How Did Renaissance Fairs Begin?

2 days ago

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Renaissance fairs today are defined by turkey legs, armored jousts, and costumed revelry, but their origins are rooted in the 1960s counterculture.
The first modern Renaissance fair was held in 1963 in Los Angeles by Phyllis and Ron Patterson as a fundraiser for KPFK/Pacifica Radio.
The event featured 60 booths, period costumes, performances, and handmade crafts, attracting over 3,000 attendees daily.
The fair became a countercultural hub, blending history and fantasy, and challenging suburban ideals and Cold War conservatism.
By the 1970s, Renaissance fairs had spread across the U.S., with notable early fairs in Minnesota and Texas.
Corporate acquisitions in the 1990s shifted many fairs from grassroots events to commercial ventures.
Today, over 200 Renaissance fairs are held annually in the U.S., continuing to attract alternative communities.

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