Everyone has a way to escape the reality of a stressful and busy life. Some people immerse themselves in novels, following the hero’s fantastic adventures. Others become avid movie buffs, daydreaming about being the charming British playboy who wins the heart of the shockingly beautiful girl-next-door (though I’m sure they imagine themselves with better teeth), or as the muscle-bound hunk of a hero who saves the city single-handedly before winning the girl. For some, though, being a passive observer in the lives of the fictional characters they so want to be simply isn’t enough. Instead, they choose to actually live out the lives – or perceived lives – of fantasy characters. These people are wizards or knights, princesses or gypsies, royalty of a medieval court or peasants and blacksmiths. Regardless of the alter-ego chosen, for many this is more than a hobby; this is an alternate life. What motivated these people to form such a complex and nearly-obsessive immersion into actually living out a fantasy life, rather than being content experiencing the lives of others through media outlets? What compels someone to dedicate their life to a pastime of being someone else?

Conversations with members, though, revealed that they’re not all the Dungeons and Dragons playing, fairy-obsessed social recluses one might imagine. Aged from mid-teens through AARP eligibility, members generally seemed to lean toward the nerdy side without coming across as complete freaks of nature.

Kristen Gilben, 28, who goes by the name Maol Mide ingen Medra within the SCA, is a self-described “bug grower”. It was obvious by the smirk on her face that she got a kick out of telling people that’s what she did for a living, and she seemed to take pleasure in the confused look on my face. “I’m the curator of the butterfly exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry,” she finally explained. Ah, of course; a bug grower. Gilben’s specialty within SCA is as a master of all things artistic, from painting to theater to calligraphy. It was theater that started Gilben in the SCA at the age of 15. While driving home from a performance with a friend, they came across a group of historically garbed SCA members at a gathering. They pulled the car over, grabbed costumes out of the trunk, and joined in the fun. She’s been a devoted member ever since. What holds her interest in the SCA is the “complexity and challenge” of recreating the art of the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods. “If you study and recreate those,” she explains, “modern art is just so simple.”

For Henry and Marjorie Kuczwara, the SCA is all about family. Henry, a pipe smoking lineman for a local phone company, was introduced to the group by his ex-wife 27 years ago, and now performs the duty of a blacksmith for the kingdom. It was family that introduced him to the SCA, and it was through the same group that his new family was formed after his first marriage dissolved. Marjorie Kuczwara, a retired history teacher, found the SCA in 1983 while on a field trip with her class.  The couple was married within a few years. Henry isn’t the only family Marjorie found through the SCA, though he’s the only she’s legally bound to. It was a fascination with history that drew Marjorie, to the group, but the best part for her is the people.  “We’re a family,” she explains, a grin causing the crow’s feet around her blue eyes to crinkle into the gray hairline.

One prominent topic of conversation at the SCA meeting was the Renaissance fair currently in town. Apparently although some of the garb worn by SCA members at their get-togethers is hand made, much of it is purchased at such fairs. The annual fair also serves as a gathering place for like-minded fantasy aficionados from around the state. This was definitely worth checking out in person.

The Renaissance Merchants

The final day of the Renaissance festival started out perfect. Unfortunately, it didn’t stay that way for long. Around mid-day, the skies opened up and a downpour soaked the outdoor festival grounds. This didn’t dissuade many of the attendants, though. Among the yuppie parents scurrying to covered areas with their broods, while attempting to put on already wet ponchos, were the true die-hards. Men stomped about in regal attire, complaining to anyone who would listen about the misfortunes God had brought about on them that day. Peasants in burlap clothes proclaimed the wonderful gifts of rain for the crops. The horses didn’t even seem to mind; the joust went on.