Okay, confession time… this adventure happened LAST September and I am only now sitting down to write about it. In my defense, we took so many photos that just picking which ones to show you took me this long (haha… only half kidding).
So! Last fall the hubby, Cody, and I made our second trip to the Maryland Renaissance Festival, and the day we picked just happened to be… Pirate Themed Day. Can I get a WEEOO for that?!
That walk in from the parking field gets me every time. You leave a totally normal Maryland Sunday behind you in the trees… and come out the other side in a sixteenth-century village where EVERYONE is in character. It really does feel magical. I am not exaggerating!
We came prepared
You know it's a serious outing when there are themed nails involved (not mine). And yes, the hubby caught me posing at the wings mural about ten minutes after we walked in (there may have been a cold drink in my hand already… it was warm, don't judge 😉).
See that camera around my neck? That is the real story of this trip. Photography is one of our newer hobbies (street photography especially), and you guys… a Renaissance festival might be the single best place on Earth to practice it. Nobody is camera shy. The cast WANTS to be photographed. Half the visitors are in costumes they worked on for months. It is people watching heaven with a shutter button.
The people. THE PEOPLE.
The hubby and I spent a huge chunk of the day just wandering and shooting… stilt walkers gliding over the crowd, vendors working the lanes in full character, performers who never ONCE broke character no matter what we asked them.
And the candid moments were my favorite part. Two friends in matching butterfly hats, deep in conversation like the rest of the world didn't exist? That is the exact shot street photography was invented for.
About the shows (learn from us!)
Here is the thing nobody tells you before your first visit… the shows are HUGE, they are everywhere, and most of them play out in multiple parts across multiple stages throughout the day. Part one at 11 on one stage, part two at 2 across the village, the finale somewhere else entirely.
It is literally impossible to see every show from start to finish in one day. Trust me, we tried the "wander and catch whatever" method and kept walking up during part three of something amazing (again).
So here is my advice, friend to friend: grab the schedule in the morning, pick a FEW shows you actually care about, and follow them around the park all day like a groupie. And if you only prioritize one thing? Make it the jousting in the main stadium area. Real horses, real armor, real "did that just happen?!" energy. Do not miss it.
The food (and the important mugs)
Momma did not go hungry, I promise you that. The food was great… and every tavern corner looked like a still life waiting to happen. I mean, LOOK at these mugs. I wanted to photograph them almost as much as I wanted what was in them (almost).
Pirate Day did NOT disappoint
Now for the theme of the day. The pirates were EVERYWHERE, you guys. Feathered hats, brocade coats, a full pirate band flying the jolly roger… we even ran into a certain Captain with a very familiar hook (and a mug of his own, because priorities).
The costumes, staff AND attendees, were honestly incredible. People put their whole hearts into this and it shows. We felt a little underdressed in our regular clothes… which is exactly why there is already costume talk happening in this house for next time. Stay tuned 😉
Meanwhile, our littlest crew member…
Cody boy rode in style, as one does. Wagon, snacks, tablet, and his own personal fan. Cody was LIVING HIS BEST LIFE while mommy and daddy chased photos.
Oh, and one more thing before I wrap up. We found him. On Pirate Day, of all days… WE FOUND WALDO.
You're welcome. 😎
The honest tips:
- The shows are multi-part and spread across the whole village. Pick a few and follow them… do NOT try to see everything, you can't.
- Prioritize the jousting in the main stadium area. It fills up, so get there early.
- Bring a camera (or just your phone!). This place is a photographer's playground and everyone is happy to pose.
- One day is not enough. We are planning to go back multiple days this season and I still don't think we'll see it all.
The full album
These sixteen shots are just my storyboard from the day… the full edited set (149 photos!) lives in Lightroom if you want to wander the lanes with us.
View the full Pirate RenFaire album on Lightroom ↗
You can also find it on the Gallery page with the rest of our photo albums.
If a day can be measured by how many times you whisper "look at THAT one" to your favorite person… this one broke our record. See you at the faire this fall. I'll be the ones in pigtails with the cameras!
We will see you in the next adventure!
Girl in Pigtails