was wonderful. (Everyone there was!) Michelle and I had a great time learning about the Ren Faire and it only took about five minutes for us to look at each other and start trying to figure out when we could bring our families there, together.

I could go on and on about it, but I think you’ll enjoy watching Jane the Phoole (who, if you close your eyes and listen, sounds very much like Russell Brand!) a little bit more. And before you wonder, yes, I will be assembling a blooper reel from the extra footage.