The Bristol Renaissance Faire was founded in 1972 by Richard Shapiro and his wife Bonnie as “King Richard’s Faire”. The event was a four-weekend fair and drew approximately 10,000 people.^[1]

In 1988,^[2] the Shapiros sold the fair to Renaissance Entertainment Corporation, having created a second incarnation of the King Richard’s Faire in Carver, Massachusetts. The original King Richard’s Faire was re-opened that year as the “Bristol Renaissance Faire”. The reigning monarch became Queen Elizabeth I rather than the fictional “King Richard“, and the year was set at 1574. At that time, the fair played seven weekends and drew over 200,000 visitors annually,^[1] thus placing it among the highest attended in the world.^[3] Renaissance faire staples such as jousting tournaments, historical reenactments, and stage shows continue.

It was my first time at the Renaissance Faire and I was skeptical initially. My friend wanted to go so I went along with her but was not super stoked about it. Well, I had to admit I was wrong because I had a great time. The shows were good and very entertaining. The food was good and the drinks were cold. Overall, it was a great experience and worth the trip. I’d recommend it to anyone!

An AMAZING Ren Faire! Some form of entertainment literally around every corner! All the employees are happy and friendly and you can tell they love their jobs! This was the most fun! Can’t wait to go back! 

The jousting was awesome to watch!

Jousting, a sport involving mounted knights charging at each other with lances, originated in the 11th century as a form of staged combat and training for warfare. It became a popular feature of medieval tournaments and eventually evolved into a sport of skill and horsemanship, particularly with the development of “ring tournaments”. While dangerous, jousting provided a spectacle for entertainment and a display of chivalry.

Early Development: 

• Jousting emerged in the 11th century in northwestern France as a way for knights to practice and display their combat skills. 
• It was initially part of larger tournaments that also included mêlées, or mock battles between groups of knights. 
• Jousting provided a way for knights to showcase their horsemanship, skill with weapons, and bravery

Medieval Tournaments: 

• Jousting became a central part of medieval tournaments, which were large-scale events featuring various competitions, pageantry, and entertainment. 
• These tournaments were often sponsored by royalty or nobility and drew large crowds. 
• Jousting was a dangerous activity, even with specialized armor designed for the sport. 
• Injuries and even deaths were not uncommon, leading to some disapproval from the Church and some rulers. 

Evolution into a Sport: 

• Over time, jousting shifted from a primarily military training exercise to a more formalized sport. 
• The development of the “ring tournament” format, where knights aimed to spear rings suspended from poles, further refined the sport’s focus on skill and precision. 
• The tilt barrier, a wooden fence separating the combatants, was introduced to reduce the risk of collisions and improve the angle for lance impact. 

Decline and Revival: 

• By the end of the Middle Ages, traditional jousting tournaments declined in popularity, partly due to changing warfare tactics and the rise of firearms. 
• However, jousting continued in various forms, including the ring-tilt, which remained popular in some areas, especially in the United States. 
• In Maryland, jousting with rings became the state sport, highlighting the enduring appeal of this aspect of jousting. 

You get to enjoy various people in costume as well as some interesting art!! So many different things to see and do!

Don’t forget the shopping!! An easy place to spend your hard earned coins!! (Ok, dollars!) From artwork, to beautiful dresses, hats, bags and jewelry!!

Also you get to feast of course! Some more to spend those coins but worth it to fill your belly with deliciousness!!

We also sat in some thrones to be the royalty we believed we were at this fantasy fun place!

My suggestion is to grab a friend or family, get dressed up! Just go to this fair and have yourselves a funtastic renaissance time!!

Personally I prefer retro over modern because I believe that they are more unique and special.

I have been to a few and want to find more if there are any to find! They have become almost obsolete and I find that to be a tragedy!

Feeling nostalgic for the good ol’ days at the 50s diner. Step into the 50s with a milkshake in hand and a rockin’ jukebox. Living in a 50s diner daydream.

