Notes on the Dickens Fair

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Clik here to view.I went with a friend to the Dickens Fair this past weekend; if you’ve got a spare $25 handy and like Victorian mummery, it’s not a bad place to hang out. There’s shows and random, wandering actors and things, but mostly there are tons of ye olde timey arts and crafts vendors. I’d show you some pictures of their work, but they all had signs up asking patrons to please not photograph their shit. I understand of course. Counterfeiting isn’t just a problem for haute couture anymore, but also for people who paint eggshell ornaments, or scary half-masks.

The main thing I like to do at the fair is just sit down and soak in the atmosphere. How often does a person get a chance to visit a place where so much effort has been expended to recreate a specific time and place? Granted, it’s a bit sanitized — there’s no smoking, no horses, and only a modest amount of child labor — but I prefer the edited version. (Anyone intent on engaging in a more authentic sort of experience runs the risk of catching some of the era’s more popular bacilli, and would need a time machine in any case.

Speaking of time travelers, I’m happy to say we spotted a few. The lady in the TARDIS cap was a little surprising. The other lady dressed as the Tenth Doctor was not surprising, but was delightful. And as for the Episode 4 era storm trooper … I don’t think I can explain that one. (Again, I wish I had pictures for you, but I won’t take a photo of someone without their permission and, well, I’m a bit shy about asking.) Incidentally, dressing up as the Doctor is always appropriate no matter what historical re-enactment you happen to attend, isn’t it?

Overall, I’d have to say that I completely understand the appeal of the Dickens Fair, Ren Fests, and community theater. When done right, they offer escapist entertainment unmatched by all but the best films. Everybody needs to get away for a while, don’t they?

Hey, it was either this or camping.

Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.