For those who can't wait for the return of Big Bear Medieval Madness in August, the huge Renaissance Pleasure Faire and Artisans Market that used to be in Devore is celebrating its 46th year at a new location at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area weekends through May 18 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

    Return back to a land where Fantasy Rules. Experience once again a time when knights were noble and ladies were fair at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire. This Faire, the original, has given birth to an industry nationwide and this year is more fun and exciting than ever. Some of the entertainers appear at the Big Bear Renaissance Faire set for August 9-10 and 16-17 at Pedersen's Mill, but others are completely different to offer a different Faire experience.

    Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, a unit of the United States Army Corp of Engineers, maintained and operated by the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation, is located off the Irwindale exit off the 210 Freeway, just east of where the 210 and 605 freeways cross. Ticket prices at the box office are $25 adults, $15 children ages 5-12 (children under 5 are always free) and a discounted price of $22.50 for military, students and seniors (62+). For discount advance tickets please call 877-772-5425 or visit www.RenFair.com and print tickets today at Click-n-Print.

     The Renaissance Faire is a 360-degree re-creation of an Elizabethan English country faire and marketplace in which the spectacle surrounds guests. Where else can you cheer on heroic knights, learn to juggle, chat with William Shakespeare, haggle with a fishwife, and join Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth I, on a grand visit to a bustling 16th century Faire? From the morning antics at the Call O’ Faire show, where the town gates are opened, to the farewell to the Queen at the end of the day, two thousand costumed performers surround faire-goers with entertainment. Swashbuckling Heroes, merry Minstrels, dazzling Daredevils, Belly Dancers, Jugglers, and Colorful Characters of every sort compete for attention on the busy streets and upon the stages offering continuous entertainment throughout the day.

    Several new changes are on tap for 2008 which promise to make the Faire bigger and better than ever. The Faire site boasts a beautiful lake.  In fact, the entire Faire has embraced the concept of a Sea Port Town, Deptford, England.  The Port offers the rare and unusual as treasures from countries all over the world will be and Privateers, Chinese Lords, Moroccan dancers, Indian Princesses and other exotics now roam the town.  Magic, mystery and merriment abound!

    Even many of the performers are new, from whip-cracking master Adam, who holds four world records with his amazing talent, plus Merlin's Magic, Mirth and Imagination. There's Lord Mayor's Show and from the Far East, the Low Chan Lion Dance, an exciting combination of theater, music, history and Kung Fu. Other new performers include the Merry Misfits of Doom, always a hit at Big Bear's Renaissance Faire.

     In addition to continuous entertainment, visitors will find hundreds of artisans and craftspeople selling a wide selection of wares from delicate jewelry to sturdy handmade furniture. The Faire offers a chance for all to watch these Craftsmen, some of the finest in California, practice and create their art. Dozens of these vendors have demonstrations, including glass blowing, papermaking, coin-striking, wood-turning, weaving and bronze fabrication. There are also stuffed animals, metal sculpture, wooden mugs, pottery, fine art, leather masks, and handmade candles.

    Throughout the Faire, revelers can enjoy homemade gourmet food and drink. Five refreshment stands offer a full selection of hearty English and domestic ales, wines from local vintners, domestic beers, hard ciders infused with pear, raspberry and apple, soft drinks and juices.

    Over 75 incredible edibles are offered from our food venders including heaping portions of traditional English fare such as Shepherd’s Pye, Fish and Chips, Toad-in-a-Hole and sausage Bangers. Others provide more exotic foods including Falafel, chocolate dipped berries, fruit ices. New this year are bruchetta, fried ravioli, tamales, pulled pork, fresh cut zucchini and pork ribs. There is also vegetarian cuisine, and healthy choices are available.

    Begun in 1963 in Agoura, near Malibu, to create “living history” for schoolchildren and their families, the California Renaissance Pleasure Faire has grown into an annual interactive playground and gallery for over 200,000 participants and guests. Since its inception more than 5 million people from around the world have visited the California Renaissance Pleasure Faire, averaging approximately 25,000 each weekend.

    Our Central Characters – Be sure to look for these notable characters, appearing in shows or on the streets of Faire...Our noble monarch, Queen Elizabeth I; Our Lord Mayor and his delightful wife, the Lady Phoebe; the adventurous Sir Francis Drake; Don Rafael Juan Carlos Sarcienia de Granada Spain’s dashing deadly swordsman; the lusty Mistress of Misrule; our lovely May Queen and her Revelers; the lusty Brewmaster and his delightfully bawdy Ale Wenches; the exotic denizens of the Trader’s Market; and the immortal Bard himself, Master William Shakespeare.