July 2025 – Larkspur, CO
Blue Cat doesn’t need an excuse to don a metaphorical cloak and wander among knights, jesters, and turkey legs the size of small tree branches. But this time, he had one: it was his scribe’s birthday. What better way to celebrate than the Colorado Renaissance Festival — a place where history, fantasy, and modern sunscreen coexist.
Plotting the Day
The festival map was the first stop. Blue Cat studied it like a general preparing for battle, paws tracing the routes to food, shows, and “possible dragon encounters.”
First a Show – Blades and Bravery
Blue Cat decided on a show first – Blades and Bravery. Sarah Bonnie and her partner (whose name Blue Cat to this day can’t remember – so we’ll call him Bob) swallowed swords, ate fire, threw knives, and somehow kept the crowd laughing through it all. There was even some crowd participation – and no injuries that we could see.
Bob started with swallowing small swords (actually putting them down his throat and keeping them in place with some amazing muscle control) and ended by balancing a 7-foot sword on top of one in his throat. Sarah worked mostly with fire – setting her hands and mouth on fire and making a hot day seem even hotter. And they both threw knives – at each other and in the end at Sarah who was spinning on a giant wheel.
Quite a team – trained in the dangerous arts, blending street theatre energy with a knack for making even a seven-foot blade seem… charming. They’ve traveled across the U.S. with their sharp wit (and sharper props), and somehow managed not to use Blue Cat as target practice.
A few souvenirs – you can tell who Blue Cat liked the most even though fire is not a crocheted cat’s best friend…
And continuing with another show
Next was Nature’s Educators, a 501c3 non profit wildlife program. They travel the state of Colorado and surrounding states giving educational presentations on wildlife and wild places, and on this day several local birds of prey took the stage (well, perch).
First there was a Burrowing Owl, a cute pocket-sized predator with a stare that says “I know where you live.” (This one’s name is Spud). Did you know that owl eyes are so big (and mostly inside their skull) that the eyes don’t move? That’s why owls are always turning their heads – and why they have pretty small brains (they said this owl’s hunting skills are mostly pre-wired – no thinking needed). It’s also important to know that Burrowing Owls are part of the prairie dog ecosystem, so if you get rid of those nasty prairie dogs you also get rid of these beautiful owls.
Blue Cat’s favorite, though, was the Turkey Buzzard – big, bald, and misunderstood. That scary pose that vultures use isn’t to frighten things away – it’s to allow their wings to heat up to over 150 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius) to kill any bacteria or parasites. (That’s also why they have bald heads – try cleaning roadkill guts out of your head feathers some time.) Blue Cat was charmed, so much so that he skipped the festival’s famous turkey legs out of respect for his new friend.
Lunch at the International Food Court
The smells at the Renaissance Festival are legendary — roasting meats, fresh bread, cinnamon sugar drifting through the air. Blue Cat navigated past the turkey legs (see above) and headed for the International Food Court. There he had Yakitori Chicken (tender, smoky, perfectly skewered) and the Smothered Burrito — large enough to make a knight loosen his armor. And later in the day, there was ice cream for everyone — not historically accurate, but absolutely necessary in the heat.
Shops, Trinkets, and … Dragons
Between shows, the festival’s marketplace offered everything from chainmail to candles. One member of the group got a full wooden sword set that was perfectly balanced, and Blue Cat’s scribe’s wife (he just calls her “Mom”) got a souvenir mug. That’s where Blue Cat met his newest companion: a tiny wooden dragon, carved to cling to the rim of a mug. Small, yes — but clearly up to something.
Closing the Gates
The day ended with happy memories, a few souvenirs, and the satisfaction of surviving the July sun. The scribe had a birthday to remember. Blue Cat left full, slightly sun-baked, and already wondering what adventures awaited next.
Have you been to a renaissance festival this summer? Let Blue Cat know about your expeditions in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single adventure!
(c) William P Doyle, Jr. 2025
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