Fantasy is in store at Canterbury Renaissance Faire

Those attending the Canterbury Renaissance Faire in Silverton on July 25-26 might need to brush up on their language skills.

The fair is held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and includes a mix of Renaissance fantasy role players, vendors in period costumes, and entertainers, many of whom speak a familiar but distant language. Someone may be greeted with "good e'en," meaning "good evening," or "fare-thee-well," meaning "goodbye." You might meet a maiden and her lady-in-waiting (noble woman), but hopefully not a cutpurse (thief).

The fair is held in a shaded oak grove on Mt. Angel Highway NE. There is a variety of entertainers, including musicians, magicians, dancers, and the popular jousting and sword fighting show by the Imperial Knights.

While it isn't required to come in Renaissance-era attire, many of those who attended July 18 said it brings an additional level of participation and enjoyment to the event. One vendor even rents costumes near the entrance.

Tayisia Burkoff drove from Spokane, Washington, to attend the Canterbury Renaissance Faire as a lady-in-waiting with her sister Val Langlois, from Silverton.

"Last year, I went to my first Renaissance fair in Spokane, and it was a wonderful, wonderful fair," Burkoff said, imitating the dialect of the period. "This lady-in-waiting outfit was done in four, maybe six hours, give or take a little."

While she enjoyed the festival, she said organizers should consider adding an educational component to the event.

Bryan Wolcott came with the street performance group The Rat-Catchers to play games with children. He said a Renaissance fair isn't about education, but fantasy.

"Everyone is having a blast," he said. "These are really fantasy fairs. People come to enjoy the fair and just enjoy themselves."

Some of the most popular vendors were those selling swords, knives, armor and other period tools and weapons. Paul Aaron, a Phoenix, Arizona, vendor and metal artist who travels to Renaissance fairs across the country, said people have a certain fascination with ancient weapons.

"They are decorative, and you can put them on a wall or take them to shows," he said. "I do have fully functional swords. Men love weapons, and a lot of women love weapons. I think it comes from people's desire to protect themselves, but also live out a fantasy they only see in the movies."

Canterbury Renaissance Faire

When: Continues Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost: Adults, $14 per day or $24 for the weekend; children 6-12 and seniors, $11/day or $20/weekend; children 5 and younger, free.

Where: 6118 Mt. Angel Highway NE, Silverton.

Online: www.canterburyfaire.com