Aug 16, 2002 By Jennifer Harr 5 min read

We’ve all seen it – someone talking away on a cell phone while going about the movements of everyday life. But think, just for a minute, about how someone from, say, the 16th century would react to something we 21st century folks find so commonplace.

A trip back to that time at the Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival answers that question.

“What form of wizardry are you using? Or are you just a crazy man having a conversation with yourself?” the town sheriff of Morelandshire asked.

It was a comical question posed to an unassuming media-type during a recent preview day of the ninth annual fair.

Held in West Newton, just off Route 31, the festival offers themed weekends, each with child- and adult-friendly activities and a largely comedic-driven glimpse back in time.

The festival offers food, goods and performances that are Renaissance driven. During the six-week run, more than 80 crafters pack the festival grounds, offering one-of-a-kind jewelry, pottery, woodwork, handmade soaps and other unique finds. Demonstrations of glassblowing and blacksmithing also are featured.

While not crafters per se, soothsayers, seers and massage artists also have booths on festival grounds.

Food finds include the ultimately Renaissance turkey drumsticks and hand-held foods like soup in a bread bowl, chicken on a stick and fish and chips.

Pretzels stuffed with sweet cream cheese and apple pie filling, along with chocolate-dipped cheesecake, are for the sweet tooth.

And children who visit Morelandshire have their own area. No matter the weekend theme, children have the opportunity to make an assortment of crafts, including rings, masks, puppets and coats of arms. Several daily shows, including a baby dragon hatching, are dedicated to children,.

In its ninth season, the Greater Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival offers six differently themed weekends, which kick off tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Each morning, before the gate into Morelandshire officially opens, visitors are greeted by the commoners as they await the arrival of Queen Rosalind and King Edward. The most gracious monarchs proceed, accompanied by others of the royal sort, including Rosalind’s daughter, Princess Radella.

A bold cast of characters – from royals to a rat catcher – interact with guests to the shire, making the journey authentic with period accents and words.

And when the festival closes at 6:30 p.m., the cast of characters leaves with song and merriment at the daily pub sing.

This weekend of the festival is built around the idea of romance. On Saturday and Sunday, couples can renew their wedding vows with the king and queen (played by real life husband and wife Daniel and Erin Brown of Pittsburgh). During this weekend – like the others to follow – patron participation is key.

As they enter the gate, men are herded one way, women another, to pick a wooing stone. Each stone has a number, and the Renaissance characters encourage guests to talk to one another in hopes that they find their match.

Lady Ophelia offers lessons in courtly dancing this weekend, and daily shows offer tips for both men and women on how to woo the opposite sex Renaissance style.

A Celtic weekend will be held Aug. 24-25, highlighting the culture of the highlands with bagpiping contests, Irish step dancing and a Welsh poetry contest. A highlands game demonstration also is featured that weekend.

Children can join in by playing their own version of highland games with a chance to win prizes.

Leonardo DaVinci and Galileo will be on hand Aug. 31 and Sept. 1-2 to take part in an “Olde World Celebration” at Morelandshire.

The cross-cultural celebration also offers special musical guest the Balkan Babes, a women’s vocal ensemble singing songs from the Baltic Nations. Native American dancers add to the discoveries from other cultures during the festival’s only three-day weekend.

A popular weekend, Peasant Games, runs Sept. 7-8 and offers patrons a chance to take part in their own wacky Olympics. Games like the Wench Press (lifting the less-than-ladylike of the shire), Sot Put (think a bean bag man) and Tote-a-Bloke (how big a man can you lift?).

For the ladies visiting Morelandshire, a Sheep Toss offers a test of strength.

Veteran and would-be writers alike have a chance to encounter The Bard himself from Sept. 14-15. Shakespeare makes his way to the shire in search of a thespian worthy of his works, opening auditions to any with enough guts to read his works. He will also sit in judgment of a sonnet contest.

For those light of foot, instructions on English country dancing will be offered.

The Renaissance Festival wraps up Sept. 21-22 with the Harvest Home Grand Finale. Guests are invited to come in costume any weekend, but during the final weekend, prizes will be awarded. The highlight of the weekend is a grand masked ball given by King Edward and Queen Rosalind.

Tickets for any of the weekends are $11.95 for adults and $5.95 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 are free. Select Eckerd drug stores offer discounts on tickets.

For additional information, including directions to the West Newton site, call festival headquarters at 724-872-1670 or visit the Renaissance Festival online at www.pgh-renfest.com.