The word “huzzah” originates from a type of war cry used when intense emotion spikes on a battlefield. Now, the word “huzzah” is most commonly used as a celebration. This late September day, I learned of its more cheesy and endearing third usage.
Huzzah in the streets! Huzzah to the crowd! Huzzah through the audience, and huzzah to the costume-dressed, laundry-washing ladies downing liquid courage in one gulp. The term, thrown willy-nilly, echoes through the make-believe in which people of all ages come together.
The Renaissance Fair, commonly known as a Renfaire, was hosted in its own make-believe town set in medieval times near Detroit, MI. In a quick turn of events, I was graciously offered a ticket and beckoned to join strangers on a quest to my first-ever event of this magnitude.
As it continues, all are urged to dress up. From kids with tiny quivers filled with arrows and dogs covered in chain-mail armor to adult men brandishing horns and wings, those in modern attire stuck out like sore thumbs.
Having dressed like this for multiple Halloweens and having recently practiced archery, throwing together a textbook fantasy ranger outfit did me justice. Like my single-day friends, I coveted many objects such as jewelry, crowns, and tiny knives.
The fair itself showed off an array of shops, taverns, sculptures, and performances all fitting together within a frame of fantasy and medieval-ness. Sometimes, even the guests played along, making games to share, like spreading the plague among all those who attended.
Plenty of artists, carvers, and creators shared their crafts, selling ranges of weaponry and clothing items of a particular variety. Leather pouches, dragon talons, bejeweled circlets, wire elf ears, and coin scarves littered stalls and graced many costumes.
Here, every single guest and attendee had personalities that bubbled from the surface with smiling faces and exaggerated moods. Even the street performers seemed to play the simplest tricks, reacting in the most amazing ways.
Never before have I felt such a feeling of belonging in my life dressed as a character from a fantasy setting.
Sure, as daunting as it seems to dress up and pretend about what you are not, the rules for the norm fall away, leaving what’s left pure happiness in a place to belong.
Before this point, the only time I’d seen people gather like this has been at convention experiences. Buying tickets to walk art booths and watching creators talk on panels about fixations for hours on end. Society labels these people as nerds, each one blamed on behaviors and weird dress-ups that are considered out of the norm.
When I have seen friends dress up, I have always wished to have enough confidence to ignore hecklers and those who think of barking as a way to interact. Through the years of being in “fandoms,” I find those of normal interests tend to look down upon those who enjoy media to the extent I do.
Respect is not given, so those who genuinely enjoy a book series or TV show are shunned to a life of secrecy and hidden hobbies. But, in a place like the Renfaire, all the curtains are drawn open.
The community knits together tightly, creating a bond in which none are judged or demeaned, and instead focuses on lifting each other up. All capes and swords are cool. All horns and makeup and spectacularly crafted. There is very little that is considered “weird.”
When strangers make other strangers feel welcomed, the cacophony of voices sing shanties and play instruments. And, when something is extraordinary, the cry of huzzah rings into the air.
If there is one experience or memory I would want everyone to have, it would be attending a Renaissance Fair. Sure, as daunting as it seems to dress up and pretend about what you are not, the rules for the norm fall away, leaving what’s left: pure happiness and a place to belong.
And to those who I shared my first journey with, thank you. For all the joy encompassed in eight hours of true happiness, you made the day worth more than gold and jewels. To you, I raise a toast and call out; huzzah!
