Renaissance Fairs

A land far away sits just over Wisconsin border / nwi.com

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A land far away sits just over Wisconsin border / nwi.com.

ou don't have to drive far to go to another world --- one of revered royalty, jousting knights, comical jesters, boisterous revelry and old English pageantry. For such entertainment can be found on the grounds of the Bristol Renaissance Faire, a venue that offers a taste of 16th century England through performances, actors, shops, gaming and food. It's the kind of place where Shrek would feel right at home. Just over the Illinois/Wisconsin border lies this wonderland for fans of the romantic era when knights slayed dragons and chivalry was alive and well. Open on weekends only starting July 11, the final day of the season is Labor Day, the only day it's open on a weekday. The huge task of putting on such a production is a year-round operation that requires over 1,000 actors and musicians, according to Linda McFeters, general manager and producer of the Bristol Renaissance Faire, which is one of about 15 permanent villages around the country that comes to life each season. Bristol's location is the third largest in the country. McFeters said every season you'll find a new variety of acts and musical groups, so summer travelers shouldn't hesitate to repeat the trip. "Some acts are consistent, some are different," she said, adding the Swordsman is a returning favorite. Each weekend, the fair hosts a special event, one being a tea with the queen, where tickets can be purchased for a formal afternoon of tea, crumpets and scones. Another weekend a wine tasting event takes place. One weekend costumed guests can compete for a cash prize and free fair tickets. For fans of fantasy, role-playing, Dungeons and Dragons type scenarios, the fair offers RenQuest, which debuted last year. Aimed at ages 11 and older, the game is a full day of participation taking you throughout the fair grounds. "It's a trilogy about a dragon who landed in the trees in Bristol. Many gamers come to play and interact," said McFeters. "It takes them all over the fair site and they can win big prizes and at the end they fight the dragon. This year the dragon has left behind an egg and so the game and the quest revolve around the egg and the four elements -- earth, wind, fire and water." McFeters said the game became "incredibly popular" during the first season. "We already have a big fan base for RenQuest. It has its own Web page and Facebook." With 20 separate performance areas and 36 hours of scheduled entertainment in an eight-hour period, there's fun at every turn, from a whip artist to swordfights. Shoppers will find close to 200 artisans with their creations on display. Hand crafted jewelry, leather, pottery and tapestry are among the wares. Aside from entertainment and shopping, another aspect that draws visitors is the food. "The turkey legs are big. The pickles are fantastic. We have steak on a stick and tempura. Some people come just to eat their way through the fair," said McFeters. Tickets are discounted for opening weekend and are $15 for adults. Kids up to age 12 get free admission. Throughout the year, special offers can be found on the Web site. HOW TO GET THERE: Take Interstate 94 North and exit Russell Road. Turn left (west) on Russell Road. Cross over Interstate 94 and go to Frontage Road. Turn right (north) on Frontage Road (which is a divided road) and go past 128th Street. Where the divided road becomes one there is a driveway. Turn left up the drive to the fair parking lot to12550 120th Ave., Kenosha. FOR MORE INFORMATION: 847-395-7773 or renfair.com/bristol HOURS: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday from July 11 to September 6, plus Labor Day (September 7) COST: Gate price is $18.95 for adults and $9.50 for kids 5 to12 and kids younger than 5 are free. Discount on tickets when you order online. Also, check Web site regularly for special offers. WHAT TO BRING: * A camera -- For a photo with Queen Elizabeth, Robin Hood or an elephant. * Sunblock -- Since much of the activity takes place outdoors. * An appetite -- For one of their famous turkey legs. YOU'LL LIKE: The authenticity of the costumes and the performances of the actors that make you feel like you're back in jolly ‘ol England. KIDS WILL LIKE: Heading to the Kids Kingdom for the show "The Devil and the Baker's Wife." AND DON'T MISS: One of the highlights is the rare opportunity to take a ride on an elephant. Try it while you have the chance and be sure to have the camera ready.

White Hart Renaissance Faire goes back in time | KY3 | Local News

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White Hart Renaissance Faire goes back in time | KY3 | Local News.

Marshfield, MO - It was perfect weather for a little trip outdoors today - and maybe even a trip back in time. Lads and lasses, kings and queens of all ages took to the White Hart Renaissance Faire near Marshfield. Folks could dine on authentic medeval cuisine, and even witness the Knights of the Realm face off in a jousting competition. And - it's also an educational experience. This is the fourth year for the Renaissance Faire.

AuburnPub.com - A merry olde tyme

AuburnPub.com - A merry olde tyme.

