This past weekend was the first weekend of the Brevard Renaissance Festival. My first experience with a Renaissance Fair was when I was in college in 1997 or 1998. That was at the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire in Gainesville, Florida. This was a two weekend event with all the typical renfair stuff...music, jousting, various other forms of entertainment, food and more. Even after graduating and moving away, we would trek there each year. It's about a three and a half hour drive from where I live now. We did this for a number of years, typically driving up for just one day and driving back. We did this until about 7 years ago.
Seven years ago was the inaugural Brevard Renaissance Fair. This renfair was much closer to me. It was also a two weekend event and that first year we went to both the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire and the Brevard Renaissance Fair. But that was the last year we made that long 3.5 hour trek to Gainesville. Over the next few years the Brevard Renaissance Fair expanded from two weekends to three, then four and finally five weekends. It runs from the second weekend in January through the first Weekend in February. It happens to overlap the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire and while of course there are unique performers at each, it's so much easier to buy a season pass at just stay at my "home" fair.
There are a few things that have made this year's event a little disappointing. First off, one of my favorite bands and one that has been at the Brevard Renaissance Fair every year until now could not make it this year. Nothing to do with COVID, they just had an injured drummer and the replacement has not had enough practice time to learn the songs yet. One or two other performers are also missing this year for various reasons. In addition, a lot of the kids stuff seems to be missing this year. There are typically a handful of rides for the kids (manually operated of course, this being a renaissance fair and all) but they are not there this year (or at least were not the first weekend). They also changed up the kind of beer they offered with this year's choices being not as good. I don't know if it is a supply chain issue or a permanent change. Speaking of supply chain issues, those led to passes not being printed on time (lack of appropriate printer apparently), mugs not being available until the third weekend (free mug with season pass!), and even credit card purchases being largely unavailable, at least for the first weekend. But despite all this, I still had a blast the first weekend with plenty to see and do.
Cu Dubh
Upon arriving shortly after the opening, we went straight back to see Cu Dubh (pronounced 'Coo-Doo'). To describe them, I really can do no better than to post their description from Faceb**k:
The sounds of ancient thundering war drums and skirling dual bagpipe like you’ve never heard before. Tribal warrior music at its best, The warrior music lives on through a new generation. This is true Old School Heavy Metal music. Viking. Pagan. Celt. Raider. Lover. Fighter. Like a boot to the head: thunderous crack with ringing harmonies. Music for the warrior in all of us. Grab your sword and go.From the Highlands of Scotland, Gaul, Galicia, Norway, Brittney, Ireland, Wales, Germany. Raise a glass to your health. The Warriors are coming. The Old Ways are Back. The long boat is here. The Runes have been cast. The tribe is back. The wolves are loose.
Brought to you by musicians who have dedicated their entire lives to the study and knowledge of music. The music is hot, the drums are pounding and the pipes are screaming. The pulse is throbbing, the blood is quick and the battle is good.
There's nothing like medieval heavy metal peformed with bagpipes and drums.
Next up was a Gopher Tortoise, the mascot of the fair. Ok, not really... The park that this renfair is held in is home to a variety of wildlife including many gopher tortoises. These are considered an endagered species but you would never know it if this park was your guide.
Sirena
Ok, really next up for us was Sirena. The members of this group take on the role of sirens loved and feared by sailors everywhere. Their songs generally follow that theme and there music is more haunting that hard rock.
The Jackdaws
As you can probably tell by now, it's primarily the music I'm interested in experiencing when I go to a renfair. Next up was the Jackdaws. This is a band that you might find in an Irish pub somewhere. They play both traditional classics and original music (something that can generally be said about most musical performers here).
The Wayward Bards
Next up was the Wayward Bards. They added an accordion to the mix for a unique sound. As a side note, one of the members of Wayward Bards and one of the Members of Sirena are also part of a group called Music The Gathering. Sadly they weren't there as a group this year as they are one of my favorite regulars the the Brevard Renaissance Fair but hopefully they'll be back next year.
Cast In Bronze
Cast In Bronze was at a previous Brevard Renaissance Fair several years ago and he made a return this year. There aren't many places you can see a carillon. The original heavy metal with 4 tons of bells.
Randal Piper (and others) at the pub sing
From an entertainment perspective, the best part of the day is the pub sing at the end of the day. This is an opportunity to see a variety of performers, maybe even a few you didn't catch throughout the rest of the day. On Saturday, it kicked off with Randal Piper with some help from Pride of Ireland and a couple members of Music the Gathering...or one from the Wayward Bards and one from Sirena...
Boom Boom Shake at the pub sing
Continuing the pub sing entertainment was Boom Boom Shake. This was an act I had never seen before but I made sure to catch them again the next day.
They frequently mix things up at the pub sing...here we have part of the Wayward Bards with a member of Sirena.
Aaron Bonk at the pub sing
This was Aaron Bonk's 2nd year at the Brevard Renaissance Fair. His normal show is the Fire Whips and Swords Show but he still gave the crowd a song at the pub sing.
Sirena at the pub sing
Sirena also performed a song at the pub sing. There was more but it started getting too dark to take a half way decent photo with my phone.
I'll have plenty of videos to post too eventually. I say eventually because I haven't even gotten around to posting videos from last years show yet.
All photos were taken by my with my Samsung Galaxy S20+.