Bristol with Wes and Arthur
It was wonderful. I was with Wes, my oldest son, and my youngest Arthur. We left early on Saturday and picked up Wes. Got there about 12:30, started walking around. We usually do the normal loop at Bristol, counter clockwise. Familiar shops. I had my mind to buy some bracers and a canteen of medieval look. I buy an oil vessel from Kamala’s each time I go, but I was in no hurry. We had all day. We meander. Wes holds Arthur’s hand so he doesn’t get lost in the crowd. I walk behind watching them. I like to think about what they are thinking. Especially Arthur, and hoping his young mind is taking in the spectacle. It was RenConn weekend, though there were no more cosplay outfits than usual. Wes is into that more than I am so I thought he would be keen to see some cool costumes. We immerse ourselves. Or at least I do, as much as I can while keeping one eye on a 6 year old. The vernacular architecture and all the flora climbing over everything gets me every time.
We were thirsty and had to get some water and a beer. I always bring Arthur’s refillable water bottle for some extra for him. The food lines were particularly long this day. That is okay. We mostly spend our time people watching. Everyone at the faire is always so nice and I feel like we are always looking out for each other. I like to see the regulars. Shows that I have been watching for 33 years. I didn’t see any of them fully, but we walk and I glimpse Moonie, Dirk and Guido, and the Mud Show. I decide that I want Arthur to see the Mud Show this year, so we will attend the last one for the day, later. Last year he liked Dirk and Guido swordsmen and was hooting it up as much as the rest of them.
We got some food. The lines were long but we got some vegetable tempura. Wes and I split it. Arthur wanted funnel cakes. We couldn’t find any, so we got him beignets. There were six, so we each had two. He didn’t believe us that they were as good as funnel cakes beforehand, but afterward he agreed. More beer, but this time I got wine.
We bought some runes. I always like to chat it up with the vendors and make it an experience. Try to get them to offer us some advice about their product or about the world from wherever they come from. Wes got one set and Arthur and I picked out a set of lapis stones etched with Viking runes. I will teach him to cast them someday soon. He already does tarot. He wanted to buy some tarot decks too, but could not decide. We own so many at home, not that we can’t have more. So next year I will let him pick one out.
We look at the game shop. All three of us like games. The tiny shop was crammed with lookers. I talked to the vendor as I always try to do, give them a compliment about their wares or something else. We walk through some clothing shops scheming up new costume ideas. We never see everything. Wes wanted to get some elf ears, but this time he wanted them tinted green for his future goblin costume. While they were fitting them, Arthur and I watched the strong man mallet competition, where they try to hit the bell. Arthur was loving it, jumping up and down — “look he is a titmouse!”, “wow he got to half man”. He wanted to try it. We saw one burly fellow get to ring the bell. My favorite part is when the carny harasses them with witty retorts.
We saw the blacksmith, just like last year. I had so much fun watching Arthur asking so many questions of him. We had to get the rose he was making to bring home to his mama.
Afterward Arthur wanted to ride the pirate ships, the 3 that were labeled Santa Maria, Nina, and Pinta, the kind you power yourself by yanking the vertical rope. While they waited in line, I took a much needed privy break, and then bought my Kamala oil vessel. I should have a dozen by now, but I must have lost some over the years. I got back in time to take some photos of them getting on the boat and Wes cranking them so high on their swinging ship. I bought my bracers after that. Heavy bracers, plain, brown leather ones to match my costume.
I didn’t want the day to end, so I was trying to prolong it. We took the long way to walk over the causeway across the lagoon. We made it to the Mud Show. I think these actors are so talented and funny, even though I have seen this show several times. Arthur was getting into it. At the end, when they do their bit of getting cash tips from the crowd to see which side would win the contest, I gave Arthur some money to run down and give them some cash, so that I could take a photo of my mini blonde barbarian reaching up into this thespian’s hat to put a dollar in. Memories I will cherish.
I dragged my feet toward the entrance as I knew it was time to leave, but we made sure we took a photo of the three of us. We found a willing staff to do so, and the staff are always so willing to make sure the audience is happy. And the photos were wonderful. And then we walked down the path back to the car and did the tired drive back to Wes’s apartment back in Milwaukee.
Addendum: the threshold and the feast (debrief, 2026-08-25)
It almost starts as soon as we pull in with the car. There are parking guides to get all the cars into the vast field. I give a tip to every vendor and attendant, starting here. When I was 20 I was poor and would grumble; now I have more, and happily dole out a few bucks to a younger person who is so grateful. I get out of the car already half dressed in costume and start to put on the rest. The car that came in next to us says “cool, we will dress up next year.” I said that once.
The far walk to the gates is almost a transformational processional threshold, and a test of our costume mettle. The gate is amazing, and it is starting to become the same every year: hardly a wait. I talk to the ticketeer the same as I do any other vendor. They seem happy to be there and in character, and give Arthur attention. And then the true threshold is into the gatehouse, where the world opens up and the smells and the sounds waft over us.
The feast is in-world, but I don’t eat it up, figuratively or literally, as much anymore. I know none of it is healthy, but I want the kids to have a good time. I used to love that part more. Eating a turkey leg on the hill watching the mud show. Being a pescatarian has changed my outlook on a lot of that, and it is a good thing, as I appreciate all the other things. I love the Whistle Pig Tavern and hope I can find a time and fellowship there, as there is always music. The food wouldn’t be the thing. The drink might be, a little. I do love the smells of all the food though. I find it all Rabelais, or what I think of that book as being. All the actors and vendors working so hard to make us have a good time.
I see old things each time and new things. The woman on stilts with tentacles was new. I think of the engineering of some of the more elaborate costumes. I might do something with more engineering someday. Next year, maybe my raven alchemist costume.
I could not find the canteen I expected. I will keep searching, as I want to be able to hold water, but for it to be on theme.