Fairest of them all: Traditional celebrations, new libations at Renaissance ArtsFaire

By S. Derrickson Moore, Las Cruces Sun-News, N.M.

Nov. 5--From 25,000 to 30,000 fans are expected to pack Young Park for the Renaissance ArtsFaire Saturday and Sunday.

After 38 years, the Dona Ana Arts Council, which sponsors the event, has some finely honed traditions and fun to offer. Plan to spend a day or two with friends. There are plenty of ways to eat, drink (a wine garden is a new addition this year) and make merry. But if you're a newcomer to Renaissance faires in general, or ours in particular, you might like a few tips about getting the most out of your time travel adventures.

Come in costume if you're in a retro mood, stroll the grounds and join processions with the knights and ladies of the Merry Court of Sherwood Oak and stay to get an insider's view of royal life with the Queen's Bawdy Balladeers, a medieval fashion show or a lesson in court dancing. DAAC's events coordinator Ceci Vasconcellos suggests you might want to spend some time "with the Knights of Amtgard closely guarding from their nearby camp or the Middle Eastern Village gypsy dancers who lure the unsuspecting bystander to join in their hip-notic, irresistible shimmying."

Really retro style

Tights and tunics, floor-length velvet or brocade gowns ... anything Renaissance goes. Chose your class, from peasant to knight or royalty, do a little research online and make your own outfit, rent from a local costume shop like The Gen in Las Cruces or La Vieja in Mesilla, or scout thrift shops and

post-Halloween sales for ideas.

RenSports

Visit the encampment of The Society for Creative Anachronism and see horse games, battles and demonstrations.

Ye olde entertainment

An eclectic roster at three stage areas and venues throughout the park ranges from renowned singer-songwriter and recording artist Tom Russell to jesters, jugglers, magicians, puppeteers and dancers. Musicians will include La Cella Bella, performing contemporary music on their cellos, award-winning New Mexico musician Randy Granger, who sings and plays Native American flute and unique percussion instruments, the guitar and voice duo of Chanson du Soir, Empyre Music, pop band Regardless, singer-songwriter Daniel Park, Nuevo Sol Band, TU'ba Four, New World Drummers, award-winning singer Orlando Jimenez, and dulcimer musician Brother Robert Brown.

Specialty acts include Jester Shawn, magician Chris Mitchell, comedic juggler Jeffrey Daymont, the Magic Impossible, Adrian Empire, Kallen the Juggler, Wise Fool, the Outrageous Theatre Company and a birds of prey exhibition by HawkQuest.

Dancers will include Liliam, Jewells of the Desert, Hellenic Dancers, NMSU Dancers, Pi Yoga Studio Jig Dancers and Gypsy Storydancer Terry Alvarez, plus the Middle Eastern Village gypsy dancers' camp.

Arts and crafts

Southern New Mexico's largest juried art show offers a chance to get a head start on unique gifts for everyone on your holiday list, or for yourself. More than 160 top artists from throughout the United States offer stained glass, pottery and ceramics, photographs, leather goods, jewelry, paintings and drawings, sculpture, toys, musical instruments, textiles, wooden items, wearable art and more.

For the children

The Children's Realm is a large area with interactive games and crafts for kids and a Peddler's Market offering original creations by young artisans. Watch "Too Much Noise," a puppet performance by Wise Fool New Mexico, and juggler Jeffrey Daymont.

Shoot arrows, dig for fossils, feed the alligator, try the Knight's Ring and Dragon Toss games or make your own crown, sword or helmet.

Feast

Pick up a snack or lunch, brunch and dinner at the food court, which offers everything from decadent chocolate desserts to German sausage and green chile stew in homemade bread bowls. Regional nonprofits will fill their coffers and visitors' tummies with a variety of sweet and savory food treats. Favorites include turkey legs, rat-on-a-stick (if it tastes just like chicken, it's because it really is), Navajo tacos, pizza and faire faves like cotton candy, roasted corn and funnel cakes. New this year: Thai food and Fudgepuppy, offering waffle-on-a-stick treats.

Ye New Imperial Wine Garden

St. Clair Winery will host RenFaire's first wine garden. Your ID and $5 buys a bracelet which entitles you to five tastes, or purchase wine by the glass.

Plan a leisurely canoe ride to visit Magellan, the giant dragon who lives in the Young Park lake, a creation of artist Bob Diven.

-- There's a free shuttle. Avoid parking hassles and catch the shuttle near Cineport 10 movie theater at the Mesilla Valley Mall. It runs every 10 to 15 minutes, beginning at 10 a.m. both days.

-- Leave pets at home. Service animals are allowed.

-- Volunteer for a couple of hours and you'll get free admission for both days. Call (575) 523-6403 or e-mail infodaac@daarts.org if you're interested in volunteering.

S. Derrickson Moore can be reached at dmoore@lcsun-news.com

If you go

What: 38th annual Renaissance ArtsFaire

When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Young Park, 1905 Nevada Ave.

Don't miss: More than 160 artisans, live entertainment, singer-songwriter Tom Russell, Merry Court of Sherwood Oak, The Children's Realm, The Society for Creative Anachronism encampment featuring battles and demonstrations, food treats

How much: $5, free for kids 12 and under

Info: (575) 523-6403, infodaac@daarts.org, http://www.las-cruces-arts.org

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