Back to the 16th Century
Sword fights, strolling minstrels, jesters and magicians--it’s all part of this weekend’s re-creation of the Elizabethan era at the Ojai Renaissance Festival.
Lake Casitas will abound Saturday and Sunday with performers in 16th-Century costume and artisan displays that will cover the better part of 100 acres.
“This is the first of what we hope will be an annual event,” said organizer Mike Tolin. Festivities include the Pendragon Players and the Red Rose Morris dance troupes performing ancient forms of celebratory dance and a mini-production of the Bard’s “Taming of the Shrew.”
“In addition to all the wandering performers, we’ll have two festival stages with continuous entertainment each day,” Tolin said. There will also be English longbow and Scottish Highlander battle demonstrations, juggling, storytelling and lots of food. “We will have plenty for the kids to do, but this is really entertaining for adults,” Tolin said. “It’s a more bawdy time. There’s a definite fantasy element to it.”
The entrance to Lake Casitas is at Casitas Pass and Santa Ana roads near Casitas Springs. Daily admission is $7, $5 students and senior citizens over 65. Children $4, free under age 3. Parking at Lake Casitas is $1 and overnight camping is available (call 649-2233). For festival information, call 494-1558.
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