The Bristol Renaissance Faire is an iconic Wisconsin destination/experience/place to eat a turkey leg while watching a guy get pelted with tomatoes. And while there’s still time to get ye olde arse to Bristol (its final weekend is Labor Day weekend), things are winding down. If only there was a smaller, neighborhood-focused ren faire that could make the waning days of summer even more magical…
Huzzah! There totally is! Gird your loins and plump your bosoms for the Argren Faire, billed as “Riverwest’s first ren faire.” On Sunday, September 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., the inaugural Argren Faire will set up shop at Black Husky Brewing and Garden Park (that lot across the street, next to the old Public House). “Vendors, fantasy authors, cos-players, performers, and all manner of quizzical folks welcome!” reads the event description. “Events include a medieval drag parade, Deeplight LARP combat ring, Feats of Strength, a beer brewed for the event, food trucks, vendors and more.”
And indeed there is more. The Argren Faire takes its inspiration from the mythical land of Argren—a.k.a. the setting of the Spirit Song Saga by Milwaukee author Ross Hightower. From the author:
At its heart, The Spirit Song Saga is a very personal story of Minna and Alyn Hunter, two Alle’oss sisters hunted by the Empire for having spirit sight. But their journey is woven into the broader narrative of how a peaceful people, the Alle’oss, manage to overthrow their imperial oppressors. The Spirit Song Saga is no simple tale, but a truly epic fantasy about the world of Argren, with its own history, language, art and lore.
Hightower’s website has Spirit Song maps, timelines, suggested reading orders, and more. So if you’re looking for a homegrown ren faire and a homegrown Cosmere-esque fantasy world to get lost it, mark Sunday, September 15 on ye olde calendar.
Map of Argren
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