The long car ride was worth it: My two friends and I had made it to a gorgeous area at Lake Anna Winery, Spotsylvania which held the Renaissance faire. There were all sorts of tents and colorful people all around us. Happy, jolly folk selling corset-type dresses (SO BEAUTIFUL, BUT PROBABLY EXTREMELY TIGHT), handmade leather books, gorgeous hats
and a variety of jewelry and chain mail.
There were a few sightings of Game of Thrones merchandise (which is awesome). We traveled all over the rather large faire, stopping near the cute shopping tents, watching jousting events,
and petting some of the greyhounds in the greyhound tent (Seriously! They had a personal greyhound tent. FUN FACT: Greyhounds became a symbol of the aristocracy and upper class during the Renaissance because they almost became extinct during the Middle Ages), and stopping by to see a variety of shows put on by the people hired by the faire. There were musicians, fire jugglers, and aerial gymnastics.
We even met Captain Jack Sparrow and Gandalf the Grey!
The heat during the day was almost unbearable, but the unique and fun atmosphere and the cheerful patrons of the faire helped keep our spirits high. All in all, I highly recommend visiting some Renaissance faires in the future. Who knows, you might end up meeting your one and only Robb Stark near the stocks. (and hopefully avoid any Red Wedding-type scenes near any Renaissance-age executioners).
*some pictures are credited to Jill Tremblay