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Dickens Fair at the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls
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35 reviews for Dickens Fair at the Cow Palace Exhibition Halls
I forgot to mention that the Fair has been adding new exhibits and characters in the past couple of years. The producers were clever to include other Victorian literary authors besides Dickens, such as Lewis Carrol and Jules Verne.
From my research I found that Verne admired the works of Dickens very much. Verne was more focused on science and is considered one of the ground-breakers in what now referred to as science fiction. Yet, like Dickens his insights into humans was extraordinary.
Dickens seemed to focus very much on social issues and the needs of every aspect of Victorian society.
Speaking of the works of Charles Dickens, Walt Disney has made an animated version of "A Christmas Carol." It will debut in theaters in November this year.
It really is amazing that so many versions and variations of "A Christmas Carol" have been made over the years. And really when compared to all of Dickens' work, "A Christmas Carol" is perhaps his smallest. It is a very thin book and can be read in less than a day.
It is perhaps the most popular and most well known of all his works. I find that reading the actual book, especially around the end of year is gratifying if you really want to get into the Christmas spirit.
And, with so many versions and variations of his tale out there it is good to go right to the source and read word for word what Dickens actually wrote.
For more information about this year's fair visit:
http://www.dickensfair...
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10/13/2009
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair is an annual event that has a lot of charm. It has been around for… Read more »
When I was a little girl, I used to imagine what it would have been like to live in a different time period. I imagined what my life would have been like, what type of clothing would I have worn and the food I would have consumed. Even as an adult I still ponder on this every once in a while.
And then I wake up. I think about all of the things I wouldn't have experienced. Like great fitting jeans, spa days and amazing vacations with TDF cuisine. Yes, I like living in present times just fine.
That is where events like the Dickens' Faire come in to play. They can satisfy that bit of curiosity about how life was back in the day. For those of you who have ever experienced that curiosity, the Dickens' Faire is worth a visit.
It is held at the Cow Palace in Daly City every year on the weekends from Thanksgiving through Christmas. The location is not on my list of must visit places (I'm not really into the whole livestock thing), but it is good for this venue.
There are many people dressed in period appropriate attire. Picture ladies in full hoop skirts with bonnets and men with waist coats and top hats. Some guests even join in and wear costumes to get into character. There are many little shops to browse around. Entertainment in the form of dance halls and saloons can be found. You may even catch a glimpse of Scrooge walking through the streets of London reenacting a scene from "A Christmas Carol".
My favorite place to grab a bite to eat is Mrs. Cuthbert's Tea Room. Reservations are highly recommended. I love to enjoy a pot of Earl Grey tea with some scones and shortbread. So relaxing. I would love to have the time for a proper tea every day.
The Dickens' Faire is a fun event for the family. Just watch out for the livestock droppings on the way in.... ;)
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I feel like I'm in a cheesy episode of the original Star Trek and my mission is to not disturb the natural course of events. I've been beamed down to the streets of Victorian London watching people in contemporary clothing of that era. Some of them are engaged in loud conversations regarding payment for a Christmas goose, or perhaps a solicitation of services rendered or maybe just a good humored verbal jousting. All the while a cast of characters walk by; Jacob Marley weighed down with chains, Fezziwig jovial and boisterous, an Artful Dodger zipping through the crowd, a group of drunk chimney sweeps creating havoc to name just a few.
There is ale to be drunk, food to be feasted upon (rather pricey though) and artisans' booths to visit, games to be played, and live shows to be seen.
So every now and then it's fun and refreshing to just get transported back in time and forget your present day worries; things were simpler back then, people were nicer, the air was cleaner, good will and merriment everywhere .....actually if you read historic accounts of Victorian London it sounds pretty miserable, but forget about that too.
"It is a fair, even-handed, noble adjustment of things, that while there is infection in disease and sorrow, there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good-humour."
- A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
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First time at the Dickens Christmas Fair, I thought it was ok. If you have nothing else better to do on a rainy day then maybe it's worth going. Otherwise save your money & stay home.
