Festivals seem to be the place where the ignored, hushed, and often ostracized people of counter cultures can spread their wings and be themselves. In the "real" world, they're covered with suitable clothing or thought to only work in head shops. But once they've pointed their cars towards Dixie Highway, the kilts, fairy wings, swords, corsets, wands and dragon jewelry become visible. Through the gates it's perfectly acceptable to say, "Good day my lady" and banter with passersby about dragons that don't enjoy being dipped in chocolate. Perhaps more people need to banter and interact in this jovial way in public.
Of course the cell phones clipped to petticoats and sword sheaths are a bit of a clue that you haven't been hit over the head and woken up several centuries in the past. Still, it is nice to have a land where these personalities can come out. Where pretending to be a fairy or a wood nymph is perfectly acceptable, as is wearing leather wrist guards and expecting to pay a price to the troll in order to cross the bridge. Sure there are people who wonder what the man who swallows fire does during his day job, or see huge butterfly wings tattooed on a woman's back and think that it's excessive. But the ticket takers don't seem to mind, nor do the hundreds of artists who make and sell their renaissance world, or the hundreds who make yearly pilgrimages to this seasonal fantasy land.
More people could use a good dose of imagination.
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