The closest thing to having a time machine is to step back into the past and experience a "living history" event/festival such as the Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire!!!
The Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire was founded in March of 2002 at St. Anne's Church in Bellview by Steven Melei and Family, the local SCA Shire of Arenal and all those who love history and volunteered and worked this festival as a "LABOR OF LOVE". The faire had to move from St. Anne's after Hurricane Ivan in 2004 as the grounds were destroyed. The faire was moved to the Pensacola Interstate Fairgrounds after that and has remained ever since! The faire essentially attempts to recreate the faires and festivals once held by Renaissance era Royalty who would periodically hold these events to keep the population happy and continuing their support of this Royalty.
This "historical re-enactment festival" is primarily established for the promotion of the Renaissance historical period of European history. Such history crosses over to our own American history as the first official settlement of America by Europeans occurred during the Renaissance. As Pensacola was the first attempted settlement of what would later become the United States by Renaissance era Europeans, it is an appropriate setting for a festival celebrating the Renaissance!
Goals of the faire include maining promoting "FUN" for all as the King commands it!!! Other goals include inspiring the youth of today and others to appreciate this historical period and spur them to research their own historical roots. A further goal is to encourage those youths and others to get out from in front of the "X-Box" & "Boob Tube/Television" and get outdoors and participate in living history.
The public deserves great thanks as without them, the faire would not be. The public's love for the faire has been responsible for its continuation, growth and success. Because of public support, the faires shall continue!
There are many acts and entertainment that occurs at the Renaissance Faire! These acts are similar to what a local resident might have seen at a Renaissance era faire. Jousting Knights, Fire Breathers, Jesters, Jugglers, Renaissance Theatre/Shakespeare, Magicians, Sword Swallowers, Renaissance Dancers, Gypsy Dancers, Irish Dancers, Puppeteers, Blacksmiths, Falconers and Much More! There is always four stage areas with constant entertainment, seriously, CONSTANT! We dub it "Short Attention Span Theatre" because there is always some entertainment going on somewhere/everywhere you look so there is no time to get bored!!!!
The headlining act is the Jousting Knights! Our Knights are the "Knights of Valour" all the way from Canada! They are the Olympic equivalent as the Canadian National Jousting Team and perform FULL CONTACT TOURNAMENT STYLE JOUSTING! This Jousting is REAL!! It is not a show, life and limb are in peril at every Joust!!!!! The Jousters use this as practice for the jousting tournaments they participate in all around the world!! Jousting is best described as "Medieval Demolition Derby"!
Come one and all to the Renaissance Faire as it is made just for YOU!!!
Call (877)429-8462
Gulf Coast Renaissance Faire
Office Address: 3603 Mobile Hwy
Pensacola, FL 32505
gcrenfaire@aol.com