Retro vibes, sipped through a straw. One word: Dinerishous! Bringing vintage charm and a hearty appetite to the 21st century.

My taste buds are stuck in the 50s, and I’m perfectly okay with it. Diner dates and vintage plates.

Bobby socks, poodle skirts, and diner dates for life.

‘Sippin’ on a milkshake, underneath the neon lights’ – Retro Vibes

‘Milkshake kisses and 50s wishes’ – Nostalgic Melodies

‘Dancing in the diner, like it’s 1955’ – Shake Shack Boogie

I have been to this diner and it has become a favorite after one visit! It is beautiful inside and the food is delicious!

I will be going back as soon as I can!

‘Retro beats and diner treats, that’s all I need’ – Music Memories

‘Savoring the taste of nostalgia, one diner song at a time’ – Vintage Melodies

‘Sometimes the simplest things in life bring the greatest joy, like a cherry pie from the local diner’

Wayne’s diner is also on my list!

I enjoyed chicken tenders and fries at this location and of course a vanilla shake! 🍟🍦

There’s no better feeling than being transported back in time at a retro diner.

Nostalgia is the secret sauce that makes diner food taste even better.

Gus’s diner is on my list of favorites! It’s near to where my daughter lives which places it higher on that list🤣

The nourishment was delicious and the serving size is quite big! Been here a few times and will go back again!

Travel back in time with every bite and enjoy the retro flavors.

A poet could write volumes about diners, because they’re so beautiful. They’re brightly lit, with chrome and booths and Naugahyde and great waitresses. Now, it might not be so great to some, but I think diner food is really worth experiencing periodically.

Next in list is Joey’s diner.

This diner dishes are so yummy! I go to enjoy a meal when I go to shop at the antique shops located nearby.

There’s a safety in thinking in a diner. You can have your burger, fries and your milkshake, and you can go off into strange dark areas, and always come back to the safety of the diner.

Burn One, Take It Through the Garden and Pin a Rose On It

Don’t be alarmed when you order a hamburger and hear this called out instead. “Burn one” refers to dropping the burger in the grill, and “taking it through the garden” means topping it with lettuce and tomato. Your burger is then finished with the most fragrant of roses: the onion. (I would say no to the onions🤪)

Big boy!

What can I say? I was so ecstatic to come across this diner more that I can express on our trip to Michigan! Brought back childhood memories of dining there with my family! Absolutely the best!! ❤️

Shingle with a Shimmy and Shake

Besides being an excellent tongue-twister, this phrase is a cheeky way to call out for buttered toast with jam. Hopefully, your toast is a little more tender than a roof tile.

Lola’s Diner

Lools yummy doesn’t it? You can just smell the aroma of french toast can’t you?

Cowboy with Spurs

While I wouldn’t mind sitting down across from a cowboy, this actually means a Western (or Denver) omelet with french fries. I know. I’m disappointed, too. 

Houseboat

This quirky term refers to a banana split, named such because of their resemblance to the nomadic homestead. Banana splits have been an American classic since their invention in 1904 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, which still holds the Great American Banana Split Celebration to this day.

Drag One Through Wisconsin

Drag anything through Wisconsin and it’s bound to pick up some of this ingredient—cheese! (See our top Wisco recipes here.) Wisconsin isn’t the only place your diner is dragging things—”drag one through the garden” means putting all the condiments on it, and “drag one through Georgia” is a weird phrase for the even weirder beverage: cola with chocolate syrup.

Adam and Eve On a Raft

This is possibly one of the better-known diner terms, referring to two eggs on toast. But the dynamic duo inspired a whole slew of breakfast terms, like “Adam and Eve on a log” for eggs and sausage, or “Adam and Eve on a raft and wreck ’em” for scrambled eggs and toast. Poor Adam and Eve, what a precarious lifestyle!

Twist It, Choke It, and Make It Cackle

Wow! Diners sure are violent! Don’t be afraid, your server is just ordering a chocolate malt with an egg. Although the term does serve as an excellent warning to any would-be dine-and-dashers.

