Latest news with #RenaissanceFair
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Have an Controversial Trick to Make Soft Drinks Taste Better. You Just Have to Be Brave Enough to Try It.
This is One Thing, a column with tips on how to live. Thanks to the pandemic being followed by three years spent living across the country from Slate's headquarters, having two kids in a row, and being reluctant to travel, I hadn't met any of my colleagues in person until this week. I do feel like I've become a little socially awkward since I last worked from an office. So before heading to New York for a team meeting, I made a point of avoiding faux pas by going over faces and names of people I might run into, and I just generally reminded myself not to say anything weird. Whoops. We hadn't even made it through lunch before I was proclaiming—and defending—my love for 'Cooked Sprite.' That's right, warm soda. Actually, closer to hot. Despite my careful preparations, I had indeed said something weird. Something I hadn't thought about for decades. Something that inspired at least four audible gasps. But now, back in the safety of my home, I want to make the case that I was right: There is nothing wrong with a tea-temperature lemon-lime soft drink—in fact, there is a lot to like about it. I remember the day I discovered this. I was maybe 11 years old, and during a fall heat wave in Marin County, California, someone—probably my dad, because this is the kind of field trip we did on the weekends I stayed with him—took my best friend Thea and me to the Renaissance Fair. After a day walking around the dusty grounds, riding a giant swing, and dressing up for old-timey photos, we made it back to the car exhausted and thirsty. And in the back seat (I don't know if it had been purchased as part of post-outing lunch or was just rolling around back there) was a six-pack of Sprite that had been, well, cooking all day. We each cracked one open, and that's when I realized something important was happening. It was so good! The soda was hot but somehow still refreshing. The sweetness was softened and the bubbles felt bigger and more luxurious—not like the sharp, sneeze-triggering ones you get when it's cold. We locked eyes and smiled mischievously. It felt rebellious (look, we were very sheltered kids) and wildly innovative. 'Cooked Sprite' was born. OK, so it turns out we didn't actually invent this, or at least were not the only ones to have done so. A Reddit thread from four years ago proclaims: 'Hot soda is delicious and great when you're cold.' But it's a shame that it had to be filed under 'unpopular opinions.' I think it's time for a cultural shift. After trying it once, Thea and I never looked back. Neither of our moms kept soda in the house, so it became a delicacy to enjoy (along with things like ice cream as coffee creamer and breakfast baked potatoes) only on weekends at my dad's. 'Should we make some Cooked Sprite?' was always said somewhat conspiratorially, in the tone people use when they want to open a bottle of wine at a time or in a place where alcohol isn't socially acceptable. He had this set of heavy, textured, foggy drinking glasses, and we'd fill them up, microwave them for 30 seconds, and make a toast. Now that you know the origin story and the basic techniques, I want you to try Cooked Sprite. Maybe not outside in the middle of summer. Wait until you're in an overly air-conditioned house (or office!), or bookmark this to revisit in the fall or winter. It's especially soothing if you're feeling sick. We all know that Sprite is already the official soft drink of illness. Why not make it more like tea? If you're biased against warm carbonation, interrogate whether that belief is fair, or if it's keeping you from experiencing something special. I'd told Thea before the business trip about how I was trying to take steps to avoid social slip-ups with my colleagues. At the end of the day, she checked in to ask how everything went, and I had to report, 'For some reason, I told them about Cooked Sprite.' Like a real friend—and a person with good taste in beverages—she affirmed me. 'It was really delicious,' she said. 'Kinda burny in three ways simultaneously. Anyone can like cold soda. Only a really sophisticated palate can appreciate Cooked Sprite.'
Buzz Feed
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Renaissance Fair Costume Maker: Design Your Ren Fair Outfit
Every spring, I have one goal — nay, 'tis not the purging of winter's clutter that occupies my thoughts! My one and only quest during those beautiful blossoming months is to craft the perfect Renaissance Fair outfit and drink mead until my wings fall off. I went recently and was so inspired by all the everything there is so EXPENSIVE. ($60 for a set of horns? 😱) The good news, though, is that now you can create endless Ren Fair outfits for free with this new generator! Whether you've dreamed of being a fair princess, a valorous knight, or something more magical, the possibilities know no bounds. So make haste, friends, and regale me with your fairest creations! All trademarks, logos, brand names, names, likeness, characters, and other personal indicia (collectively, "attributes") are the property of their respective owners. Use of these attributes does not imply endorsement, affiliation, or sponsorship from the respective owners.
