Carouse before Pageant

“All the world’s a stage,” especially Laguna Beach.

The chamber’s annual pre-Pageant of the Masters community barbecue has transformed this year into the city’s first-ever full Renaissance Faire, complete with maypole, mandolins and magicians.

Slated to attend Monday evening are an Elizabethan queen and her jester, a Moorish queen with her dancers, several imperial knights, a variety of Renaissance musicians, a jugging circus and a palm reader.

Other activities will include a bubble booth, candlemaking, hair braiding and wreathmaking, including a separate “Kids’ Kingdom,” and a silent auction.

The dinner event has been known as the Hometown BBQ for years, but organizers opted to tie it in with the 75th anniversary of the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters, which selected the Shakespearean theme this year.

“Going forward, we will theme our event after the Pageant,” said “Lady” Rose Hancock, the executive director of the chamber.

The faire will be in a field across the street from the Festival of Arts; high heels are discouraged, as the unpaved ground is rocky.

“We’ve never done anything like this,” Hancock said. “We’ve got a lot of great people involved.”

Local restaurants will be providing food for the feast, which will include pork and roast beef carving stations, roast turkey legs and a vegetarian curry dish.

Side dishes range from corn on the cob to a dessert of bread pudding.

Costumes are highly encouraged; those who wear costumes will receive two drink tickets good for wine, beer, soda or water.

A costume contest will include prizes for the most authentic, beautiful, humorous and unique ensembles.

The chamber has posted pages of costume ideas at the event’s website, lagunabeachrenaissancefaire. com.

After the event, many patrons attend the Pageant of the Masters across the street.

Tickets are available for just the faire or a faire and pageant combination.

WHO: Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce

WHAT: Renaissance Faire and Pageant of the Masters

WHEN: 5 to 8:30 p.m. Monday

WHERE: 725 Laguna Canyon Road (across the street from the Festival of Arts)

COST: $30 for the faire only or $80 for the faire and Pageant of the Masters

INFORMATION: (949) 494-1018 or lagunabeachrenaissancefaire.com

Good Morrow (Good Day)

Good Even (Good Evening)

Prithee (Please)

Gramercy (Thank You)

Aye/Yea (Yes)

Nay (No)

Privy (Restroom)

Anon (Later)

As You Will (All right)

Yonder (Over There)

Shall We Carouse? (Let’s Party!)

Fare Thee Well (Goodbye)

CANDICE BAKER can be reached at (949) 494-5480 or at [email protected].