As dependable as falling leaves and the bright red cranberry bogs in its Carver, Massachusetts neck of the woods, King Richard's Faire is a sure sign of fall in southeastern New England. Carver may be "far" by our local standards, but for many in the East Bay, autumn can't get away without an afternoon well-spent, watching jousting and gnawing on a giant turkey leg.

It's New England's largest and longest-running Renaissance fair, and it opened its doors for the 37th season in Carver, Mass. on Saturday, September 1. Spread over 80 acres of woods, King Richard's Faire runs for eight weekends (and Monday holidays) from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. When the Faire opens each year, a little village erupts, populated by jousters, magicians, jugglers, fire-eaters, master whip artist and knife throwers, tiger handlers, artists and crafters, and experiential performers of all kinds — including a dancing pig named Snorkle.

For one local man, the Faire is much more than a fun diversion — it, and others like it, are his livelihood. And the other crafters, performers, and vendors who make up the hundreds of people who come together to pull off this massive event every year, are like an extended family.

John Wells of Seekonk is a longtime artisan at King Richard’s — he actually owns four shops: Mystic Rhythms, The Horn Shoppe, Drum Jam, and Fairy Haven. He first attended the Faire with his family in 1982; in 1994 he set up shop.

Mr. Wells sells a wide variety of items through his various businesses, though he is happiest when he is creating things, working with his hands in his barn on his Seekonk property. He makes and sells a variety of musical instruments, including appropriate period instruments, though he also makes flutes, didgeridoos, and other non-Renaissance items. He also makes and sells jewelry and sun catchers made with Swarovski crystals, and sells (but does not make) a variety of costume items popular at the Faire, including fairy wings, clip-on elf ears, and horns. Of all kinds.

"Believe it or not, the horn business makes a lot of money," he said.

He doesn't spend his entire year preparing for this one fair — there are actually Renaissance Faires all over the country, in every month of the year. They are especially popular in Florida (they have 5 big ones on their annual calendar), which is where Mr. Wells decamps with his wife and young daughter for 4 or 5 months a year. Other fairs are manned by staff, freeing Mr. Wells up to stay at home, and work in his barn.

Though he is modest about his role as a performer, every evening around closing time Mr. Wells sets up a big drum jam, described as "epic" by one of his colleagues. They play for about 20 minutes, right by the main gate, and for many visitors, it's one of their last and most enduring impressions of the Faire.

Even though he's been doing this for nearly a quarter century, Mr. Wells doesn't see himself shaking things up anytime soon. After all, he's spent that time building this business, and if anything he'd like to expand, and branch out, while staying put.
"The people here are like a family; it's a very strong community," he said. "It's a magical, wonderful, place."

For more information on special events, schedules, and everything you need to know about attending the Faire, visit Kingrichardsfaire.net.