When I lived in LA there was a place I use to go every weekend to people watch and that was Venice Beach now that I'm far far away once a year I take my people watching skills to the Renaissance Festival. This truly is a great festival I have been coming for five years and I always have a blast. For some adult fun this year - the day I went they had a $7 beer tasting right behind the jousting event and it was awesome.
This is a great place to take the kids for Halloween weekend they let the kids trick or treat and you don't have to worry about explaining to them why everyone is dressed up :)
For food you have your popular choices bread bowls, turkey legs, brats but to be honest the food is really not that good so I suggest grabbing a glass of mead, a pumpkin beer, a frozen margarita or a mimosa even the lattes are decent! One of my favorite shows to see is the Tortuga Twins catch the late show if you are of age!
If you haven't checked this place out and you live in or near the Queen City this should be on your top ten list of things to try this year!