First, let me set the record straight:

No, I have never been to Dickens Fair before. Anyone who claimed to have seen me during previous years has me mistaken for another Asian guy who also likes dancing and guns.

Having straightened that, I must say that I cannot believe that I did not hear of Dickens Fair earlier. It just so happens that I can meet my fellow ballroom social dancers, the role players of Renaissance Faire, costume & accessory vendors, and the occasional cosplayer in this one Fair.

The first visit took place December 5th. Little Sister #2 and I planned a large outing, but in the end only I actually made it at to the rendezvous. Life kind of throws a wrench that way, but you have to roll with it. Karen and BART Boy showing up was an unexpected surprise as we blindly took in the Fair for the first time. The encore trip on the 20th was slightly more impromptu after confirming Craig would attend. Meeting up with Sharon and giving her my spare ticket, we were a more veteran party and knew what we were doing. April and Paul were nice people who seemed into the Fair. That day Craig and I left with new friends Devi and Kristen for a post Fair dinner at a slightly more modern restaurant.

Dickens Fair feels like a Renaissance Faire, but it is set indoors at the Cow Palace and the attendees shower. Set primarily in A Christmas Carol, Dickens Fair recreates the Victorian era and most of the written work created during that period. The workers are in character, the decorations and navigation resemble 1800s London, and there is always something to see while vacationing from the real world. The sawdust lining the floor helped cushion the soles of walking attendees, but it kicked up a lot of dust that screwed up photo opportunities. Whichever did make it are found here:

Dickens Fair Gallery

There simply is too much going on at Dickens Fair. Live stage shows, period eating with pubs, afternoon tea, dancing, games, parades, shops, and various role players interacting with attendees littered the entire Fair. The human body cannot be two places at the same time so I had no way to see everything. Nevertheless, I enjoyed what I could get my eyes and hands on.

My primary objective of Dickens Fair was procuring a tailed coat for several planned costumes and to cancel out a rather unsatisfactory tailed coat I received. Sadly, my small frame did not fit into the 44R-46R demographic who usually attend these Fairs. Grant was excellent at helping me determine my size and asking the shop clerks to try harder to find it. On the 5th, I wound up purchasing a flintlock pistol after failing to find a tailed coat. On the 20th, I stormed the clothing shop to find a solitary 38R tailed coat that fit me fine so I bought it without hesitation. I wanted to get a top hat, but I would have to sell my brain to science to afford one of those.

I have to hand it to the role players there for being able to stick to their assigned character. Each time I attempted my accent, I usually slipped up and the role players addressed me as an unrefined American. Perhaps if I actually develop a character for myself, I will have more to work with. So far I have myself as a rogue who thieved his way into a gentleman status, but often slips back to his violent rogue behavior as he fires his flintlock pistol.

With Sharon and her cadre, we enjoyed a delightful afternoon tea of scones, sandwiches, desserts, and tea. Our magician waiter managed to fool and ridicule me with his tricks. I think magicians are the only people we allow to ridicule us publicly. I enjoy my commemorative teapot even though it does not compare to my cast iron one.

Live bands and stage shows dotted various corners. One of the street performing bands had less dense space for Sharon and I to polka away. I loved the contact jugglers and people playing their innovative instruments. Occasionally a parade would pass by, leaving me to wonder what they were. Mad Sal had plenty of salty performances. One show of particular note that I encountered during Fair was the French Postcards show where models would reenact the artistic nudes of the titular French postcards.

Despite only having one minor scene during A Christmas Carol, Fezziwig's was one of the popular attractions of Dickens Fair. It was a dance party full of waltzes, polkas, set dances, and various dance demonstrations during intermissions. The role players there would easily encourage you to dance regardless of skill level. I got to get some good Congress of Vienna waltzes in, even though the rigid choreography is still a bleeding chore for my loose style. Dancing waltzes there on the last day of Fair was not so fun due to the larger than expected crowds. One particularly good polka I danced was interrupted by a visit by none other than Queen Victoria and her court. The royal Queen and King were simply show stopping as everyone paid respects to them. Meanwhile, I was thinking of a certain Sex Pistols song.

Parlor games during the Fezziwig party really broke the ice as if the dancing was not enough. Wink was especially "scandalous" given the number of cheek kisses one had to give and receive while playing. Thankfully I am already accustomed to such interactions and am game. My main problem was the winking itself since my Asian eyes are half-closed all the time.

Dickens Fair was definitely a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the modern day Christmas shopping. Though the bittersweet return to reality came as I left the parking lot on the last day of Fair while wishing a lady attendee a Happy Christmas. Possibly drunk, possibly kidding, or possibly serious, a rather gruff gentleman retorted:

"Enough with the fuckin' 'Happy Christmas!' Dickens Fair is over! Go back to saying 'Happy Holidays' or 'Merry whatever the hell you celebrate.'"