The 23rd & 24th Annual New York Sterling Forest's Renaissance Faires (2000 & 2001)
Last Updated January 23, 2003

What is a Renaissance Faire?
A Renaissance Faire is a recreation of a Renaissance or Medieval village. They are filled with costumed actors, crafts and games to give patrons the illusion that they have stepped back in time. Each Renaissance Faire is different and can range from single weekend street shows to huge productions which run for several months. The New York Renaissance Faire, for example, features over 125 performances on 20 different stages, 75 costumed actors, and over 100 craftspeople set across 65 acres of the beautiful Sterling Forest. The buildings of the village are permanently built and the grounds are only used for the Faire.

Public Transportation Direct bus transportation is provided by Shortline from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to the Faire. They offer a combined ticket which includes transportation, Faire admission and a program. To contact Shortline for further details, please call 1-800-631-8405 or visit their website. Tickets Tickets can be purchases via the official NY Renaissance Faire website, by phone at: (845) 351-5174 Monday through Friday 9:00 AM through 6:00 PM or from participating ShopRite stores. Group Rates are available for groups of 25 or more. Discount coupons are available through the website or from a participating coupon partner: Wendy's, PC Richard and Son, Blockbuster Video, Courtesy Mobil, Genovese Drug Stores, or Petland stores. Some of these pictures have been submitted to the New York Renaissance Faire 2000 Photo Contest. All photographs © 2000 Robert Mendoza, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Costumes & Garb
Many visitors come in costumes ranging from the simple to the elaborate (and expensivce). Costumes do not have to be of any particular make or time period. The only restriction imposed on costumes is that private parts of the body remain private at least to the coverage that swimwear on a public beach allows and shirts must be worn at all times.

Costumes can also be rented at the faire. Swords and daggers are allowed as long as they are "peace-tied." This means they are sheathed in such a manner as to make them unable to be drawn. They can be restrained using rope, ribbon, leather or other means. Security personnel will check the weapons at the gate and will provide assistance if necessary.

Mabelyn.com at the Renaissance Faire. (P.S. - I bought her that fierce cloak.)

What is a Joust?
A joust consists of two knights upon horseback who gallop at each other. Using long poles called lances, they try to knock each other off their horse. Typically the unhorsed knight is angered by that and often will continue the fight with his sword.

What is Mead?
Mead is the oldest form of alcoholic beverage known to man. It is simply fermented honey made in a similar brewing process as beer. Although some bottlers may call honey-flavored wines "mead", the Chaucer's brand sold at the Faire is a true-brewed mead in the traditional sense.

Group in need of group therapy.

Man in tin can with big sword. Ugh.

Pictures from the 24th Annual New York Sterling Forest's Renaissance Faire (2001)
We were all dressed as civilians this year.

The asses of Dee, Tony, Mabe, Rob and Jason.

All photographs © 2001 Robert Mendoza, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.