Regular price is $22, but if you take Bart and show your Bart ticket you save $5. I took Bart to Glen Park Station & they have a FREE shuttle to take you to the Cow Palace in Daly City. I paid $17 with a credit card.
Get a FREE Program before you enter. It's really important to get one because it tells you about the different shows & stages w/ the times to see them all. Inside is a map.
We stayed for 5 hrs! We gotta get our money's worth.
Things we saw:
The Crummles Theatrical - ok play
Illusionist Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin - just ok
Pirates of Penzance - nice music, singing. 1hr show
Trey: Professional Showoff - just ok
Naughty French Postcards Revue (18 & over) - get a FREE ticket as soon as you enter the main area, limited seating. Lots of boobs to see! No photos allowed. 45 min show.
Legion Fantastique: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea - boring.
Congress of Wonders & Atrocities - not funny at all, skip it.
Paddy West Sings Songs of the Seven Seas - not good, skip it.
Habbi'Ru Middle Eastern Music & Dance - ok.
Toy Parade - short like 5 min, just ok. Person in a bunny costume - ohhkayyyy - in the area called The Streets (inside of course)
Her Majesty Queen Victoria Visits London - seen In the Streets (inside of course). I liked this. Her and her courts was nice to see.
Dark Garden - lots of people just sitting & posing while we take pics of them. Nice costumes.
Food: Prices are a bit high for me, we didn't buy anything. Tip: bring your own Food & Drinks..not even a water fountain to be found. We did get some samples of the Cinnamon Crunch Almonds ($4.75 a bag) which smells better than they taste.
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Crap! I missed it this year, but not for the trying of one of my pals, who kept calling me every weekend, and I could hear the fun being had without me.
I could practically smell the candied almonds and fresh baked scones with clotted cream.
drat....
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10/3/2007
Warning: possible TMI in this review.
Hi, my name is Amelia, and I am a costume junkie. Yes, 24… Read more »
astounding. roasted almonds + warm english accents + mad sal's brothel = absolute equilibrium of holiday cheer. Happy Christmas everyone!
high tea absolutely recommended...make rezzies
My wonder wifie and I will be there this weekend. We've gone every day of this year and last year in full costume and love it. Tons of our ren faire friends are there.
Part of the unique escape of the place is the SAME lighting (London at dusk) ALL day long, Thus, you don't know what time it is and you don't care what time it is. Be outgoing, use fair-speak and be amazed how many warm,funny, creative, sharp people interact with you and enjoy your character.
If you aren't white and want to see exactly how weird white folks can get when no one is looking, check out the Dickens Faire.
If you are white, have a passion for carnie-types with vivid imaginations and theatrical reenactment quirkiness, welcome to your Mecca.
When I was a kid, we used to go every year as a sort of holiday tradition, but this year, as an adult, I realized what a twilight zone this place really is. It still has the old timey performances, dance floor for waltzing, Cockney accents, amazing costumes, and unusual craft booths. But there is another element that I'd never noticed as a little tyke: the STRONG sexual undertone!
My cousins found me wandering aimlessly as I stuffed the last of a peasant pie into my mouth: "What's up Eeyore? Why the glum face?"
Me: "Oh I don't know; this really isn't my scene, but we have a 6 o'clock tea time so I'm kinda just hanging around..."
Cuz: "Why aren't you drinking?!?! You have to get drunk to enjoy a place like this." He turns to Cuz #2: "She needs some Hard Dickens Cider. [laughter] Yeah, some HARD, HOT Dickens Cider. [more laughter] Get it? Hard, Hot Dick-Inside-Her?"
And so set the tone for the rest of the day.
By tea time, I had enjoyed the nudie review (boobies!), was full of hot Dicken nuts (toasted, sugared almonds), and had a pack of dirty ole chimney sweeps following me around making lewd and lascivious jokes. It's the kind of fun that gets in your hair, in your clothes, and under your fingernails: by the end of the day I was speaking in accent and heckling the blokes.
