A FAIRE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL FLAIR.

Byline: Sylvia Masuda

Staff Writer

Jousters and giant turkey legs are back for the 46th year of the Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire, which takes place weekends through May 18 at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale.

This is the real deal, the oldest of all Renaissance faires in existence in the U.S.

Immerse yourself in festivities with Sir Francis Drake, Mr. Bill Shakespeare and even Queen Elizabeth I -- convincing impersonations of them, anyway.

Once you arrive thither, you'll find yourself thrust back in history to the Elizabethan era, landing in Port Deptford, a fictional town bordering the Santa Fe Dam lake. 'Ere you hop onto the maypole carousel or navigate the Fools Maze, rent a costume and play dress-up. A good portion of goers come dressed in full 16th-century regalia, and the grounds are frequented by more than 1,200 costumed performers.

Deptford is a port town, and exotic shipments dock from all over. Glass blowers, woodworkers and weavers will have demonstration and vendor booths, and joustings, magic and improv comedy shows will grace the stage.

But performances will reach beyond Anglo influence. Irish, Chinese Lion and Arabic belly dancing, along with Brazilian Capoeira shows, will give a kick to Old World merriment.

"There's a very international flair this year," said faire spokeswoman Colleen Russell-Elkins. "We're really embracing all the different international countries that would have been going through ports at that time."

Younger lads and lassies will reign over the Children's Kingdom, where they can be appointed knights or dames, learn the marches of the royal militia and engage in a Children's Tea.

Adults have their chance to participate in the British teatime tradition, too. They'll have the honor of sitting down to tea, finger sandwiches and tarts with the queen herself.

The turkey legs are a given in the faire's selection of chow, but Greek and Italian food, corn on the cob, shepherd's pie and fish 'n' chips are all on the menu.

Aye, truly a feast fit for a carousing romp through time.

Sylvia Masuda [phone], Ext. 390;

[e-mail]

46TH ANNUAL ORIGINAL RENAISSANCE PLEASURE FAIRE

>When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; through May 18.

>Where: Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, 15501 E. Arrow Highway, Irwindale.

>Admission: $25, $15 for children 5-12, free for children under 5; parking is $8, $10 for valet service.

>Information: [phone], www.renfair.com/socal.

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Among the dignitaries expected at this year's Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire are Sir Francis Drake, Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare. The Old World event takes place in Irwindale weekends through May 18.