Spring Break
Renaissance Faire: Shopping, food and fun for moms
Robin Canfield
Barometer Staff Writer
"It's like a big mall," said Memorial Union Program Council (MUPC) Renaissance Faire Director Craig Robbins. There will be 81 vendors set up on the Memorial Union Brick Mall from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
Most of the vendors are from Oregon, many come from Eugene, and a few have also made the trip from Idaho.
The majority of the vendors' booths will be dealing in arts and crafts such as pottery and necklaces.
"The handmade crafts are the core," Robbins said. These are items that also make great gifts, so consider sneaking back to a booth or two when your mom isn't looking.
Other booths in the Quad will offer food. While arts and crafts may fit in well with a Renaissance Faire, the title will not limit the variety of food available. Offerings will range from the popular Kettle Korn to Cajun food.
The Faire is a little light on the entertainment side.
"Because of the lack of space it's hard to find anything else to do," Robbins said.
One local group, however, will be on hand to perfectly exemplify the title of the fair.
The Freehold of Turris Nimborum is a student club at Oregon State University that specializes in recreating the Middle Ages and the Renaissance of Western Europe. They will be set up in the North-East corner of the MU Quad.
Members of the Freehold as well as members of Benton County's Shire of Coeur du Val will be on hand in period dress. They will perform different types of fighting and dancing, and will present art and science exhibits.
The group members will be at the fair the entire time, and at 5 p.m. will retreat to the OSU Peavy Arboretum for a night of gaming and feasting.
Shopping time begins at 9:30 Saturday morning. There will be food, drink, many different crafts and you can stop by on your way to one of the many other events taking place for Mom's Weekend.
Robin Canfield is a reporter for Diversions. He can be reached at canfeilr@onid.orst.edu.
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