Photos: Medieval Gowns, Jousting And Vanity Plates At Illinois' RenFair
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Yoman Throtwart (which we suspect is a pseudonym) has been coming to the RenFair from Southwest Michigan since 2005.
![Yoman Throtwart (which we suspect is a pseudonym) has been coming to the RenFair from Southwest Michigan since 2005.]()
Gina and Gigi from Palo Hills, IL, have been coming to the RenFair for six years. This year, for the first time, they brought baby Bella.
![Gina and Gigi from Palo Hills, IL, have been coming to the RenFair for six years. This year, for the first time, they brought baby Bella.]()
A troupe of singers singing dirty songs.
![A troupe of singers singing dirty songs.]()
Bobby (from Inverness) and Katie (from Palatine) have been to too many RenFairs to count. Katie did their makeup.
![Bobby (from Inverness) and Katie (from Palatine) have been to too many RenFairs to count. Katie did their makeup.]()
Maryanne—from Sacramento, CA—was visiting the RenFair for the first time.
![Maryanne—from Sacramento, CA—was visiting the RenFair for the first time.]()
![Maryanne's hat.]()
One of the fair's iconic turkey legs.
![One of the fair's iconic turkey legs.]()
This Mushroom Cauldron is a cult food hit. People buy the juices from the bottom and take them home to make a sauce for noodles.
![This Mushroom Cauldron is a cult food hit. People buy the juices from the bottom and take them home to make a sauce for noodles.]()
The announcer of Sunday's joust, who went by "Lady of Chivalry."
![The announcer of Sunday's joust, who went by "Lady of Chivalry."]()
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A vegan clothing store model.
![A vegan clothing store model.]()
A man working at a potter's wheel.
![A man working at a potter's wheel.]()
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Susan and Francesca, from Logan Square in Chicago, are visitng the RenFair for their fourth time.
![Susan and Francesca, from Logan Square in Chicago, are visitng the RenFair for their fourth time.]()
Jacqueline (left) cosplays under the name Glitterqueen and has been coming to the RenFair for 10 years. It's the first RenFair for Lauren (right).
![Jacqueline (left) cosplays under the name Glitterqueen and has been coming to the RenFair for 10 years. It's the first RenFair for Lauren (right).]()
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From left to life: Rodger, Alicia, Ryan and Kimber. Kimber jokes she's been attended RenFairs for 500 years. "I look great for my age!"
![From left to life: Rodger, Alicia, Ryan and Kimber. Kimber jokes she's been attended RenFairs for 500 years. "I look great for my age!"]()
Shaun, from a galaxy far, far away, is visiting RenFair for his second year.
![Shaun, from a galaxy far, far away, is visiting RenFair for his second year.]()
One of the fair's assorted sprites.
![One of the fair's assorted sprites.]()
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Cody and Diana, from Chicago. Cody's been coming to RenFair since he was a kid.
![Cody and Diana, from Chicago. Cody's been coming to RenFair since he was a kid.]()
Annie Lesser
4 hours ago
Resolve
Audrina from Milwaukee told Chicagoist this year is her first RenFair she can remember, but her mom said she came to one when she was three months old, too.
![Annie Lesser
4 hours ago
Resolve
Audrina from Milwaukee told Chicagoist this year is her first RenFair she can remember, but her mom said she came to one when she was three months old, too.]()
Kiata and Pheobis—from Wisconsin and Minnesota, respectively—have been coming to the fair for eight years.
![Kiata and Pheobis—from Wisconsin and Minnesota, respectively—have been coming to the fair for eight years.]()
Queen Elizabeth making knights and ladies of kids in the fair's Kids Zone.
![Queen Elizabeth making knights and ladies of kids in the fair's Kids Zone.]()
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Aaron, from Lemont, is at RenFair for the first time.
![Aaron, from Lemont, is at RenFair for the first time.]()
A sprite sits on top of a pub.
![A sprite sits on top of a pub.]()
Abbey (left) is introducing Kellan to RenFair. It's Abbey's third time at the festival, and Kellan's first. Both are from Chicago.
![Abbey (left) is introducing Kellan to RenFair. It's Abbey's third time at the festival, and Kellan's first. Both are from Chicago.]()
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Erin, from Milwaukee, is at the BrisRenFair for the first time.
![Erin, from Milwaukee, is at the BrisRenFair for the first time.]()
From left to right: Isaak, Jacqueline, Judy, Morgan and Kiana. All of them are RenFair first-timers except Kiana, who's been four times.
![From left to right: Isaak, Jacqueline, Judy, Morgan and Kiana. All of them are RenFair first-timers except Kiana, who's been four times.]()
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Adam "Crack" Winrich does his famous fire whip show.
![Adam "Crack" Winrich does his famous fire whip show.]()
People learn a new dance.
![People learn a new dance.]()
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Katie, who travels to RenFair from Wisconsin, has worked there for the past seven years.
![Katie, who travels to RenFair from Wisconsin, has worked there for the past seven years.]()
All the rides at RenFair are man-powered, including this one.
![All the rides at RenFair are man-powered, including this one.]()
At the Bristol Renaissance Faire—or, as it's more commonly known, RenFair—the old world meets the new on the Illinois-Wisconsin border. Midwesterners dress up in floor-length gowns, frock coats and, occasionally, Star Wars costumes, and eat turkey legs purchased with credit cards.Credit cards aside, though, the 30-acre festival really does feel like it's from another era, as we learned this past weekend—the opening weekend of the fest's 2016 season. There's jousting and a "fire whip show"; the rides are exclusively man-powered. There are even some sprites wandering around, surreal relics of an era Earth never even had.
Chicagoist photographer Annie Lesser checked out the fun, and you can go and check out RenFair yourself, too, for the rest of the summer. It's open Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day until September 5.
