Back to the Renaissance

Wondering what to do this weekend or the next two weekends? How about going back in time 500 years? Until March 28 you can leave behind the troubles of the 21st century for those of the 16th century. At the 2010 Bay Area Renaissance Festival you can experience the more colorful aspects of that bygone era without too much of the drawbacks.

The festival is celebrating its 32nd year in Tampa. The Renaissance hamlet of Fiddlesworth has come alive again on a site next to the Museum of Science and Industry near USF.

New to the Festival this year, the Medieval Monster Museum! Vampires, trolls, fairies and beasts of all descriptions await you in Raptus and Krane's Mythical Monster Museum! Join our Monster Hunters in this new walk through attraction where you will learn about magical beasts of every kind! See the weapons used to strike terror into the hearts of night creatures and discover once and for all that there are such things! A fantastic new exhibit that is a wonder for all ages!

Also new to the Festival is the Pirates Feast. Enter music and mayhem in the galley of the famed Black Pearl Pirate Ship! Make merry with the likes of Captain Tiberius Bedlam and Captain Bêlit. You may be a landlubber when you enter, but you'll be a pirate through and through when you leave! The menu is sure to please even the scurviest mate on board!

All new "Royal Bakery of Fittleworth" will play host to our Queen's Tea for the first time this season. Fun, music and laughter set the stage while guests enjoy the finest teas from around the world, served with hot buttery scones laden with fruit from the Royal Orchards and delicious finger sandwiches. Hand crafted delicacies make for a decadent finish.

The Pirate Krews of Tampa are gathering in Fittleworth to show what they are made of in a battle for high seas treasure! In this first annual gathering, the Krews will fight to the finish in the Bay Area Renaissance Festival Pirate Games including rope climbing, sail raising, plank walking and tug-o-war. Only one Ship's Krew can conquer the games that will claim the title and win the King's bounty.

The food at the Faire is surely one of the most popular stops in any guest's journey back in time. Over the years, the menu has developed to include favorites such as the now famous turkey legs, fish and chips, chicken kabobs and cheesecake on a stick. Additionally, the Faire will offer a wide variety of sandwiches, pork chops on a stick, kettle corn, roasted almonds, and desserts including strawberry shortcake and homemade ice cream as well as a variety of adult beverages, soft drinks and gourmet coffee. To ensure a great day for the whole family as purse strings have shortened, all food items at the festival are $5.00 and under, including our world famous turkey legs.

Friday, March 19th, the Faire will once again host the special school day, with added emphasis on educating the youth of west central Florida.

The enchanting shire of Fittleworth will be host to national and local entertainment acts featuring comedy, music, juggling and stage combat, including: Washing Well Wenches (bawdy clean fun), Johnny Phoenix (comedy, fire and whips!), Demzarrah Gypsies (gypsies, music and dance), Manolete' (Bolas and fire), Emyrs Fleet the Ratcatcher, the Bawdy Boys, Filthy Rotten Scoundrels, Jim Hancock Music (The Master Minstrel), , Pony Rides, a Petting Zoo, Games & Rides and of course full contact armored jousting from War Horse Productions.

The artisans provide an added authenticity through the colorful shoppes that line the lanes of this renaissance setting. Only the finest craftspeople are selected following an extensive artisan jury process. Products include the mediums of glass, metal, leather, stone, pottery, fabric and wood. From these materials are created extraordinary jewelry, toys, weapons, clothing, house wares and adornments. The Barbarian Battles return to Fittleworth! Guests can play for free in the Barbarian Lair with unique padded swords in all shapes and sizes for sale. It's an experience like no other, with a nationwide following of warriors all hooked on this sword fighting phenomenon. Or, as they put it: Rule # 1, Sword Fighting is everything. Rule #2, See rule #1.

IF YOU GO:

WHEN: Weekends now through March 28. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. plus Friday, March 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Next to the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) located at the corner of Fowler Ave and 46th St. in Tampa.

TICKETS: $17.95 for adults, $9.95 for children ages 5-12, senior tickets are $14.95 and children 4 and under are free. Discount offers can be found online for each weekend at www.bayarearenaissancefest.com. Advanced tickets are $13.955 for adults and $5.95 for kids. Advanced tickets can be purchased at participating Circle Ks, Walgreen's, at MOSI and ClicknPrint Tickets or at www.bayarearenaissancefest.com. Parking is free.