Sunday morning: another great day for faire in Louisiana! As usual, Regina and I just managed to miss Gate. Now I really wanted to catch the Bilge Pumps' early morning show at the Queen's Stage -- in fact, we could hear them drumming away even as we entered -- but first we had to meet'n greet all our friends, old and new. We were hardly inside, for example, when Regina spotted Thumpur (Photo, Left) near the Royal Pavilion. Since they both wanted to spend more time together getting better acquainted, I was quite happy turning Regina over to him for the day. Now at the same time, I also encountered my LRF contact Johanna with her daughter, the Princess Patricia (Photo, Below Right). Of course we all had to stop and chat awhile before strolling slowly together down the lane again toward the Queen's Stage. Then midway there we met Craig of Farrington serenading all the passersby, so naturally we had to stop and listen to a most romantic ballad -- for the benefit of the ladies present, mind you. Needless to say, by the time we finally arrived at the Queen's Stage, the Bilge Pumps were just finishing up their first show of the day! At that point, I again spotted my friends Dana and Kim (AKA "The Stalkwells") in the crowd. After the usual round of introductions and greetings, they informed me that King John (AKA Chuck Davis) was about to be kidnapped by the peasants of the village. Since I wanted to wait for the kidnapping with The Stalkwells, Regina and Thumpur decided to go ahead together to the Dripping Dog Inn, checking out the shops along the way. They had scarcely departed when the peasants made their move (Photo, Below Left). While one wench, um, "distracted" the Royal Guards, two others threw a cloak over the King and led him off, backstage. He was supposed to reappear -- in DRAG! -- near the Dragon's Watch Forge by the Food Court, so The Stalkwells and I sauntered slowly down the lane toward the lake, taking "portraits of opportunity" as we went. As it was, we only made it as far as the cutoff to the King's Stage before encountering the "King in Drag," touring the faire with his peasant followers. Ah, and what a lovely, um, "wench" he was, indeed (Photo, Below Center) -- all three of us had a great time photographing this procession!!! Alas, but The Stalkwells had a long drive home before them, so we only got to hang out together 'til noon before their departure for Dallas. For me, t'was right sad saying farewell to them both, then. Since they weren't planning on returning to LRF the rest of this season, it meant I wouldn't be seeing them again until Excalibur, next year!

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: PO Box 220, Robert, LA 70455-0220) and/or any of the sponsors associated with this event. All opinions expressed are strictly this author's own. LRF logo courtesy of the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. Unless noted otherwise, all photographs are copyright ©2000-2003 by George Laking.