No, this isn't a small village in 1585 England, but the people behind the Sterling Renaissance Festival hope to complete the illusion for their guests. The festival is preparing to start its 33rd season this year; the gates are opening to the public on the weekend of the Fourth of July and will reopen Saturdays and Sundays until Aug. 16. Last year, the festival was only open for six weekends, due to a number of factors. “There had been waning interest in previous years, and we weren't sure if we could sustain the extra weekend,” says Doug Waterbury, who took over ownership and direction of the festival last year. “It costs over $100,000 each weekend to put this show on, and we were putting a lot of money back into the show for improvements and upgrades.” However, the investment paid off, and the festival was very successful last year. “Even with the bad weather we had for almost half the season, we did very well. One day traffic was backed up all the way into downtown Fair Haven, six miles away. We had to call the state police and have them direct traffic. Throughout the season we had maybe 7,000 to 12,000 guests a day, more on some days.” That success has lead Waterbury and his staff to return the festival to its original run of seven weekends, as well as continuing to focus on enlarging and improving the festival. “I went into this expecting a five- to six-year turnaround,” says Waterbury, “and I'm keeping with that. We have a lot of new events and venues here for people this year.” Among those new attractions are several new stages. “The front gate used to just be a facade, but we made an actual stage up there. Actors can stand at the top and interact with guests from the moment they walk in. We also added a covered beer garden stage and added architecture and a second level to the festival stage,” Waterbury said. Waterbury added, “What last year proved is that there is demand for a really great show, and we're going to give people that.” “We've come in with some new blood, some new energy. We have a new point of view is maybe the best way to say it,” he explained, “and there have been veterans, people who have come to this festival for over 30 years, who have said that last year was the best show we've ever had.” One of those veterans is Douglas Kondziolka. Kondziolka is the executive vice president of performing company Don Juan and Miguel, LLC, and he helps put on the acclaimed “Don Juan and Miguel Show” at the Sterling festival and other Renaissance Fairs around the country. “The people come here and they just love it,” said Kondziolka. “They have commented to me about how this festival is so interactive, more than other similar places. The Sterling festival has always been one the highest regarded in the country, and I guess you could say everyone is working to bring it back to its former glory. More has been done in the past two years than in the previous seven.” More construction wouldn't count for much if there wasn't entertainment to fill it, and that job falls to Gary Izzo. Izzo, the creative director of the festival, has been working at the Sterling festival since 1979. “As far as interactive entertainment, this festival sets the bar,” said Izzo, who has worked with the Walt Disney Co. at its theme parks developing and consulting on live entertainment. “I developed and launched the live interactive entertainment at Animal Kingdom, and I've used things that I learned here, at this festival.” Izzo continued, “We have some guest acts for our themed weekends, and more full-time shows this year. People will see something new every year. We have people who have been coming to this festival since it started, and even they have been surprised by what we've added.” One new addition is Falstaff, the classic comedic character from Shakespeare's “Henry IV” (parts one and two) and “The Merry Wives of Windsor.” “We are flying the actor in from Florida every other weekend, and he will be there entertaining people in the beer garden,” Izzo said.

Day trip: Sterling Renaissance Festival

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Each year, the town of Sterling, NY is transformed into an Elizabethan festival atmosphere during the Renaissance Festival, which starts July 4th and runs Saturdays and Sundays through August 16th. The Festival grounds are located at 15385 Farden Rd.; hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The action at the Festival is non-stop: 12 stages of continuous entertainment, games and rides, a full-armored jousting tournament, interactive village characters roaming the grounds, and merchants and artisans selling their wares, which favor the crafts of the era. If walking around the 35-acre festival grounds makes you hungry and parched, you'll find a number of "food purveyors" set up throughout the Festival: breakfast pastries, sandwiches, seafood, shish-ka-bobs, and huge turkey legs are among the many foods you'll find, and they can be followed by delectable desserts and a number of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Sterling, NY is located near Oswego, one hour east of Rochester and 45 minutes north of Syracuse. Tickets are $24.95 for adults, $14.95 for children 6-12. For more information and to get directions, visit sterlingfestival.com.

South Haven presents first Renaissance fair - Holland, MI - The Holland Sentinel

South Haven presents first Renaissance fair - Holland, MI - The Holland Sentinel.

