California City Presents its 6th Annual Renaissance Festival

California City, CA January 1, 2009 – The California City Arts Commission and the California City Parks and Recreation Department, with assistance from the Kern County Board of Trade and the California City EDC, will present the sixth annual California City Renaissance Festival, taking patrons back in time to 16th century England.  The Guilde of Sainte Marie returns this year as the Court of Elizabeth I, joined in support by the House of Tudor.

Fast becoming one of the most anticipated outdoor events in the greater Antelope Valley, the Renaissance Festival will be held this year on October 18th and 19th at California City’s Central Park. Fine performances ranging from comedy magic to belly dancers, hearty food and drink, and original and unique merchandise can be found in abundance.  This year will also feature the historical recreation of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth I.  “It is important we understand history, and impart the importance of learning it to our children,” says John Bloom, Entertainment Coordinator for the Festival, “It gives us a chance to redeem past mistakes, and learn what can be done better for the future.”

Also featured will be the Queen’s Banquet.  In its third year, the banquet has become a staple of the Festival, and allows the average person a glimpse at what it was like to attend a royal banquet.  The banquet will be served in three courses, each with four to five dishes.  In keeping with the premise of Elizabeth’s coronation, this years banquet will be whimsically themed “St. George and the Dragon,” after St. George, the patron saint of England.

Roughly 2,000-3,000 people attend this yearly event.  Cost of admission is only $3.00, with $1.00 off the admission if you bring a canned food item (to be donated to the local food bank).  Gates will open at 11:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 PM on Saturday and 5:00 PM on Sunday.  Tickets to the Queen’s Banquet are available pre-sale for $25.00 per person; the banquet will run Saturday evening from 6:30PM until 9:00PM.  For more information, please contact Michelle Hornback at (760) 373-3530 or via email at parksandrec@ccis.com.  Further information and directions can also be found on the event website: www.calcityrenfair.org 

The Guilde of Sainte Marie, based in Perris, CA, is a not-for-profit historical reenactment society dedicated to the portrayal of noble class life in the 16th Century during the height of the Renaissance Period, with membership concentrated in Southern California.  The Guilde offers classes in renaissance dance, costuming, life style and song, and performs at about 12-15 different shows per year.  For more information, please visit www.guildeofsaintemarie.org.

The House of Tudor, based in the Central Valley of California, is another not-for-profit reenactment troupe specializing in the portrayal of a noble household – specifically that of the Howard Family (that of the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk).  House of Tudor is also known to provide a peasant or pirate troupe when needed for any given event.  They are known for their civic activities as well as performing at various shows throughout the year.  For more information please contact their guilde mistress, Amy Masters at amywooten@yahoo.com.