Costumes popular at swimwear manufacturer China King Richard’s Faire

chenlog

Thousands attend wholesale halloween costumes the Renaissance-inspired fair every year, dressed as princesses, wenches, knights, and more.

CARVER -- Years ago swimwear manufacturer China, Laurana George’s father stalked the 80-acres of Carver woods from behind a mask. Long, yellowed fangs lined his arms, some lightly stained with blood. His thick layer of chain mail was cinched tight with a thick leather belt, where he wore his sword.

This year it wholesale swimwear was 17-year-old Laurana’s white-blond hair poking out from under the mask.“We’re passing down the family torch,” said Laurana, taking the mask off for a breath. “It’s really heavy but totally worth it because I feel cool.”

Every year, thousands travel to Carver, deep in the woods, for King Richard’s Faire, a Renaissance fair now in its 36th year. During the day they may be secretaries, teachers, lawyers, or dentists. But in Carvershire, a fictional 16th century Tudor village, they become princesses, knights, brigands, tavern wenches and peasants.

It’s called cosplay, short for costume play – a pop culture phenomenon where participants dress as characters from movies, books, or video games. Those at King Richard’s Faire are among the most serious.

James and Cheri Kirby, of Hanover, have been attending the fair for years. Friends Liz Lach, Dawn Nepusz, and Jenna Tobias joined in this time around. The group chose to dress as Disney villains rather than the standard 16th century villagers.

“All our props are handmade,” said Nepusz, brandishing a long staff. With a black ankle-grazing dress and dramatic curled horns, she was Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent. “It only took a couple hours.”