Ramona Bowl Renaissance Faire Harvest Festival
September 5-7, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27 2009
Step back in time
. . to the age of rogues, wenches, and ale and turkey legs as the Diamond Valley becomes jolly old England for the entire month of September. This year, Ramona Bowl Amphitheater is proud to host the newest permanent renaissance village site in Southern California. It is the Harvest Festival in the merry town of Port Talbot circa 1585! Each weekend this September, gather to celebrate at the Ramona Bowl in Hemet, California. It’s the last time of the year for warm days and nights, so join with us in the merriest of traditions, the Summer Harvest.
The History of the Bowl
Beginning in 1923, the chamber of commerce, and eventually the Ramona Pageant Association, bought up 160 acres in and around the canyon. They even purchased the land up and over the hills to the south, forever protecting the Bowl from encroachment — farsighted thinking in the 1920s.
Conditions at the Ramona Bowl were rather primitive in the early days. There was no road up to the top until 1925, and no parking near the entrance until the 1930s. Pioneer playgoers hiked up the canyon, the way the cast comes into today for the procession. Water was available at “Aunt Ri’s Spring” along the trail. Longtime performer Elmer Grohs remembered a long-handled metal dipper at the small pool shared by all. “If we’d had a health department in those days we wouldn’t have a pageant today,” he liked to say. . . Read more about the Ramona Bowl
Welcome to the village of Port Talbot!
This year the Ramona Bowl Renaissance Faire joins the illustrious group of West Coast Ren Faires. The theme, you ask? It’s the The Lord Mayor’s Harvest Festival – crowns the Harvest King and Queen, as chosen by our wonderful Lord Mayor and his orange-girl-turned-wife, Chastity. Assisted by the Honorable Sheriff Fife and Right Reverend Goodelove, the only thing more wild than the contest itself is the prize for the winners!
Step back in time to the age of rogues, wenches, ale and turkey legs as The Ramona Bowl Amphitheatre becomes jolly old England for an entire month in celebration of the harvest. Engage in fun and frolic and shop from the finest artisans in all the land. Entertain yourself with four nonstop stages of singing, dancing and plays! Be amazed and thrilled by live combat and jousting demonstrations! Feast with us and celebrate the changing of the season in style with a run of faire pass. The Lord Mayor and his lovely lady will be crowning the Harvest King and Queen. But there’s a secret that only the Lord Mayor knows. Don’t miss the delivery when the Harvest King and Queen are crowned, something unexpected is sure to occur…
About the Ramona Bowl Production Team
Faire Manager, and Operations Director Paul Jacques, graduate of UC Riverside, with a
Master’s in Playwriting and Screenwriting, Paul brings his treasure chest of experience from Southern Pleasure Faire 1991, Performances in San Diego, around Corona, and other local areas with his Three Person Troupe known as “Marlow’s Shadow.”
On this history of the Ramona Bowl’s inception, Paul shares ” It’s an experienced group of people putting it on, with an accumulated 100 years of experience in the planning staff, and some of the big renaissance circuit vendors, Heart’s Delight, Sound and Fury for improvisational theatre, and the Belles of Bedlam and these will lend an authentic and captivating atmosphere to this year’s faire.”
Judy Zulfiqar, aka Judy Meicki , the Press Manager for the Ramona Bowl is excited about the opportunity to create a permanent home for the Ramona Bowl Renaissance Faire. She strongly feels that the sustainable environment of this well established Hemet location will provide longevity and stability to the Faire, making it a production that will continue for years to come.
Judy loves the location: “The Bowl is secluded enough to make you feel like you are in another world, that you’ve stepped back in time. The rustic feel is really there, and it is completely removed from the nearby urban centers of Hemet and Riverside, perfect for an absorbing experience of the Village of Port Talbot’s annual Harvest Festival, yet close enough for convenience for our multi-day Faire visitors.”
Performers and Volunteers are warming up for a fantastic year of humor and excitement.
At this time, the Ramona Bowl is 50% staffed on Vendors, and invitation are extended for Core Volunteers to street gig, and provide more non-traditional activities such as privateers, Volunteers, with a mature character and some time of script. Paul loves this particular aspect of Faire, as he savors observing the joy of ownership suddenly occurs among volunteers and street plays. “This might be a good opportunity to develop character,” he notes.
