Robbie Thomas
Ren Fest 2024 and Another Detroit FC Night
Michigan Ren Fest 2024
This time around, The Michigan Renaissance Festival charges for parking. Fifteen dollars for a spot and from what I would later gather, you need to talk to someone by the gates to register your license plate. If you don’t do this, your car could be towed. When I left, I didn’t see a tow truck anywhere.
I have a fondness for Pictus, a band I’ve seen almost every time I’ve attended the Renaissance Festival since 2016. They are an energetic group consisting of two drummers and a bagpipe player. In addition to their appearances at the Renaissance Festival, I also saw them once at Arts, Beats & Eats in 2021. During my visits, I’ve had the pleasure of watching them perform twice. In the first show, the performer who preceded them insulted one of the band members, prompting a humorous interaction with Ric Roc.
At around 1:15pm, I went to the Joust area, but they were in the middle of the show. Also, the area was packed, and I couldn’t get a good view. There was a large line for Turkey Legs, I didn’t care for one. The only time I had a Turkey Leg at the Ren Fest was in 2022, the tickets I bought from Costco had that voucher. They got rid of the Jester and now the game is called the Tomato Throw. I do miss the Jesters, I didn’t have a problem with them telling me I suck back in 2012, but they liked the Rush shirt I was wearing that day.
The Joust area had nearby food and drink shops, but I didn’t see the Greek Food vendor. So I headed to the front of the festival and stood in line for 20 minutes craving a gyro. By the time I was the second in line, I was told by the vendor that they had run out of both Chicken and Lamb, no gyros. I settled for Hummus and Pita Chips and got a small bag of regular Stacy’s Pita Chips and a small scoop of hummus. Bummer, that was bullshit for $6. Beer lines were very long too!
I finally got to the Joust arena, where they usually have four people competing. In the past, they had a villainous jouster who engaged with the crowd, adding to the overall entertainment of the spectacle. However, during this visit, only two jousters were present. I still tipped both the participants and the performers, but the performances I saw in 2012, 2014, and 2016 were more engaging. I don’t hold the actors responsible in this case; it seems likely that the Ren Fest is adjusting to political correctness, as evidenced by the removal of the Jesters. This change might indeed be a result of concerns from special interest groups.
I’ve been to the Ren Fest in 2004, 2012, 14, 16, 18, 21, 22 and 2024. I had intentions of going in 2020 but Covid came to town. Before Covid (Or BC, thanks to Manolete the Pyro Gyro for that), the Ren Fest was fun and worth the cash you spend with not so long lines. Since then, it hasn’t been that fun. Now, they are charging for parking?
Before not getting my gyro, I was in line for beer and talked to a black man in Renaissance clothes. He told me how he would get the Royal Pass and come by to the Ren Fest multiple times per year. Just like me, he said that the Ren Fest is getting more terrible by the years and he might stop going. It’s been every two years (sans 2020) and I think I’ll go every four years instead of two, if I do go. Maybe I’ll go in 2028, but as of now, I think not.
DCFC vs. Hartford Athletic
Heh, it looks like that Husband and Wife are arguing in this pic. I took the long drive from Holly to Hamtramck to catch a Detroit City FC game for the year. It was a goal for this year. Chowed down at a local restaurant that was slow in service and the Chicken Sharawma wasn’t that good. Pretty soon, DCFC will not be playing in Keyworth Stadium and will play in Corktown according to this article. I do like Keyworth and the old-school feel it provides. But it is what it is, we got two more years left. I got to the game at 6:15pm and saw that the Northern Guard stands had very few people there. By 7 pm, it got full!
Despite getting off to a poor start, DCFC found themselves tied by Hartford after two quick goals. The game ended in a draw, with tensions running high as the Northern Guard expressed frustration over some contentious calls by the referees during the match. While DCFC didn’t emerge victorious, there were still highlights. Such as the solid performance of player Maxi Rodriguez, who gave his all on the field.
The Ren Fest, I would give that 2 stars out of 5. DCFC, 4 stars out of 5. One day, I want to sit in the Northern Guard side of the stadium before they say goodbye to Keyworth.
