Faire Fun May 3-11, 2008
I found, as I researched today’s post, that I missed quite a few of the smaller college faires this past week. It’s spring and there may be more that I’ve not found reference to. If you know of one that I miss, please leave a comment with the information.
California
Auburn, California, will see Cain’s Crossing Renaissance Faire open the gates to the shire this weekend in the large, oak studded meadow of the Auburn Regional Park. Visitors will find enough activity to ensure a good time with a great variety of amusement, food for feasting, swordsmen fighting for the prize, a bevy of bellydancers and a children’s glen for the little ones. Proceeds will benefit the Auburn Education Foundation.
Koroneburg European Old World Festival opens this weekend, running til Father’s Day weekend and all three days of Memorial Day weekend. They’ve got a $3 discount coupon available. The joust, starring Imperial Knights, is full contact jousting with no breakaway lances. Wolgemut takes the stage during for four weekends. I’ve heard great things about them and hope to catch a live performance one of these days.
Ojai Renaissance and Pirate Faire is this coming weekend on the shores of Lake Casitas, north of Ventura, California. Patrons are encouraged to dress for Elizabethan court or to mingle with pirates in the 16th century village.
Queen Bess and the Pyrates in Fresno, California, will bring a new prospective to Queen Elizabeth’s story. Now in her later years, Queen Elizabeth I is creating wealth for England by providing the Privateers with letters of Marque. Tickets are $6 and you can get $1 off with a food donation.
Only two weekends left for the Renaissance Pleasure Faire of Southern California at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale. The Faire is still offering advance purchase discount tickets.
Georgia
Rain this past weekend brought out the best of the Georgia Renaissance Faire for one family. Read their trip report and tips for having a great time. Mothers will be celebrated this coming weekend with discount tickets are available for printing at home.
Idaho
The Moscow Renaissance Fair, a two-day celebration of spring, had near perfect weather this past weekend. Dennis Brady, a merchant at the faire, spoke highly of his time there and the Profound Experience he had.
Iowa
Iowa City Press-News reporter, Rachel Gallegos, interviewed several partivipnts and patrons at the 17th Annual Iowa Renaissance Festival and Gathering o’ Celts this past weekend and found that all had a good time.
Minnesota
Nick Haasch of New Ulm College reported that, though the forecast looked dismal, the weather ended up being wonderful and attendance was up from last year. Patrons could choose to interact with royalty, watch a mercenary group performing demonstration with medieval weaponry, or laugh along with skits about butchered fairy tales, skewed ways to woo wenches, and even a take on Abbot and Costello’s “Who’s on first.” He said “All in all, I couldn’t have asked for a better day to hold a faire, nor with finer people.”
Mississippi
The 2008 “Faire Sur La Mer” or “Faire By The Sea”, the Ocean Springs Renaissance Faire, started out very wet, with rain still falling on Saturday morning. By 1pm, the weather had cleared and the show continued. WLOX, a local TV station sent a reporter out to capture some of Saturday’s events. Due to the weather, only one jousting event occurred on Saturday but Sunday’s schedule went off without a hitch. According to Frank Stumbo’s article, “Renaissance Festival crowd doubles on second day” published April 5th in The Mississippi Press, faire management was very pleased with the turnout, the weather, and the funds raised for the sponsoring church’s charities.
Nebraska
It’s time for the Renaissance Faire of Nebraska and, this year, the faire has a new site at the Bellevue Berry and Pumpkin Ranch near Papillion. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for kids, and under 8 free.
New Jersey
A teaser showed up in the Healing Fireball blog about the theme for this coming year’s New Jersey Renaissance Kingdom and Faire. The Healer’s post, “Arrr! It’s a Pirate Year” and the New Jersey Renaissance Pirate Kingdom website agree, the Kingdom of Camelot will be taken over by pyrates this year.
New York
It was wet cold weather this past Saturday for the opening of the Hudson Valley MayFaire but that didn’t stop paytrons from showing up and enjoying the day. Peter D Kramer reporting in “Frozen “Shrew,” anyone?” told of a bleacher full laughing and applauding to for The Rogue Players rendition of “Taming of the Shrew.” Video and comments from attendees are being posted on the faire website.
Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival opened this past weekend and runs through May 26th. Early Friday morning saw pingpong sized hail but the weather cleared for Saturday’s opening though it stayed cool. There was a Masked Ball Saturday evening with 18 musicians providing the tunes for much dancing and merriment. Information about ticket prices, and how to get a discount, are available on the Hours & Prices page. You can also pick up a “$2.00 Off” coupon at Wendy’s.
Pennsylvania
Last weekend’s Spoutwood Farm’s Fairie Festival has concluded successfully. Several performers and patrons have posted blogs saying how much fun they had. Lisa Lynne included a video in her Harpgirl’s Journal post that includes beautiful music and fun commentary.
The first New Hope Renaissance Festival takes place on Mechanic Street in New Hope, Pennsylvania, this weekend. It’s a free show.
Tennessee
In spite of four inches of rain Friday night before opening, the gates of Covington Glen swung open as a young Queen Elizabeth I welcomed all to the shire. Improvements on the grounds include some new tall tables added in the Red Hook pub area and upgrades to the privies. The Tennessee Renaissance Festival celebrates Romance weekend with vow renewals for married couples. I received a recommendation from my friend, Lady Nicolette, to be sure to see the Royal Improv Show when we are there in a couple of weeks.
Texas
Scarborough Renaissance Festival, who had approximately 20,000 visitors for their Cinco de Mayo celebration last weekend, presents a weekend of Renaissance Romance. The King will lead renewal-of-vows ceremonies on May 10 and 11 at noon in the Wedding Garden. The History, Customs, and Manners class, held each week by the tree near the front gate just before morning court dance, will provide instruction on Love and Sex and is the adults only class.
The Texas Renaissance Festival will hold the second of their yearly cast auditions this Saturday, May 10th, on the festival grounds at 21778 FM 1774 in Plantersville, Texas. Appointments are required for auditions; call the Festival office at 800-458-3435, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Utah
The 3rd annual Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire starts this weekend in Marriott-Slaterville, Utah. There will be jousting, magic, belly dancers, Celtic music, puppets, and lots of other entertainment. They’re offering tickets at half-price if you attend in Renaissance garb.
Around the World
As Paolo Garbanzo told me a couple of weeks ago during our interview, faires and festivals take place all over Europe also. This week I found references to events taking place in France.
Jenny, an American living in France, added a post with video about the Andilly Medieval Faire, May 17 & 18 and May 24 & 25, that she plans to attend
Deb, an Austrailian living in France, added a post with pictures and video about the Beziers Medieval Faire that she attended on May 6th.
If you are in New England Area May 24th, Threads of Time is having an open house. Please contact us at lquinn@threadsoftime.com for more details.
Thanks -Lew
Comment by Lewissa | May 10, 2008