Another year, another turkey leg at the annual Renaissance festival.  These types of festivals have always been dear to me- it’s served as a great source of entertainment and escape.  For those of you that don’t already know, Renaissance festivals are a unique gateway to another realm- a portal that transports its participants to a time period complete with medieval costumes, games, merchandise and food (lots of food).  Customers are encouraged to be themselves and dress up according to the time period-it’s a day to shed whatever rules and regulations the outside world requires and to eat, drink and be merry in a safe atmosphere void of judgment.  I know this world well, this is my thirteenth year attending.  The lively atmosphere is a bit over stimulating in the beginning-one must grow accustomed to being yelled at by a nearby vendor selling peanuts, men and women walking on stilts and the thousands of smells of food in the air.  It’s interesting to see how eagerly people will remove their outer skin and wiggle into new identities just to feel like an individual.  When I think of all of the men and women who will trade their busty corsets, leather vests and boots for heels, suits and ties on Monday it really puts things into perspective.  It seems that the only acceptable way to have these truly unique moments of individuality and to present our bodies in a non-conventional way is to do it underneath another identity (to play dress up).  Of course participants play a role because it fits the genre, but people really do come alive and express themselves openly in these venues as if they had been waiting for months to do so.  This same behavior is seen in Anime Conventions, where some people spend months building a costume just for the chance to interact and become someone else (but at the same time, be themselves) in a small event hidden away from the world.  People who are usually shy become outgoing and self-consciousness about body weight or appearance disappear.  When I look at society and these festivals and conventions I only really pull one similarity.  Both of these things encourage us to dress up to fit the criteria of whatever is considered to be the “norm” in each setting but only one of these settings encourages us to participate or not participate with no negative aspect tied into it.  For example, festivals encourage people to dress up but by all means everyone will have fun regardless.  In society if one does not dress and act in the ways that are encouraged…(well you already know what usually happens).  It’s really a lot to think about when you’re trying to scarf down a pint of beer and a giant turkey leg in one sitting.