Get in touch with the Ramona Bowl Production team!
Confirmed entertainment this year includes a varied and interesting lineup.
A Fool and his Lady – performs improvisational comedy, including fractured fairy tales, spoonerisms, and interactive theater. Our fairy-tales incorporate our family troupe and the audience as the actors.
Lord Rusty – brings a range of unique, recognizable, interactive characters and performances to both the stage and roving.
The Belles of Bedlam – are a musical comedy troupe that romp through the daily lives of a group of sisters who own an Inn. They have an amazing story to share with you dear ones, but most heartening to me is their dear ward, yes indentured…but do ask them to share their tale.
The Village Idiots – love history and Shakespeare- they just can’t seem to get their facts straight. The result is pure mayhem on stage.
The Dancing Belly – is a fusion of the many styles of belly dance. American Tribal Style, Tribal, Triberet, Club Caberet, Ethnic, Historical, Fantasy, Gothic, Modern and SO much more!
Jeffrey Daymont – is a juggler that jugglers watch. He is a world champion Cigar Box juggler who has studied at Chicago’s Second City. Together with his wife, the Lovely Miss Amber, their show is a fun experience for everyone.
Sportive Tricks – invites you to kick off your shoes, pull up a chair – or sprawl on the floor, we don’t mind – and make yourself comfortable! It’s Irish music with a twist.
Sound & Fury – is a vaudeville-nouveau troupe of players, who present original comic plays. Using frequent audience participation and utter destruction of the ‘fourth-wall,’ Sound & Fury makes their works light & accessible, and non-threatening to a modern audience with limited attention spans.
Imperial Knights – recreate the thrill of a medieval joust. Dashing knights, beautiful damsels and trusty steeds are all a part of each exciting event!
<http://www.ramonabowlrenaissancefaire.com/performers.html>
For the Visitors to the Village of Port Talbot
Public camping will not be available, however participants and vendors will be provided onsite camping including showers.
For Attendees, many hotels are available in the nearby centers of Hemet, Temecula and Riverside. Quick to come to the aid of our dusty Faire travelers is the Hampton Inn and Suites. Reported by the Innkeeper of the Hampton Inn is the offering a special “Ramona Bowl” rate for those who ask for it. Their web link is www.hemetsuites.hamptoninn.com and their phone number is 951-929-7373. I encourage you to make your reservations early, as accomodations such as these are popular among the people.
Riverside and Temecula will be available within 20 minutes or so…and we hope that in the near future list of bed and breakfasts will be offered on the site.
Pets are Welcomed!!!! Wonderous news, dear ones! The kind staff of the Ramona Bowl Renaissanice Faire will allow pets at the faire! For more information, click here!
If you’re bringing a pet along on your travels, make sure you keep him or her cool and relaxed while visiting. I’m quite certain that any vendor, or tavern-keeper will be pleased to share a bit of water and shade for your dearest companion should you ask kindly. I myself shall bring my faithful companion with me, Sir Baxter von Pommern, a nobel hound, and most discerning in his choice of ladies, and not inclined to overdress.
Ticket Information
Adults: $16.00 Buy four for the price of three, with our new “Cart-Load” purchase option!
Seniors (62+) / Student / Military: $12.00
Children: $12.00
Parking – $5.00
What’s the Message from The Village of Port Talbot?
They want to welcome everyone. They’re truly excited about the Faire, and want to get the message out to both, traditional faire goers as well as the newcomers. “Ye Great and Small are Welcome to our Village of Port Talbot, and if you haven’t had an opportunity to experience the fun of the Renaissance Faire, we want to make you comfortable. Families, Groups, Adventurers, in costume or out of costume are welcome.” Judy comments, and goes on to say “The Ramona Bowl Renaissance Faire is a rich and varied production. It is our long term goal at having a solid faire at this time of the year in Southern California, and it’s something new that we want people to experience.”
Need more information? For press and promotional information you can contact Judy directly at judy@rkrmedia.com and for production and operations direction, Paul Jacques at paul@ramonabowlbowl.com
What does the Faire Reporter have to say about the Harvest Festival in the Village of Port Talbot?
My dear ones, surely you must discern the excitement I show when writing of this adventurous undertaking. I am preparing even now for the journey! See you there!
- A stolen kiss? Will someone pay?
