1. Trip to the Renaissance Festival and the Renaissance Period

2. Basic Information Date of Festival: Tuesday, March. 1st
Time: Students need to arrive at school by the normal 8:25. (We will load buses promptly after the announcements)
At the end of the day, you must be back on your bus at 1:45. Please keep track of the time during the day at the festival!
Once we are back at school, you will go home as you usually do (bike, walk, school bus, or parent pick-up).

3. Information
What to wear: Please wear comfortable shoes and bring a jacket. Sweatshirts are great! Plan on your shoes getting dirty, so don’t wear your favorite or newest ones! Wearing sunscreen is also recommended.
Lunch: You may bring your own lunch but you will have to carry it yourself, as the lunches may not be stored on the buses. Pack it in a small backpack or fanny pack and plan to carry it yourself. If you plan to buy your lunch or any snacks at the festival, plan on bringing at least $15! Food and drinks are very expensive. The prices for these items start at $4.00 and go higher. (Last time we were there the turkey legs were $8.) Treats such as dessert-type items sometimes are half-price at the end of the day, but that cannot be guaranteed.
Rides & games: Rides and games cost extra and vary in price from $3 to $5. Bring extra money if you plan to do any of these.

4. Do’s and Don’ts
No regular-sized backpacks should be brought to school. A small backpack/purse or fanny pack should be brought for carrying personal items such as your lunch, water bottle and sunscreen.
Students and chaperones must be in their classroom by the school bell at 8:25. Chaperones must also check in at the office BEFORE coming up to their child’s room.
We will load onto the buses after the announcements.
Students may NOT buy any real or pretend/toy weapons of any kind at the festival. Balloons are also not allowed.
Every student must stay with their chaperoned group at all times. Your chaperone is in charge. Respect them!
No eating or drinking on the bus, except for a water bottle.
Cell phones may be used as cameras ONLY! Absolutely no texting or calling allowed at any part of the day----unless it is being used for an emergency!!! Your teacher will talk to you about what counts as an emergency.

5. Renaissance Festival Rules
**Most of the shows are not sound amplified. It is very important that students follow these show-watching rules.**
If you are watching a show, pay attention to that show. Do not talk to your friends. Be a good audience member and use common courtesy, which means being polite.
Anyone found being disrespectful to the performers or any workers will be escorted off the site by festival safety services and face school consequences.
Anyone being disrespectful to anyone in their group or any other students or people at the festival will be taken to a teacher for consequences and will lose the opportunity to remain with their group. Once back at school, you will be referred to Mrs. Corner.
Please remember that performers and festival workers are people just like you. Treat them just as you would like to be treated. (Remember the Golden Rule!)

6. What Will We Do There?
There are two major demonstrations that we want each student to see. One is a recreation of a jousting tournament with knights in armor performing on horseback. This takes place in the King’s Arena and is included in your ticket price.
We also want every student to see the Birds of Prey Exhibition, which is a fascinating demonstration of the ancient art of ‘falconry.’ This is also included in your ticket price.
A schedule of these activities and other activities along with a map will be given to you by the festival workers once we are inside the main gate.
The festival has games and rides, the cost of which starts at $ Plan to have extra money with you if you want to participate in these.
There are also many other interesting demonstrations done by the ‘village artisans’ that bring the 16th century and the Renaissance period to life.

7. Background on the Renaissance
Renaissance refers to a period of history which began around the 1470s (late 15th Century).
The word Renaissance means “re-birth” or “new beginning.”
It is called this because it followed a very difficult and bleak time period called the Middle Ages or Dark Ages when there were severe famines and horrific plagues that caused many deaths across Europe.
So the ‘re-birth’ or ‘new beginning’ refers to the end of the Middle Ages/Dark Ages and all its problems and a rebirth to the Renaissance.

8. The Renaissance Festival’s Background
Imagine you are stepping back in time to the16th century in an English village called Fairhaven.
The king, queen, and royal family are touring England and stop at this imaginary village.
The Lord and Lady (nobles) of Fairhaven have requested that the villagers provide entertainment, crafts, music, and food for a festival in celebration of the royal family’s visit.
A jousting tournament and other activities are held to honor them.

9. Basics about Life During the Renaissance
During the Dark Ages---BEFORE the Renaissance, there were only two main social classes – the wealthy nobles and the poor peasants, who worked the nobles’ land. Most people were peasants.
However, during the Renaissance, a new middle class of people grew, such as artisans who had special skills, or craftsmen such as blacksmiths and leather workers.
Merchants, who sold their crafts were also part of this new middle class.
Village market days usually occurred once a week, where people could buy or sell farm product or crafts made by the skilled workers/artisans.
Bartering (the exchanging of goods) was very common.

10. Remember…
If everyone follows the rules, others at the Renaissance Festival will see what we see everyday--what an awesome group of 6th graders Altadena has!
Your chaperone is in charge. Listen to everything he/she says to you, and always be polite and respectful. Do not ask them for money.
You are representing yourself, your family, your pod and your school. Be on your best behavior and follow the directions and decisions of your chaperone.
Your entire group must be back ON the bus at 1:45.