The 48th Annual Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire, Where Fantasy Rules! returns to the Los Angeles County Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area on Saturday, April 10, 2010. The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire will take place every Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. from April 10, 2010 through May 23, 2010.

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire has always been one of our more popular events and something people from far and near come to attend, said Russ Guiney, Director of County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. I am pleased about the continued success this celebration has experienced at our very own Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area.

The Original Renaissance Pleasure Faire initially moved to the lush, shady Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area six years ago and garnered instant recognition with thousands of fans who warmly welcomed the Faire back to Los Angeles County. In 2008, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a five-year contract allowing the Original Renaissance Faire to call Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area home until 2012.

The Renaissance Pleasure Faire embodies the 16th Century Elizabethan period with its presentation of a true English port-town faire and marketplace throughout 20 acres of shaded pavilions and thoroughfares. The 360 degree spectacular recreation of the Port of Deptford England casts 2,000 brightly costumed characters to delight the audience and to celebrate with laughter, savory foods, hearty ales, juices, games of skill and chance, hand powered rides, demonstrations of lost arts, such as glassblowing, by skilled artisans. Seven Parades cross the Faire grounds daily and 12 stages entertain continuously throughout the day.

In addition to producing the Faire, the organizers of the event also host a School Day program, which opens the Faire to more than 10,000 children from the Los Angeles School District. The Faire format on School Day will be tailored just for kids in an interactive structure.

Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, which is located at 15501 East Arrow Highway in Irwindale, is a United States Army Corps of Engineers’ Facility and a part of the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation. For more information about Faire programming please call (626) 969-4750.