Riverssance, a renaissance faire in Siouxland, Sioux City

This weekend saw another renaissance faire in Sioux City, Iowa, Riverssance, the name which reflects the fact that the Missouri River borders this community and the faire is held in a park that is nearby. Like all renaissance faires, you have your characters in dress and a bit of feel of that time period along with some music. This faire for its location and size is pleasant with those participating as characters speaking and acting the period.

What I always find interesting though, are the characters themselves, and whether these people just pick a “type” to portray and have fun for the day, or if the character itself embodies something these people like to portray. Not exactly Halloween, but possibly similar. There are fairies, nobles, knights, knaves, maidens, and others, like Mud Man. But it is fun to watch and parlay with the folk and think that time has transported one somewhere else for a bit before reality once again sets in and the fantasy is over.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Leatherwear at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A harlequin character unmasked at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A horned creature at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A knight who has vision problems at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

Dressed to impress at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A harlequin character in mask at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A Grey Beard who decided he was not Roger nor is he jolly at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A maid and her suitor at the end of their fight at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A couple of soldiers who danced more than they beat with iron weapons at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

The Mud Man, left, blessing many people at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

Two maidens each with a blessing from the Mud Man at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A fairy with her bubble at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

Two of Robin’s men who couldn’t decide if they are merry or not at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A warrior in search of a battle at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

Two fairy godmothers spreading a little magic at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A King greeting subjects at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A fairy tunnel entrance at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

Apple Annie, left, and her sister at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

Apple Annie at Riverssance in Sioux City, Iowa, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)