Over the weekend, a couple friends and I embarked on one of the greatest college
traditions of all. We took a road trip to a little town for a very big festival.
The long car ride was a pain in the ass. The long walk to the gate was annoying.
Standing in a long line to buy a day pass was not my cup of tea, either. So, I
figured the day could only get better.
It not only got better, but turned out to be one of the best experiences I have
had in a long time.
The Renaissance Festival, an annual tradition in Holly, which runs every weekend
in September, was nothing short of spectacular. The people, the atmosphere and
the shows that were put on were nothing like I had ever seen before.
First off, the people, dressed in their favorite Renaissance outfits were amazing
to see. Walking around, one could easily see that some people would go to extreme
lengths and spend as much money as possible on their outfits, to make the experience
of the festival as real as it could possibly be for not only themselves, but all
who entered the festival’s gates.
And those who wanted a real feel for the festival got one by walking around the
mud-caked paths between each stage and listening to those performing.
One performer in particular was worth the entire $14.95 admission cost. “Ded
Bob,” a skeleton dummy, who talks frank, grabbed the audience by the nose
from moment one and didn’t let go until it was his turn to depart from the
stage. Simply put, he was hilarious, particularly his top ten reasons why he should
be elected the United States President.
His show is not for all ages, however. His adult subject matter had a few parents
and children get up from their seats and walk to another area of the festival.
“Ded Bob” was not the only show to go on during the day. Another particularly
interesting show was watching a man hand-craft a drinking glass. It might not
have been as funny to watch as some of the other shows, and may be boring to some
because of the constant repetition, but damn it was cool to see a blob of glass
being transformed into one of the most elegant drinking glasses I had ever seen.
This proves that there is something at the Renaissance Festival for everyone.
One could easily spend all day and night walking between the numerous stages to
see numerous shows, all of which are as entertaining as the last one. But the
shows are not what this festival is about, even though they are a large part of
it.
No, this festival is about people connecting. People from all walks of life connecting,
for even as long as it takes to walk by one another. The atmosphere connected
the huge crowd of people. In turn, the huge crowd connected the atmosphere in
to one of the most fun and interesting days of the entire year.
It seemed nobody cared who was behind any of the masks worn. It seemed nobody
cared if one wasn’t dressed up in an outfit. It seemed that everyone at the
festival cared about one thing: A chance to discover, or rediscover that part
of ourselves we didn’t know about, or had forgotten about.
The Renaissance Festival comes to a close this weekend, so instead of wondering
what there is to do around Mt. Pleasant, take a road trip to Holly, Mi for the
last weekend of one of the greatest festivals in Michigan. It will prove to be
an experience like no other.

E-mail the author: Shaun ManleyLIFE Et Cetera Writer