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I am a woman of ill repute. I frequent Mad Sal's and you can see my ankles quite plainly. I drink hard cider. My face is painted and I flirt with your gent in the public shoppes. Well how else are you supposed to get a man?
Follow me to the naughty French Postcards show...just leave your gentle sensibilities and minors outside. It's not dodgy, just a bit randy!
I love this fair. Fun and learning without the chalky aftertaste. Sure it can get expensive, especially if you make your own costume. If you just want to go and have fun and maybe find some unique Christmas presents this is a cool place to go. Learn to dance. We all look silly. It's part of the fun.
UPDATE 12/07
I've moved up in the world. I'm a foiyn laydee now. I wear skirts all the way to the floor. Not a bit of ankle to be seen. That's all thanks to me new gent. 'e's a fine one, 'e is. Bought me cider and 'eld me arm and everyfink. I think I 'ave 'im fooled! It's bloody 'ard dancing in a full skirt, I tell ya! Them other ladies 'ave a bit of skill, I'm thinkin'.
Me gent loved the postcard show again. 'e's got a lovely naughty streak, 'e does. I love 'im for it. And for bringing me back every year.
OI! 'ands off me man ya trollops! I'll 'ave your guts for garters ya scabby wenches!!!
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I say! I've actually been to two of these bally things. What ho! And what ho's! Of course I get very, very drunk on this Red Cider that I've only ever had at the Dickens Faire. It's a gottdamn christmas tradish with me. The stuff is 7.0% whatsis or something. For beer that is a lot. Sxxx will get you fxxxed ux!
Now I've yet to go in period dress.
But this last time I did resolve.
That next year I'm going to get just as drunk here.
But I will roll with a group in Star Trek clothing and character.
To Boldly Go!
To the Dickens Planet.
I'll be Schiensh Oshiffer Shpock.
(period costumed fair-goers comments, from the future):
~ "They were all dicks. They just stood around taking readings of everyone"
~ "One of them tried to explain a custom people from his planet had, called a blow-job"
~ "lt. beesknees tried to sell me some dilithium capsules or something and their "Scotty" was a big drunk Chinese guy"
~ "Those re-enactors think their Sci-Fi is so superior a re-enaction than our somewhat historical one!"
Me: "Curious Captain. Though the people on this planet are clearly influenced by the works of Charles Dickens, I just saw an anachronistic Sherlock Holmes walk by, to say nothing of several gay pirates. Illogical. Anyhow, I'm gonna puke! Blaahhoooowwwwiieeaawww!".
Mad Sal's is the beer stand I like here. For last round, at least on the last night of the run, the serving staff strip down to their undergarments. Which are Victorian. So it's basically like they strip down to modern chaste street-clothes. No writing on asses allowed.
Anyhow, no music to go with this review, though if you're thinking Jethro Tull, you're probably right.
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Ok People, just want to let everyone know that if you go to the Dickens Christmas Fair don't and I mean DON'T eat at ACROPOLIS Greek place. The food is terrible. We had a chicken pita which was very bad. The chicken was processed. It was made with pieces of heart, gizzard and god knows what else. Very bad. I had a gyros. Now all good people who love Greek food like I do know that a gyro is made up of beef and lamb with the best sauce in the world. Well this one was all beef and tasted terrible and there was no sauce. I would not recommend eating at that place
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11/30/2008
Well here we go again off to the Great Dickens Christmas Fair. Our first time on a Sunday and… Read more »
For the last 5 years the Dickens Fair has been played out for 4-5 weekends here. This year from Thanksgiving weekend (starting Friday) through December 18th.
Its not Pier 45 by any means (where the fair was until the '89 earthquake), but the space is fantasticly huge and you definitely get the feeling you are in Dickensian England.
In case you know nothing about it, let me fill you in a little bit. The premiss is you are emerged into the world of Charles Dickens and all the books he wrote. You can find him reading excerpts from his books regularly at the Green Man Inn.