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Yellow oak kitchen looks like it should be part of a dated home but its surroundings are INSANE
At first glance, the yellow oak kitchen might make you think you've stepped into a slightly outdated suburban home. But just beyond the cabinetry lies a 4,616-square-foot fantasyland that once hosted Renaissance fairs - complete with a throne room, dungeon, vampire crypt and catwalks. Welcome to Birdsell Castle, a one-of-a-kind estate in Charlestown, Indiana, now listed for $1,295,000. Set on 7.91 acres, this medieval-inspired property blends live-action roleplay flair with event-hosting grandeur - and it's looking for a new royal steward. 'The owner of Birdsell Castle, who has hosted Renaissance Fairs and many other gatherings, is ready to hand over his crown to a new owner who has a new dream for this wonderful property,' the listing reads. Originally built in 1994, the estate was designed to immerse guests in a fantasy experience. The main living quarters include two bedrooms and two bathrooms, each housed in separate towers. A non-conforming 'King's Room' with an adjacent space could easily be converted into a private suite with its own bath and walk-in closet. Step inside and you're immediately greeted by the Throne Room and lounge, setting the tone for the rest of the castle. Beyond it lies a formal dining room and Great Dining Hall, as well as a laundry area and that infamous yellow oak kitchen. Upstairs in the Nobles Hall, the fantasy continues with four 'Noble Rooms,' each wired or equipped with mini-splits and bathrooms. The upper floor also includes a library, a ballroom and an apothecary. An aerial view of the property shows the sprawling compound from above on a day when it hosted a Renaissance fair - there's plenty of space for visitors to park But it's a hidden passage that steals the show - leading to a fully themed Dungeon with its own prison cell and a Pirates Deck. And, of course, what's a castle without a Vampire Crypt? Venture past the deck and down the stairs to find out if anything's lurking in the dark. Birdsell Castle's exterior is a masterclass in immersive, medieval-inspired design, offering a rare opportunity to own a fully realized fantasy estate. The property is encircled by a formidable crenellated stone wall, evoking the grandeur of a true fortress. A defining feature is the working drawbridge that spans a moat - complete with defense towers - providing both security and theatrical flair. Outside, the property features a mermaid pond, beer garden, two entertainment stages and horse stables. Four garage bays - each fitting two to three cars - have been converted into a Blacksmith Shop, Weapons Shop, Seamstress Shop, and Adornment Shop. Overlooking it all is a full catwalk circling the courtyard for keeping a watchful eye, or making a dramatic entrance. With nearly 30,000 square feet of usable space, including all structures, the property offers ample opportunity for events, rentals, LARPing, or simply living out your fantasy in peace. Birdsell Castle is now on the market for the first time in years, giving a brave new buyer the chance to take the reins and make history.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Renaissance Faire starts Saturday at Sleepy Hollow
DES MOINES, Iowa — Get ready to celebrate nature, magic, and a medieval bygone era this weekend at Sleepy Hollow's Spring Fling Renaissance Faire kicks off Saturday. It's the largest permanent Renaissance faire site in the state. Beloved urban garden prepares for more crops, crowds in 2025 Fairgoers can enjoy some tasty food and drinks, take home some crafted goods, and watch several live music performances, fire stunts, and even some combat. Logan Jiminez, the host of the Cockatoo Encounter, says it's sure to be fun, no matter how you dress up. 'My favorite thing about Renaissance Fair is that you can come out in full costume or in your jeans and a t-shirt and you're gonna have a great time. Nobody judges you for anything here. You can come out, be who you want to be, and there's something for everybody,' said Jiminez. The Ren Faire runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the next two weekends, May 10-11 and May 17-18. Tickets are $20 and they are good for both days. Kids under 12 get in free. Parking at the venue, 4051 Dean Avenue, will cost $5. You can learn more about the event and view the full schedule here. Renaissance Faire starts Saturday at Sleepy Hollow Ankeny mother-daughter teaching duo seeks to set new standard of inclusion Des Moines Bishop comments on new pope Beloved urban garden prepares for more crops, crowds in 2025 West Des Moines planning a bridge to the future Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
