The Ye Merrie Greenwood Renaissance Faire (GW), is the longest running Renaissance Fair located in the State of Washington; it opened in 1985 and has run yearly since that time skipping one year in.
It is a non-profit organization's re-enactment of a 1585 market faire in the fictional town of Greenwood located in Elizabethan England. The fair is run on the final Saturday in June and the following Sunday.
GW's actors portray the dress found in the Elizabethan Era, or more precisely during the life of Elizabeth I, 1558-1603. All actors' costumes go through an approval process ensuring authenticity. Generally there are three types: Peasant Class, Middle Class, and Nobility. There are also other cultures represented such as the Scots, Italians, Germans, Spaniards and various Arab cultures, as well as various other performance groups such as Scots, Belly-Dancers, Storytelling, Puppetry, and Swashbucklers. Visitors are encouraged to dress up as well but Elizabethan "garb" is optional.