You can see many types of live shows, french postcards, music halls, drink, eat be merry, shop. Watch fencing. Lots to do. Lots of Victorian folks to interact with. Contests that visitors can take part in and win prizes.
Books are acted out live in the streets all the day long. Look for Oliver Twist or Nicholas Nickleby, and yes of course Mr. Scrooge. He's imported from actual England! Don't be surprised when the Victorain folks come and talk to you. Never be afraid to talk to them.
Check it out. Its really great fun. Tho not exactly cheap, you can order discount tickets at http://www.dickensfair...
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Great for adults and children alike.
The food is excelent, although expensive.
The trinkets and baubles that are sold here are the same thing every year (or just about), but this is a good place to see Wah-Maker clothing before you buy it. Also, this is an excelent outlet for custom-made corsets brought by Dark Garden Corsetry.
The shows are excelent, I am biased ofcourse, but the 600+ cast works incredibly hard to bring an extensive and changing show.
There is so much going on that it is impossible to see everything in one day.
For those who have never been, you CAN and SHOULD talk to everyone. Reading some Dickens works is a plus, but is completely unnecessary.
After being part of this engaging event for several years, I am still surprised by the amount of people that attend and make this event a staple of their Christmas traditions here in the bay area.
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I had sooooooo much fun last weekend! I thought no way would we stay until closing, but we did - later even!! Let me try to quickly state everything we did: danced a waltz and a polka (actors taught us how), saw a silly play that made us laugh (stupid fun is always good), listened to some great singing, pet a real owl (silky feathers!), watched a can-can dance, did some shopping, tried on period garb, listened to a Scottish band and to a harpist, danced another waltz and polka, danced one of those line dances like in Jane Austen movies (a dream come true!), and sang along to Handel's Messiah.
We also ate some good food: hot cinamon almonds, pot pies, French onion soup, and warm spiced mead, this old time honey liquor.
We didn't even get to do everything we wanted, and fully intend to go back. Sooooo much fun - you would be amiss to miss it!
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I've been going to the Dickens Christmas Fair since I was a wee toddler! It is a Bay Area Christmas tradition like Nutcracker and Christmas Carol performances.
I have to say, this year is the best show they've had in a long time! They have crafts, games, amazing food, and TONS of entertainment for all ages. Don't miss the fun - I HIGHLY APPROVE!
Okay...here's the official stuff!
The Great Dickens Christmas Fair: A holiday adventure into Victorian London, partying with hundreds of costumed players in 90,000+ square feet of theatrically-lit music halls, pubs, dance parties and Christmas shops on winding lanes. It's a twilight evening in Charles Dickens' London Town --- a city filled with lively and colorful characters from both literature and history. Enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty foods fill the air.
Cries of street vendors hawking their wares ring out above the bustling crowd. Dozens of lamplit shops are filled to overflowing with Christmas presents.
New this year:
-An expanded Children's Area!
-Pirates of Penzance! Gilbert and Sullivan's classic on stage every day!
-Legion Fantastique! Jules Verne's characters come to life in their fantastic museum!
And much...much MORE!
And it's all in a Holiday Humor!
Where: Cow Palace Exhibition Halls, 2600 Geneva Avenue, San Francisco
When: Five Weekends...Nov23 - Dec 23 2007!
Who: Brought to you by Red Barn Productions and the Patterson Family, who created and directed the popular Renaissance Pleasure Faire at Black Point in Marin for 25 years, the Dickens Christmas Fair is a treasured Bay Area tradition since 1970.
Ticket
Sales: For discount advance ticket sales, visit http://www.dickensfair...
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I hated it. so boring. ugh. but its really big. so little prizes, sucked for me. Maybe great for you. I rather read the book. the eggnog wasn't the "SHIT"
but then maybe it's just the old ages.
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I just got back from the Dickens Fair. I don't go every year, but have probably made it 4 times out of the last 5.
We immediately went for the food when they raised the curtain. We always eat the fish and chips, and get a soda from the bar in that area. Today we sat next a woman who fully dressed the part, complete with cockney accent, and had great fun with her.
