Hail and Well Met my Friends,
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| Fangirl Resting at the Front Entrance |
So today travelers were going on a bit of a journey. September 12th, 2026 I had the pleasure to attend the Mills River Brewing Company's 2nd Annual Renaissance Festival. This was Fangirl and I's first time going to this festival so it was exciting to go to a new event. We decided to go to this one this year instead of the Ren Faire we normally attend because Fangirl is still trying to bounce back from being sick last year and gas prices are out of sight so we chose the more local festival.
The day started cloudy with patches of blue, blue like my mood was starting out that day. As we turned onto the road where the brewery there was a Virgin Mary looking out a resident's window to greet us. I liked we had amble parking, but downside was limited handicapped parking, which made it hard on Fangirl who has limited mobility.
Things were already in swing when we finally got there with performers on the stage:
We saw that there were two levels of booths. Fangirl was worn out and unable to make the trek up the hill for the second level. So while she chilled out near the stage I made the climb to check out the booths up there. I passed the Tomato Torment booth where the guy was heckling people.
I came across the Abracadabra Botanical booth. They had some samples out so I tested their Roots and Branches Calming Balm, cause I needed something calming. At the next booth from Larkspur Flower Farm I learned about Mullen Torches that you can use for cleansing.
I saw other interesting things like this Judy with her big booty ghost. That's what that woman at the booth called her. I started laughing and she said that had been the whole point.
Then at the Trash Puppy Forge I watched the blacksmith working on a piece discussing his biggest piece a wedding swordThere were a lot of lovely blades including Railroad Spike Knifes which looked so cool. If I had 70 extra dollars I totally would've bought one. Also they made me think of Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
There were a lot more booths up top than I thought so I was gone for longer than I planned. As I was coming back down I ran into a woman with a colorful dress and a tail. She was carrying a Ouija board parasol. I commented on it and she said it was from New Orleans. I'd discover later it was from the French Quarter and that her partner had been stationed near there.
After making a stop with the royals I met up with Amber again, where she told me about having a trinket trading experience with a guy. The only trinket trading to be had at this festival. While we sat a little longer this woman passed by us with her crocheted mushroom costume which lead to crochet discussions between her and Fangirl.
After this we went to the field area where more vendors were set up and the forecasted chance of rain came down. Which sucked for Fangirl cause she'd just had her legs wrapped at wound care a few days before. The vendors were nice enough to let us stand under their tents like a bee themed vendor whose name I didn't get. They were selling honey and these beeswax bowels:
She told me how delicate the work was and one wrong move in the process could ruin it. We also discussed the trials of beekeeping. These bowls looked so cozy in the rainy day light, so perfect for a hobbit themed home or room.
After the rain let up we kept going. I met a charming cat man vendor who due to the curse of the gods had some tattoos that got rained on so he gave me one. I was gonna buy a potion from him but the person who actually makes them wouldn't be there for a couple hours.
Fangirl and I parted briefly again as I checked out the vendors up a little hilly area. I came across Fae Forged who had a few cute items like the Pie Trivets I believe her mother made:
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| I'd serve pie to Dean Winchester on those. |
The weapons demonstrators sadly were off the field when we came through:
This year I wore the hat Fangirl crocheted for me because my other hat is in need of repair and is lost in the boxes of my room rearranging. I commissioned her to make this a few years ago.
We met the Tide and Tempest mermaids. One was swimming around and probably the least affected by the rains that day.
Fangirl and I started to head back toward the entrance Fangirl decided to head back to the car while I looked at the last few booths I'd missed at the beginning. The sky decided at this time to let loose again.
I came across Rose Relics who sells bones at their booth including I think petrified bison teeth. I was tempted to purchase some bones that day.
By the time I was done I was a bit soaked. As I walked the muddy parking lot Amber arrived to get me out of the weather.
We ended the day by having Sonic, the one we often go to after WNC Comic Cons. On the way home I dried one of my sleeves in the wind. Luckily the weather started clearing up to warm our wet selves.
Beginning of the day and weather aside this was a good little renaissance fair. I had fun, the vendors were great, and everyone was just amazing to be around.
The Haul:
My haul wasn't much. Other than my schedule I got a bag of resin crystals, I gave one to Amber since I don't think she got anything, well except what she got it trinket trade.
I then got this heart shaped gemstone but sadly I can't recall what kind.
Well this about does in for this post I hope you had fun. I have a couple of conventions coming up this month so hopefully I'll have more stories for you. Have a great rest of your weekend.
*Thrifty Geek*
