Just when Renaissance lovers thought their beloved pleasure
faire would never return to Casa de Fruta, a new production company
may bring the bosoms, bangers and blades back this fall.
Just when Renaissance lovers thought their beloved pleasure faire would never return to Casa de Fruta, a new production company may bring the bosoms, bangers and blades back this fall.
The Renaissance Entertainment Corporation, which produces similar shows in San Bernardino, Chicago and New York, decided to pull the Northern California show after four years because of low attendance and lost revenues. The company gave the participants notice on Friday, Oct. 18, and the following Monday, vendors and entertainers got together and realized they didn’t want to see the show leave the South Valley.
“It was sort of like the inmates taking over the asylum,” Renaissance aficionado Michael Gardner said.
Gardner rallied the troops, and, together, they created Play Faire Productions. They’re currently in negotiations to produce the 2004 Renaissance Pleasure Faire at Casa de Fruta on Highway 152, and an agreement should be made in roughly 30 days. If negotiations go as planned, the show will run Saturdays and Sundays, from Sept. 18 to Oct. 24.
Play Faire Productions is comprised of 145 craftsmen, 2,000 entertainers and 18 advisory board members. Gardner, who is an advisory member, said there are too many people who enjoy this faire to let it stop.
“The idea of letting it die isn’t an option,” he said.
Gardner said REC, which is based out of Colorado, has been very helpful in guiding Play Faire Productions through the process of keeping the Renaissance era alive at Casa de Fruta.
“They’ve been totally supportive and gave us all the information in order to work with Casa de Fruta,” he said.
Gene Zanger, owner of Casa de Fruta, said although there is no agreement signed yet, he’s very hopeful the faire will return.
“I think it’s great that all the vendors and artisans decided to work together and try to keep the faire alive,” Zanger said.
One of the reasons Gardner feels confidant Play Faire Productions will succeed is because of its local connections.
“Because REC is based out of Colorado, they were bringing supplies from all over,” he said. “We plan to use local advertising, local suppliers and promote the heck out of it.”
Theresa Kiernan, executive director of the Hollister Chamber of Commerce, couldn’t be happier about the possible return of the faire.
“This would be great for San Benito County, because if a local group produces it, that means they will buy their supplies from local businesses, which is good for our economy,” she said. “I’m also absolutely thrilled because this is a great way to promote tourism here. Visitors can see all that San Benito County has to offer.”
Pabi Thapa, manager of the Garlic Farm Motel in Gilroy, said she remembers visitors stopping through for the faire last year, and she hopes they come back.
“Anything that brings business to the area is great for us,” she said.
Another reason Gardner sees success in the future is because of the company’s relationship with Casa de Fruta.
“They have totally embraced us,” he said. “I think one of the reasons the show saw a drop in numbers before was because they kept moving the venue to different locations. It was in Vacaville, Novato and then Casa de Fruta, and when you move around that much you lose clientele.”
Margie Belrose, owner of Belrose Costume Rentals, has been turning wenches into royalty and peasants into nobility at the Northern California faire for 25 years, and plans on being a part of the group if everything goes as planned.
“I’m very pleased this group has decided to try and keep the faire going,” she said. “For it to disappear, would be just awful.”
For more information or to get involved, go to www.norcalrenfaire.org.
