Brevard Renaissance Fair (Melbourne)

Wickham Park, right in the middle of Melbourne, is a great park with a lot of different events happening all the time.  http://www.brevardcounty.us/ParksRecreation/South/Wickham/Home

One of the neatest things they have there is the Brevard Renaissance (am I the only one who has trouble spelling that word?) Fair. 

For the adults there were shows including comedy, music and dancing.  A little raunchy fun with the Washing Well Women and the Splatter show should not be missed.  The gypsy area was made up of local performers who put on a great musical show. 

For the children there was a pirate ship play ground, a fairy area, and a little tykes theater.  A mermaid tank, a unicorn to pet and brush, and pony rides all made sure the kids had plenty to do. Face painting and hair braiding were also popular.

There was a joust and many games for the gentlemen to show their strength and manliness (lol).  And of course lots of food and drink.  Shops to wander and bridges to cross (beware the troll). 

The best part of the event is people watching.  Many of the attendees dress up as elves and fairies, witches and wenches, knights and pirates...the costumes are terrific and so are the bosoms. 

Tips:  Buy your ticket online in advance to avoid lines.

Bring lots of singles for tips, somebody has to feed that unicorn.

Take a look at the show schedule before you go.  Some of the best shows only happen a couple times a day.

Website:  http://brevardrenaissancefair.com/

Old Florida Grill (Port St. John)

This isn't the post I had planned for today, but I was out and about and went someplace new.  I liked it, so I must share it with you. 

Some friends and I were out for a midwinter walk up Indian River Road, just north of the Beachline and between US1 and the river.  Beautiful place to take a walk.  This morning happened to be slightly foggy and a the water was still and reflective.  Our walk this morning had a purpose though.  We are walking to support the Hash House Harriers effort to raise money for the Make A Wish foundation. 

The game for the fund raiser is to carry a plunger with a rabbit on the end of it all across America raising money along the way.  The rabbit can only be carried by non-motorized methods:  walk, run, bike, paddle.  It has been making its way through Florida slowly and steadily and certainly not by the most direct route, but almost $11,000.00 has been raised so far!  You can find out more about that here:  http://www.hashacrossamerica.com/#/

At the end of our walk we met up with some people who were going to take the HashIt (the plunger) further up the road towards Dayona by bicycle.  We met at an Old Florida, authentic bar/restaurant called Old Florida Grill. 

This place is authentic Florida all the way.  The bar consists of an inside bar and two outside bars with docks leading down to the river.  The is the mandatory biker only parking near the back bar and plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the outside and the refreshments any way you choose. I chose to enjoy a $2.50 margarita and a stroll down to the river. 

After that I enjoyed a very good Ahi Tuna seared with Sesame cooked perfectly (seared only) for only $11.  My husband had the steamed clams and a burger, both perfectly satisfactory.  Other friends had shrimp po'boys.  All enjoyed, but would recommend the blackened over the grilled.  No complaints.  I was surprised how busy such an out of the way place was, but busy they were, so there was some delay in getting food.  But seriously, who cares with views like these? 












Tips:  Here is their website http://www.oldfloridagrill.com/

Be sure to walk out on the docks.  They are safe and sturdy. 

It looks like a biker bar (and it is), but on a sunny afternoon there were plenty of families there. 

Live Music.