Village streetsweeper or industrious Wise Woman -- Ryleh couldn't decide which. Just to be on the safe side, he was most polite to the lady. I certainly didn't want to be TOAD! Seeing her at her work did give me a chuckle, tho. Considering the quantities of sand at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival, she reminded me of the lines from Lewis Carroll's poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter": "If seven maids with seven mops Swept it for half a year. Do you suppose," the Walrus said, "That they could get it clear?"

Christophe the Insulter (AKA Chris Buehlman) is a well-known performer at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival. It was great watching him practicing his, er, "trade" at LRF! The more you pay him, the more outrageously he will insult your chosen victim!!! Yet even then, his insults are never demeaning nor cutting -- his "targets" are far more embarassed by suddenly being the prolonged center of attention in a crowd of strangers rather than being truly "insulted". In fact, at the end of one particular dazzling performance which Ryleh witnessed, the victim actually tipped him quite generously... even tho Christophe had been paid most handsomely beforehand to insult the fellow, already!!!

One of the handlers from the Birds of Prey Show paused for a moment to have his portrait taken with his birds. Twice daily during the faire, the hawks and falcons of Birds of Prey performed in free-flight demonstrations of the Medieval Art of Falconry at the Jouting Arena. Not only were their performances most educational but their speed and grace in flight was truly a joy to behold!

	This spritely Gypsy lass added a wond'rous bright touch to the faire with her exotic costume -- and especially her skirt of many colors! For a first year faire, LRF certainly could boast a fine bevy of beautiful young ladies, maidens and wenches in the most attractive of garb: a photographer's delight!

Now this country maid was certainly ready for market, carrying her basket in one hand with a leathern flask on her hip. No, there were no eggs in her basket as far as I could see -- but she did have a ready smile for every visitor. Not only were the cast and crew of LRF right friendly and outgoing all the time, but they were also both willing and happy to pause'n pose for every camera present!

Standard Disclaimer: This webpage is strictly an *Unofficial* look at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival held near Hammond, LA in the Parish of Tangipahoa. The author of these pages is in no way, shape, manner or form connected with the Louisiana Renaissance Festival (OFFICE ADDRESS: 4521 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd, Suite 104, PMB 271, Baton Rouge, LA 70816) and/or any of the sponsors associated with this event. All opinions expressed are strictly this author's own. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are copyright ©2000-2001 by George Laking.