Stretch One and Paint It Red

More violence?! No, it’s just another way to ask for a coke with cherry syrup. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, Coca-Cola used to sell “stretched” bottles of their soda, which were over a foot tall.

Blue Plate Special

Most diners will have a daily special meal called the “Blue Plate Special,” available at a lower price. Legend has it that this meal got its name from plates sold during The Depression, which had separate compartments for different foods and were only available in the color blue.

First Lady

Wow, Eve is really making a name for herself in diner lingo. A sly reference to Eve’s purported creation from Adam’s extra rib, this does indeed refer to—you guessed it—spare ribs.

Drown the Kids

Yikes. Sometimes diner terms have a dark side. Even if the phrase is just a way to tell the chef to boil the eggs, still gonna back away from this one…very…slowly…

Foreign Entanglements

Who knew a plate of spaghetti would require so much diplomacy? However, if you’re ordering it with meatballs, you’ll want to get the “lead pipes with rounded cows.

Paint a Bow-Wow Red

If you want a hot dog with ketchup, then you want to “paint a bow-wow red,” and with sauerkraut is a “bloodhound in the hay.” But if you’re ordering it with mustard, you want that “baby sauce.” Baby sauce and relish? “Mickey Rooney.” “Mickey Rooney” no relish? “Cut the grass.” So on, so forth. 

Bucket of Hail

Order a glass of ice, get a bucket of hail. Hey, at least it’s all-natural and straight from the source. But if you want water, well then my friend you’re gonna need that “city water.” Love eating out?

Give It Shoes

Alternatively “Go for a walk,” this is the call-out to make your order to-go. Although, you might want to give your food a good sniff before you eat it to make sure the cook didn’t miss the metaphor.

The Twins

If you need to season up for your food, you’ll need to ask for The Twins: salt and pepper, of course! Thinking a little more garlic? That’ll be the Bronx Vanilla.

Hope you enjoyed some of the diner lingo I was able to share with you. You can now say that you have learned some “Dinerese!”

I decided to attend a car show today, I’m not a huge fan of cars- maybe because mine keeps emptying my bank account.

I have been watching a television show called American Pickers and the oldie cars are kinda neat if I must admit.

Beautiful day to feast our eyes on some eye candy of vintage cars! I l simply find the older vintage cars to be my fashion but my husband loves the sporty versions! Of course!

So if you come across a car show, go take a gander at these magnificent 4 wheel oldies but goodies!

After the 8th annual bald eagle car show in a prior post, we decided to drive to Fox Lake, WI.

We stopped at some rummage sales along the way to see if we could find some treasure-we did!

We continued to our destination – Eggy’s Diner!

Stepping back in time at this diner, where the burgers are as classic as the jukebox tunes. 🍔🎵 Let the good times roll!

A dash of nostalgia, a pinch of today, all swirled together in a milkshake glass. Cheers to timeless joy and diner days! 🥤

Finding my happy place between a rock n’ roll record and a plate of fries. This diner is more than a throwback; it’s a feeling. 🍟🎶

The outside is a little understated but once you walk through the doors it’s retro baby!

Delicious food is the best kind of therapy. People eat to live, but the true joy is when we live to eat.

Interesting to learn that The earliest diners started as mobile lunch wagons, often horse-drawn. These provided quick, affordable meals to working-class individual.

Train Car Influence:

As diners became more popular, they began incorporating elements of train cars, such as the look of dining cars. This is not one of them but still pretty awesome!

Take a step back into the past and enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner at this diner, you will not regret it!

We decided to attend a car show, I’m not a huge fan of cars- maybe because mine keeps emptying my bank account.

I have been watching a television show called American Pickers and the oldie cars are kinda neat if I must admit.

Was a beautiful day to feast our eyes on these 4 wheel beauties!! I loved the vintage cars but my husband loved the sporty versions!🤪