South Haven — The public is invited to the first annual South Haven Renaissance Faire from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Performances will be led by the Knightwinds Renaissance Group locally based in Coloma. Activities and fanfare will include sword fighting, dancing, fortune telling, pony rides and more. The day will be filled with players re-enacting times of kings, queens, jesters and peasants. In addition to the merriment, South Haven Family Campground is hosting a Craft Fair to be held at the same time. Area tradesmen will show off jewelry, attire, leatherworks and other unique craftsmanship. Specialty food venders are also planning on enticing the most stubborn king’s senses with mouthwatering food and drink. The event is free with $5 parking. “It is our goal to turn this into an annual event, not just locally but regionally as well. I have found many local people that are involved in many different renaissance faires but travel across the state to be involved in an event,” Susan Novotny said. “Renaissance faires are designed to teach and entertain patrons by transporting them back in time, somewhere in the era of the 15th/16th century. Whether they come for education, pageantry, for the fighting, dancing, feasting or to wear exotic clothes, it takes passion, time, education and significant training to present a glimpse of history in an authentic manner that will both entertain and teach. We (Novotny’s and the Knightwinds Renaissance Group) hope to do just that this year and the years to come.” All the fun and excitement will be presented 5 miles east of downtown South Haven, at the corner of Phoenix Road (CR388) and 64th Street, on the grounds of the South Haven Family Campground.

Fair draws jousters large and small | newsleader.com | The News Leader

Fair draws jousters large and small | newsleader.com | The News Leader.

"We had to name her something with a 'T' because her father is Knight of the 4th 'T' and she is Maid of the 5th 'T'," said Trisha's mother Tracy Casady, as she stood at the sixth annual Stone Tower Glenn Renaissance Faire conducted Saturday and Sunday in Mount Solon. "Her name depended on her knighthood," said Terry Casady, her father, who held the tiny blonde-headed girl with ringlet curls and red juice stains on her face. Trisha participated in her first jousting tournament Saturday.

Summer means that the Renaissance Faires are in full swing

Summer means that the Renaissance Faires are in full swing.

When it comes to Renaissance Fairs it’s a good bet you fall into one of three crowds: you aren’t interested; you go, have a pretty good time but bemoan the price of the beers; or those who wear period dress and carrying an entire retinue of weapons and armor.

12th Annual Renaissance Faire Returns to Twig | Northland's NewsCenter NBC 6, CBS 3, My 9, and Northland CW for Duluth MN / Superior WI | Local News

12th Annual Renaissance Faire Returns to Twig | Northland's NewsCenter NBC 6, CBS 3, My 9, and Northland CW for Duluth MN / Superior WI | Local News.

What looks like a scene out of Robin Hood is actually a full-blown Renaissance Fair that was born from a small craft gathering 12 years ago. Now, it brings live full-contact jousting, true period costuming, and artisan merchants together for a memorable weekend. 3 stages of entertainment and 40 merchants selling everything from costumes to bows and arrows, aim to emphasize the historic nature of the period rather than the theatrical. The event considers itself a family based happening. There's even pony trail rides available for the kids.

Rogersville takes on Renaissance flavor - Kingsport Times-News Online

Rogersville takes on Renaissance flavor - Kingsport Times-News Online.

Ten years ago the Shakespeare and Friends Renaissance Faire was more of a friendly gathering than a full-fledged festival. This past weekend’s Renaissance Faire in Rogersville enjoyed its biggest Saturday crowd ever with more than 1,000 visitors passing through the gate at Crockett Spring Park. That’s not including knights, squires, trolls, fairies, wenches, wizards, fools, pirates, Queen Elizabeth and her court, and an assorted cast of men in tights or kilts. And the main man in tights was the master of ceremonies Sir William Shakespeare, played with enthusiasm by John Lee Welton. Shakespeare’s review of the event was less than sparkling, however. “This year’s Faire? Oh it’s only fair,” he quipped. “But we’re all having a marvelous time.”

Bay Area Concerts Examiner: The Rules for Renaissance Faires and Scottish Games

Bay Area Concerts Examiner: The Rules for Renaissance Faires and Scottish Games.

Renaissance Faires: To be a vendor, guild, or performer at a Renaissance Faire certain requirements (rules) must be followed. These can all be condensed down to one basic – your costumes, venues, and all items associated with the foregoing must be a true representation of what one would see during the Renaissance Period. For vendors this means that their tents, tables, displays, decorations, and attire must comply with this rule. Tents must not show any modern metals, plastics, fabrics, or ropes. The products of vendors must be handcrafted and made from materials available in the Renaissance. Plastics and imported items, for example, are forbidden. Wood frames or frames covered with canvas can only be used. Tables must be made from wood or covered with material with designs of the period. The same rules apply to guilds. Also, guilds must represent specific trades or skills from the Renaissance Period. These can include black smiths, armories, cobblers, and clothiers. Guilds that present methods of warfare, must use and demonstrate only those methods and weapons used in this period. Performers must comply with a all the costumes and venue rules and must perform those acts that would be presented in the Renaissance Period. Musicians must play period instruments. Dancers must dance in the styles of the Renaissance. And, actors must perform acts and skits as they would have done in this period.