The Bristol Renaissance Faire, an event we can't get enough of, opened over the weekend and we headed over on opening day to cram in as much medieval food, music, theater and swordplay as possible. Now in its 23rd year, the Faire features 20 stages inside a 30 acre mock 16th century village filled with hundreds of period performers, actors and artisans. The faire will be open all summer long on Saturdays and Sundays until Labor Day. Even if you're not willing to don a suit of armor or a corset and carry on all day in a mock British accent, Renfair is a great way to spend an afternoon. The entrance fee is a reasonably priced $18.95, most performances are free and the food and games are on the cheaper side (or at least as cheap as any street fest or Cubs game). more ›

We've been wanting to go to the Bristol Renaissance Faire since we first heard about it two summers ago, but our magickal Marin bicycle doesn't travel all the way to Wisconsin. So last weekend we were excited to finally get a ride with a Faire-going friend and spend a few hours walking the grounds, taking photos, and not eating any turkey legs. From the impressively authentic fashions to the funny old + new sights (men in animal pelts sporting leather belt cases for their cell phones, women wearing period costumes ordering teriyaki beef), the Ren Faire is -- to say the least -- an experience. But you'll have to wait until next year to have your own, because this past weekend was the final one of the season. Don't be a sad panda: take advantage of the winter months to assemble a really amazing Renaissance outfit of your own. more ›