La Oubliette Ren Faire - Baldwin Park

I really enjoyed interacting with the staff, performers, and cast members, who fully embraced their characters and spoke in Renaissance lingo. I do have to admit, though, that the lines for food and games were incredibly long and quite pricey. By noon, the bratwurst sandwich was sold out, and I was left with a rather bland bangers sandwich. On the plus side, the live entertainment around the faire was fantastic. For the jousting event, I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes early if you want a decent seat, as we were left with standing room only and warned that the area was at capacity just five minutes before the show started. I noticed that many of the vendors had similar items for sale, which made it feel a bit repetitive. Overall, we had a great time seeing everyone in costumes, enjoying the live performances, meeting the Queen herself, and just having a fun day out with friends. Just a heads up: on the big swing ride, prepare for your shoes to be knocked off while you're airborne!

The fair was enjoyable, though it wasn't really my cup of tea. It was nice to finally attend one. However, parking was $12, which felt a bit excessive for just parking in a field. Additionally, most vendors only accepted cash, which was a hassle, especially since the ATMs there charged high withdrawal fees. It seems the vendors haven't caught on to options like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.

My friend and I went this past weekend and had a blast. We go every year, usually during Ren Con Weekend (each weekend has a theme! This year was busy like the rest with everyone dressed up as something! This is such a fun experience just to go and people watch, make friends, tons of drinks (alcoholic and mock-tails, all delicious shows to see, things to buy (bro bf a lot of Cash to shop! and things to do. Great for kids and adults/ they have a whole section for the kids to make candles, little rides, and overall a fun atmosphere for all. Adults can enjoy the archery, javelin throw, and various games. They have a joust I have rarely made it to the end. There is a hookah booth, henna, didn't mention a ton of bars and food! I've bought from all the stands Chocolate yes, honey yes! Mead! All of the trinkets are worth it, especially the flower crowns (I get one every year to collect Everyone is in a great mood and happy to chat. My friend and I don't eat a lot here, we do go to the smoothie station, and the peach tea with hibiscus is to die for yummy. Go in comfortable shoes, it is dusty and dirty or cold (check the weather! Come dressed up, you can rent here too! Sunscreen, and a lot of cash, more than you think you'll need.

Now, the downsides: it's quite pricey, often overcrowded, hot, and there are long lines and limited parking. I found everything to be more expensive than expected; a beer was $17, parking cost $12, a tiny piece of fudge was also $12, and tickets were $45 each. So, be sure to budget ahead of time. Also, note that most vendors only accept cash. The crowds made it hard to move around, with lines everywhere. On the bright side, I loved dressing up in my elf ears, corset, and medieval-style archer outfit. I received so many compliments and people wanted to take my photo. I adore cosplay and the fantasy genre, and it was amazing to see everyone in character and showcasing their creativity through fashion. The jousting event is a must-see, too. Pro tip: bring your own food! Each year, I pack a cooler in my car with homemade sandwiches, cold drinks, chips, guacamole, and dessert. It saves money and helps me avoid the long food lines. Well met, and thank you for reading!

The Ren Faire was pretty good this year, the signs directing you to the parking lot were easy to follow, the parking was quick and effortless, and purchasing tickets was fast. The actors were nice and funny and in character, the food was yummy good, the shows were all entertaining,I look forward to next year! Highly recommend.