Hail and well met!

The New York Renaissance Festival remains an economic boost to Town of Tuxedo, By Nancy Kriz STERLING FOREST — Fair maidens, assorted wenches and wacky wizards returned to the borders of Tuxedo last weekend when the annual New York Renaissance Faire - a recreation of a bustling 16th century European Village - opened for its annual eight weekend stint. As thousands came to mingle with Queen Elizabeth I, Robin Hood and his Merry Men and to watch fairies, acrobats, pirates and magicians in action, others cheered their favorite knights during their daring jousting matches, watched a “living” chess match, shopped and dined. Now in its 34th season, the faire takes place on 65-acre venue featuring 20 stages and over 100 shops and is run by Creative Faires Ltd. Officials said the venue is considered a training ground for stage and screen actors who spend months preparing for the faire and who use the opportunity to grow in their careers. Last year, 140,000 people attended the faire, ranking it among the largest nationwide. This past opening weekend - in spite of last Sunday’s bad weather - about 10,000 people attended, according to faire spokeswoman Wanda Carr. “We have incredible actors, artisans and vendors participating,” she said. “And this is such an incredible location.” New offerings this year includes a revamped “Enchanted Forest,” Kid’s Quest for young faire visitors, “fairies” featuring Anya the Faerie Queen and the Gargoyle, “Boffer Wars” for fledging warriors, and an archery tournament. The faire is also a big boon for the Town of Tuxedo, particularly in light of an extremely tumultuous economy. “At a minimum, 35 to 40 local people are seasonally hired, if not more,” said Town of Tuxedo Supervisor Peter Dolan. “And there are probably many more since I know 18 of their security staff are Tuxedo residents.” Carr echoed Dolan’s comments. “There’s about 1,200 people working here and about half of them are from the tri-state area,” said Carr. “There’s definitely a community presence at the faire. And the community treats us so well too. We have a really great relationship with the Town of Tuxedo. They’re very supportive of us and the residents are very warm and accepting.” Dolan estimated the faire provides a positive $100,000 impact to Tuxedo through the temporary hiring of staff and dollars spent by the approximately 17,500 transient faire visitors each weekend who stop at the local taverns and delis. The faire also reimburses Tuxedo $13,000 in police overtime costs. “The fair goers stop to get a sandwich, have a bit to eat or something to drink and they do it in Tuxedo,” he said, naming virtually all the businesses which have seen faire visitors. “That extends in to Sloatsburg too. They (faire organizers) are very good tenants for us. We have zero problems with them. And they take care of everything.” Carr said the faire also has community service component to it. “We donate thousands of tickets to local charities, such as Community Blood Services, to help them with their missions,” she said. “We try to fulfill as many requests as possible. In the past 10 years, we’ve donated 20,000 tickets to area libraries to use as incentives for their summer reading programs.” Dolan also said the impact extends beyond finances, with visitors seeing Tuxedo’s splendor. “You know what’s also nice about it?” said Dolan. “People see what a beautiful town Tuxedo is. That’s relatively unusual to have this combination. People leave here with a smile and a happy face.”

There’s definitely a community presence at the faire. And the community treats us so well too. We have a really great relationship with the Town of Tuxedo. They’re very supportive of us and the residents are very warm and accepting.” New York Renaissance Faire spokesperson Wanda Carr

If you go
The New York Renaissance Fair, 600 Route 17A, Sterling Forest in the Town of Tuxedo
Weekends, including Labor Day Monday through Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. rain or shine.
Tickets: $22 per adult, $11 per child and kids under five are free. Group rates are available for 15 or more. Senior and military discounts available.
Free general parking and $5 for preferred parking.

Converse in the tongue of the Realm
Here’s a few Renaissance words and phrases to help you begin to speak like a 16th Century native when attending the 34th annual New York Renaissance Faire in Sterling Forest:
Good morning. = Good morrow.
Good afternoon. = Good day.
I’ll see you later. = I shall see you anon.
How are you? = How now?
Please. = Prithee or Pray.
Thank you. = Grammercy.
Hello, nice to see you! = Hail and well met!
What time is it? = How stands the hour?
Where are the rest rooms? = Whither be the privies?
What is your name? = What be thy tide?
Please wait on me! = Prithee, attend me!
I’m thirsty. = I be parched.
Goodbye, I gotta go! = Fare thee well; I must away!