I enjoy the music as well. We watched the entirety of Pirates of Penzance, and it was outstanding for a free show. And, of course, we ended up at Mad Sal's, where I joined in the singing of many a bawdy song.
Tips: It's very expensive, $20 a person (plus food = $9 for fish n' chips, only 2 fish included...but you gotta realize they have to truck everything in). Download coupons off the website, or chum up to someone who has a booth at the antique shows (they have free coupons). And parking is $10 a car now; park outside the lot if you can. In any case, get there early (before 11 am) so that you can find parking either inside or out.
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After being insanely busy during the first part of December, we finally had a weekend without plans right before Christmas. In a search to do something to get us in the Christmas spirit, we came across the Dickens Fair. We tried to get friends and family to join us to no avail (to be honest, I'm just lucky I could convince my husband to go). Nevertheless, it we had an awesome time! We were swept up in the festivities.. he even bought an old fashioned newsboy hat a la Brad Pitt. We also did some last minute Christmas shopping there. They even had a Harry Potter style magic wand shop!
We're definitely going back next year.. maybe even in costume. What the heck? When else can you dress that way? And I think our friends and family will join us this time.
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I liked the idea, but I hated it.
It was a bunch of Drama geeks.
I went once and now I never have to go again.
But the costumes were really great.
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This is one of those things you should experience once in your lifetime. A lot of people get into character, getting dolled up in old-fashioned dresses, so it's kind of hard to tell who's actually part of the show and who's not. We stumbled upon an adventure club which totally reminded me of the South Park episode about the Super Adventure Club. It's quiet family oriented (though there was one 18+ event, oooh la la!) so bring the kids out. The shoppes here sell vintage cards, wands, crowns, and the likes.
I think it's quite pricey for what it is. Reg tickets run for about $20ish. Go after 4pm, for $8 off your ticket and you'll feel less obligated to stay for a long period of time.
It was so good I had to go again and then it was so good i have to go again! It was wonderfully romantic and fun and great to be at the fair. It was even more fun being dressed up (except when we had to pee the stalls are smaller then the dresses and slips and crinoline...) and dance and sing and explore. Next year I want to get more involved or go everyday! The costumes were Divine and the corset magnificent. The mead was yummy and the absinthe bar was deli-sh! But if you go you must see the postcard review... delightful!
When I saw an event posting for this I knew I HAD to go. How often do you find an elaborate recreation of Victorian England? Not often enough.
It was hard getting people to go because, some people see it as another Ren Fair basically. In the end I went with exactly ONE friend after asking about 30. We took the bart, and since I wanted to dress up for the fair I got a lot of odd looks and a couple of questions from people. The shuttle was completely full when we got to it so we had to wait another 20 minutes.
When we got there, it was absolutely delightful. Once I went in it really did feel like Victorian England. My friend wasn't dressed up but I was. It is infinitely more enjoyable if you're wearing a costume, because you almost swear that you've gone back 150 years in time. But that's the thing, you have to really want to get into it, and once you do, the Dickens Fair becomes magical. It was worth all of the weird stares and questions that people gave me on the bart.
There's so much to see and do that you really can't inhale it all in one go. You've got to go more than once. The people who planned this were very elaborate and if you take the time to go once, twice, or five, you'll have a different experience each time.You'd think it'd get boring after the first time, but it does not. Even after trying to explore every crevice of this place the first time, the second time I went I just found there was so much more I didn't see and more I didn't do. If I could have I'd of gone a few more times.
The food is a bit over priced however. But you're really just paying for an experience. It can be likened to paying for food at a theme park.
If you're going to have something to eat however you've GOT to have the meat pies. They're delicious! I'd sell my soul for more of these.
The candied almonds are also absolutely amazing. Especially straight out of the machine. I had an allergic reaction to all the cinnamon dust that flew around, so if you're sensitive to this kind of thing you might want to take some allergy medicine.
