From Peasant to Royalty

Joanne Haffly recently talked with Andrea and Melissa, sisters on cast at the Washington State Renaissance Fantasy Faire in Belfair, Washington.

…What began eight years ago as a family trip to the Washington State Renaissance Fantasy Faire has developed into a yearlong passion for Andrea and Melissa.

Three years ago, Andrea, 20, joined as a volunteer actor in the Peasant guild. When Melissa joined as an actor a year later, the two of them focused their energies on developing their characters and increasing their wardrobes.

By the end of the last Renaissance Faire season, the girls had thrown themselves so completely into the project, they had been asked to work as nobility.

Since February, the girls have sewn five complete noble gown costumes. After they sewed the first two gowns, friends commissioned them to sew several more nobility gowns in time for the Daffodil Parade in early April…

Sounds like the girls are well on the way to being ready for the gates of the shire to swing open on August 2, 2008. Good luck to them and all those involved with the Washington State Renaissance Fantasy Faire.