Cartoonist Jack Bonestell as "Tumbleweed Jack" works on cartoon for kids at the 1983 first anniversary party of the Thousand Oaks Library. Photo by Scott Harrison / The News Chronicle

New on my flickr page are ten images from 1982-83 of Donna Fargo, civic leader and former stuntwoman. Needless to say, when I arrived in Thousand Oaks in 1982, she welcomed and introduced me to the city. Well, I am still here.

Short bio on Donna Fargo: Stagecoach Inn Web Site

Flickr photos: Donna Fargo Set

Bonnie Morgan in character as "Sassafrass Thistlebottom.”

Yes, this little story is true. Just yesterday I posted images from the 1982 Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Then last night I stumbled across the Friends of Paramount Ranch web site. Today was a reunion for former members of the Renaissance Faire that was held from the mid-1960s to 1988 at the ranch.

So I dropped by and was welcomed today just as much as twenty-five years ago. The only difference - the stages, crowds, musicians , etc., were only a memory.

I did have one moment of déjà vu. While walking up one trail, I suddenly remembered the gate, flags, and hay bales that lined the very same trail. Later it was confirmed that the trail was the participants and press entrance.

About 50 attended today’s 12th reunion. Several wore their Renaissance Faire outfits. After enjoying picnic lunches, everyone marched up “Procession Hill” to have a memorial service to remember Renaissance Faire friends who have passed away. Several hundred names were read and many humorous memories shared.

In 1988, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire were forced to move to make way for a proposed development to be built at Paramount Ranch. Instead of spending the night researching and writing a history of Paramount Ranch, let’s just say that the development fell through and the land ended up with the National Park service.

But the Faire moved on to a long multi-year run at Glen Helen Regional Park in Devore. Currently the Faire is held at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale.

In addition to remembering old friends, today’s reunion was also a celebration that the former Renaissance Faire site is now preserved as open space for old farts - like me - to take a hike on a Sunday afternoon.


Old friends are remembered during memorial at former site of the Renaissance Pleasure Faire.

I added over thirty reunion photos to my Renaissance Pleasure Faire flickr set.