Being a sucker for tea, I went to the tea house there. They offered afternoon tea with a complimentary souvenir tea pot, so it was just too hard to resist. I had the salmon and cheese sandwich, with scone, trifle, and English breakfast tea. It was all so good! It was also too much food to eat. The atmosphere there is very quaint and the servers definitely get into character. If you've got the cash to spare, it's a must go. It's usually really crowded, so either go early or make a reservation.
I also had the Cornish pasty, which was good but not amazing and the oyster and chips on a slower day for the fair. It was good, but honestly it wasn't anything to rave about.
There's a lot of rant and rave about the Naughty French postcards show. After missing it the first time, and making it a must see the second I was really let down watching it. I expected too much possibly. I expected it to be a lot more entertaining than I found it to be.
My only regrets are that I didn't find out about this fair sooner, and that my costume wasn't more elaborate! Next year I'm definitely going to make a much more elaborate costume, and go more than just two times.
I could go on forever but basically, if you're willing to give the Dickens Fair a chance, and let yourself get into it, it will be a unique experience to take away. You'll also walk away suffering from withdrawal. It's just that good.
I go every year for Christmas with my friends and family, and just love that it is right in San Francisco at the Cow Palace. (If you take BART, they have a shuttle and if you show your BART ticket, there is a good discount!) We shop while my boyfriend and brother "go to the pub". Then we meet for lunch and end up dancing the rest of the day to live music. Be sure to visit DARK GARDEN, the clothes are so romantic and they have a "boyfriend bench" in front of the shop to watch the models.
I think that it is a great place for kids as well as for some adults - though, I wanted to have more kids events there (not enough). There are lots of theaters and a dance theater that people can enjoy.
However, the cow palace worker at the parking gate is terriable. I had two children under three with a double stroller. He asked me to walk with it on steep slope. What is he thinking? I complained to him and he finally let me go to the other route. He (it seems on duty on Sunday) has such an attitude problem.
http://www.dickensfair... We went one day in 06, after being cajoled by various friends of the Ren Faires to try it, we were in jeans, and didn't stay long. The following year, we put together costumes, WOW what a difference!! After the first three hours, I started crying because I realized I'd been smiling the entire time, and hadn't known I would love it so much. One of the best things is the enactment of A Christmas Carol on the streets, I hear they fly the Scrooge actor over from England. They act out the whole play in various rooms, and you can follow them around, they're oblivious to the audience. There are so many different events, one room of dancing, one room Christmas carols, one room continuous revues including the CanCan, three full bars, fantastic wares, food and drinks, and the usual social scene. Be prepared to spend money on worthwhile things.
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Always the rousing time at Dickens Faire! A holiday tradition of mine for many years.
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For me there are two parts of the Dickens Fair, Fezziwig's and the Fezziwig support mechanism.
I worked Fezzi's in '95 and 00-02. In '03 a scheduling conflict came up and I haven't had the time to work, but I still go there to dance.
If you enjoy dancing at Fezzi's also check out
http://gaskellball.com/
http://peers.org
http://fridaynightwalt...
For food, the greek booth is excellent. I've also heard good reviews of the "lamb plate" at one of the other booths.
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The Dickens Fair is an amazingly wonderful experience. I have revived my attendance in the last several years. It is a very different experience as an adult than as a child and I have to say I quite love drunkenness, corsets, and the French Postcards show.
Make it at least once during the run, I say. Get horribly drunk and enjoy some sailor sing alongs.
Personally, I don't have the effort to dress in period clothing although I do try to wear my hot plaid pants and a vest if I can manage. None of those giant petticoats for me though, thanks. If you're into it, more power to you.
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I won tickets to the Charles Dickens Fair at the Cow Palace and glad I did. I had a grand ole time eating sugared almonds, walking up and down through Dicken's world in old England and enjoying authentic English food (i.e., sausage rolls, pies, etc.). Highly recommend it.
