Charger News

Renaissance fair coming to CHS

Alison Palmer, Editor-in-Chief

The Renaissance signifies the beginning of European culture, characterized by historical figures such as Columbus, who discovered the New World and Galileo, who was one of the first to believe that the sun was the center of the universe. It was the time in which Shakespeare wrote the cliché “I think, therefore I am,” and Leonardo DaVinci painted the mysterious Mona Lisa that became the most famous painting the world.

The Renaissance was a remarkable period in history, and it is coming to Cookeville High School on May 13. This spring, CHS will step back in time and host its very first Renaissance Fair.

The fair began as a project with all of the English classes, “then other people became interested, and it skyrocketed from there, “said English teacher Brenda Huffine.

On the day of the Renaissance Fair, students and faculty are allowed to dress in the typical Renaissance fashion and will be able to participate in games and eat authentic Renaissance food.

Classes and clubs will display various projects on the renaissance. For instance, cosmetology is currently researching information about the makeup, hairstyles, and body decorations of the Renaissance, and will showcase their work during the Fair.

The committee planning the Renaissance Fair include teachers Brenda Huffine, Jennifer Fields, Lisa Burgess, Alicia Page, Laura Carter, Bill Pardue, Robert Miller, Martha Dyer and Jan Whiting. “We’re receiving a grant [from the federal government] that will help us in the production of the Fair,” said Fields.

Teachers wanted to have a Renaissance fair because “that’s an area we don’t really cover in class because of time, and this gives us an opportunity to study it more in-depth,” said Huffine.

Aside from the Fair in May, other activiites are scheduled to celebrate the Renaissance. Oct. 27 is Faculty Renaissance Day, a day for the teachers to don on Renaissance outfits and let students see what kind of clothes were worn during this time period. A Renaissance poster contest for students is also scheduled for October, as well as a Renaissance dance in November.

Also this year, the library will host a Leonardo DaVinci day. One of the librarians will dress like DaVinci and students will be able to tour the library to learn more about DaVinci’s life and accomplishments.

The planning committee hopes that eventually the community will become involved the Renaissance Fair and that it will be a tradition for years to come.