Renaissance Fair Returns to Woods Hole

A cherished holiday tradition returns to Woods Hole this Saturday: the Woods Hole Renaissance Fair, a free festival at the Community Hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bronwen Prosser Armstrong posts on Patch: 

"Come find the perfect holiday gift made by a local artist, enjoy hearing the  solstice singers and live musicians sing and play unique holiday music. Eat delicious soups and snacks, or visit the tea house for a wide assortment of sweets! Make or purchase your holiday wreath, and enjoy special items and activities designed for children. A festive outing, this unique renaissance fair is unlike anything else in the Falmouth area. Bring the whole family. Free to all. Handicap accessible."

Here's what Woods Hole innkeeper/restaurateur Beth Colt had to say about the festival in her Falmouth Patch blog:

"As a newcomer to Woods Hole, this event is one of the ways I have found to meet others and connect with this incredible, close-knit community.

My favorite thing about the Fair is the way the whole community comes together to put it on.  Volunteers show up the day before at the Firehouse to start assembling evergreen wreaths and garlands, chatting and catching up in the chill air as they make these lovely hand-made greens. 

That same day, every baker in Woods Hole is at home whipping up some amazing "tea house" treats and sweets, for sale the next day upstairs at the Firehouse.  Transformed with tables and chairs into a warm and cosy cafe for the day, the Tea House is one of the best parts of the Renaissance Fair crowded with happy kids and their grandmothers enjoying a home-made sweet. 

The morning of the Fair, craft makers from Woods Hole and all over Cape Cod arrive early and dress their tables with unique gifts and crafts not available anywhere but right here -- photo books from the area, jewelry, sock puppets, calendars with Woods Hole pictures, hand-knit scarves and sweaters, hand-made letterpress stationary and books... It's really a cornucopia of great things and I plan to knock off my whole holiday list that day!

Then there are the Solstice Singers who march in the middle of the day in Renaissance garb, several of them shouldering a paper mache roast pig on a large platter. This is the colorful highlight of the day's events, and many children follow them in and then gape at their lovely singing voices as they entertain the whole hall with a free concert!

I hope you will join us at this year's Renaissance Fair -- an incredible expression of community and love, and a great place to find that special something for the holidays.  You will see me there!"

Now it's your turn: What do you love about the Woods Hole Renaissance Fair? Tell us in the comments.