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Ah, Dickens....always enjoyable. If you enjoy corsets, dirtiness, bawdy jokes and strong innuendo, songs of the sea, and general Victorian weirdness, it's a must visit. The characters are awesome and engaging, and the Sea Dogs and the stage down at Mad Sal's boast awesome entertainment. I go every year and always enjoy myself thoroughly.
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Wow what a joy! Worth the admission though parking on the street saves you 10 dollars.
Incredible amount of people in period costumes and oh so friendly. You truly feel as if you are in the Dickens era.
Many unique shops to buy items you cant easlily find anywhere else.
Food pricey but in line with most fairs . Kids will enjoy as well as adults
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The main reasons I attend Dickens Fair are to support friends who are involved with it and to waltz at Fezziwig's Warehouse. The folks at Fezziwig's will gladly help you learn to dance. Dickens can be a fun time and one that many seem to repeat throughout the season.
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Yeah I know, I am biased. i work( money optional!) there for 11 days a year.
Other people seemed to have talked about what it is and how they liked it. Here are some ideas on How to best enjoy it:
-Be in a friendly frame of mind. The POINT of the Fair is not a craft show with food booths. Its live-no-fourth-wall theatre. Meaning that you will be thrust into the world of the charcters. The funny people in costumes will try to talk to you. ITS OK! Play along. Ask questions. We are not here to just stand around in costume.
-Come in costume! It doesn't have to be full costume. A top hat or festive bonnet, a vest, a long gown, a corset. Trust me, it gets you in the spirit and shows the actors you want to play along.
-Read or watch some Dickens! Even if you just watch a Christmas carol, knowing some of the big characters makes the experience more immersive.
-Bring along a child! While there are some adult elments to consider attending Fair is magic for kids. The little girls love the ballroom dancing, the little boys love the fencing and who doesn't want to meet Father Christmas? Experiencing Fair with a kid is sort of like taking them to Disneyland for the first time-you will never forget how excited they get to meet alice in wonderland and they will want to keep comming back for more.
Never again. We got in with a discount (my date was military, and I used my student ID) and entered...a mass of people. Once we got past the first hallway of stalls it wasn't so crowded, and the little groups of actors walking around was cute. Saw Queen Victoria, who stopped for pictures. One thing that really surprised me--you could totally tell the "volunteers" from "the public who dresses up." The volunteers helped us get around the event and see all the shows. They bantered with us and were obviously enjoying their job. The dressed-up public tended to knock into us, stamp their canes on the ground, and take up all the seating. We ended up eating on top of a garbage can because "oh no, my husband's sitting here" who (for the 20 mins we stood there) never showed. She literally shooed my husband off the remaining inch of her bench. But Miss Public needed the entire half-bench for her huge dress, and that should come first, right? Not a veteran. Her stupid dress. On the bright side, LOVED Dark Garden--I got to try on a few corsets and the workers were very sweet, even though their space was packed with people. Also loved the volunteers, and the hot Marines collecting toys at the door. Other than that, we won't be going next year.
I've been going to the Dickens Faire since 1990, minus a few years. This year, I won free tickets off KGO, so I'm happy. My husband's brother dances at the Fezziwig ball at least 4 weekends out of 5 at the event. That's always worth a watch. Yes, I like to walk around and look at the event. Iusually watch at the very least one show. This time it was the Pirates of Penzance. I don't buy much at the faire other than having a drink. The absinthe booth near Mad Sal's was a new and fun experience this year. Many of the craft booths can come off a bit pricey, but it's still interesting to look at. (OK, the pirates booth isn't that expensive- recommend for kids). The food could be better for the price, but I realize it is Bay Area Festival prices. Parking is 10.00, which is standard event parking. If you go, don't forget to bring a toy for the Marines Toys for Tots table near the ticket purchase booth. It's one of my traditions that I try to keep and hope others adopt, too. There's things I think could be better, but I'm glad the faire is there, and same goes for Cow Palace. Senator Leland Yee has proposed SB1527 to raze the Cow Palace and put in a mixed use condo development and Ranch99 market. Somehow, I don't think it would be the same.
