Faire Fun for May 29 – June 9, 2008
Alaska
Three Baron’s Renaissance Faire opens their gates for the next two weekends at the Tozier Dog Track in Anchorage. There’s a $1 discount coupon available for printing on the website.
California
The 3rd annual Big Bear Pirate Festival will take place on north shore of Big Bear Lake this weekend. There’ll be pirate battles, stage shows, and treasure hunts. This is a fundraising event to support youth education in the Valley.
Koroneburg European Old World Festival continues this weekend in Corona, hopefully with weather closer to that of the past weekend and not that of Memorial Day weekend when temperatures hovered near 100. They are still offering a discount ticket coupon. The Washing Well Wenches are appearing so, if you need to cool off, go for a front row seat.
This is Valhalla Renaissance Faire’s final weekend in Lake Tahoe. The $2 off coupon is still on their website and the reports indicate the first weekend was successful.
Colorado
Colorado Medieval Festival takes place this weekend beginning on Friday when children will enter free and adults’ tickets are half-priced. This is the festival’s first year at Riverside Park in Evans.
Florida
Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival begins today in Fort Walton Beach and lasts through Monday, June 9. A family event with costume contests, live music, and fireworks, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss the pirate battles on Friday and Saturday.
John Levique Pirate Festival kicks off Friday night with the Pirate’s Ball, an adults only event. The rest of the weekend is family oriented, free to the public, and runs 10am – 10pm on Saturday and 10am – 6pm on Sunday. There will be pirate fights, parades, and black powder weapon demonstrations as well as treasure hunts and hurricane awareness booths. The FaireNews crew will be there to see many of their friends from around Florida, including Caroline Jett portraying Anne Bonny.
Georgia
Georgia Renaissance Festival closed this past weekend, finishing their eight week run with great, albeit hot, weather. A search of Flickr turned up a bunch of faire pictures from this past weekend. I especially liked the one of the shadow lady taken by TempestFae.
Iowa
The Dubuque Museum of Art’s fundraiser, Dubuque Renaissance Faire, was a success with more than 1200 attendees, exceeding their first year expectations. They’ve posted some pictures from the faire in their Media Gallery and I found a Flickr slideshow of pictures taken by Kristina06. Congratulations to the Museum on their success.
Kentucky
The Kentucky Highlands Renaissance Festival opened last weekend and all reports say it was a great time. The festival’s photographer has posted pictures to his gallery and it looks like those reports are accurate. The faire continues with the Jacobite Weekend as supporters of Bonny Prince Charlie invade. Children under the age of 12 are free this weekend with a paid adult ticket. Barely Balanced will be there, demonstrating their skills with clubs, knives, and stilts. Tell them we said Hi!
Shakespeare and Friends Renaissance Festival presents the Age of Pirates this weekend in Rogersville. Join the fun with sweet music, jousting, puppetry and more.
Maryland
Maryland Faerie Festival is this weekend in Upper Marlboro. No other details are available as I write this; their site appears to be down (9pm June 5).
Massachusetts
Silver Kingdom Renaissance Faire opens for the first of two weekends. They’ve got TrollBall on the schedule, a game I’ve never seen before, which is described as team competition to dump the troll head in the opposing goal. Five person teams with swords compete using not only brute force but also, and more importantly, skill and speed. Matches are ongoing throughout the day, organized by Calimacil with all comers welcome and equipment available. Sounds like fun. On a calmer note, The Harper and the Minstrel are on the entertainment schedule. Tell them we said “Hello”.
Missouri
This is the Greater St Louis Renaissance Festival’s final weekend. Get out while you can and enjoy the French shire of Petit Lyon. Their $2 discount ticket coupon is still available.
New Jersey
The 6th annual Fantasy Faire at Wheaton Village in Millville is this weekend. Held at the WheatonArts, the faire is included in the price of admission to the facility. There’ll be live stage shows, merchants, fight demonstrations, and interactive shows where those attending can get involved.
New Jersey Medieval and Fantasy Festival is this weekend in Long Valley. The family event is a fundraiser for St Mark’s Church and features live renaissance music, sword fighting tournaments, and free games for the children. They’ve got two full days of activities scheduled. I love a faire that plans ahead, their schedule through 2011 is already on the website. Huzzah!!
Oklahoma
The Lawton Renaissance Festival opens this weekend for their 3rd season with King Charles V and Queen Katherine welcoming you to the shire. Be sure to catch The Ladies of the Salty Kiss for a healthy dose of piratical comedy. There’s a long list of merchants who are offering discount coupons.
Pennsylvania
Midsummer Faire is this weekend in Lehighton. They’re offering discounted tickets for military personnel. Go by and watch the Blackjacks and Blarney show. I heard Maria sing an a capella duet with Neidfyre at WickedFaire this year and it was magical.
South Dakota
Souixland Renaissance Festival takes place this weekend at the W. H. Lyons Fairgrounds in Souix Falls. They’ll again have the Trebuchet Contest on Saturday. Mistress Bawd and Twig the Faerie are on the entertainment schedule. Those attending in Renaissance clothing will receive a $2 discount on their ticket.
Texas
The Central Texas Renaissance Festival opens for the first of its three-weekend run. Set in the time of King Arthur, the family oriented entertainment includes live steel demonstrations by Ampguard and both the Four Winds Jousters and the Lady Skye Jousters. Bring a non-perishable food item for the Central Texas Food Bank and receive $1 discount off the adult ticket price. This is a one item per one ticket offer.
Virginia
Virginia Renaissance Faire continues with the Midsummer Night’s Dream weekend with lots of mischief, mayhem, and music on tap. Be sure to catch one of Neidfyre’s shows while you’re there.
Wisconsin
Port Washington Pirate Festival begins Friday night and runs through Sunday. This is a family event with lots of entertainment and a pancake breakfast with the pirates. There will be a pirate ship offering cruises but you’ll need reservations for that.
Ontario, Canada
Gregor’s Crossing Medieval Faire took place this past weekend. One of the cast members, Rosa_Draconum, is detailing the event in her live journal. It sounds like they had a good time, in spite of her unfortunate run in with an unruly child on Friday. I look forward to reading the rest of her report.
Robin in the Hood Festival just came to my attention today. Located in Elmira, Ontario, it’s a two day educational faire beginning on Friday, but only open to the public on Saturday, June 7. There’ll be magic, battles, jesters, musicians, jugglers, comedy, and games of skill. If you dress up, they are offering a 10% discount on all Game Card purchases.
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Comment by Escarlata | June 18, 2008
Just saw a post over at in LiveJournal that explains the Maryland Fairy Festival’s website being down. Seems that lightening fried the webserver. Here’s kudos to their webmaster for getting it back up so quickly. To read all of Olivia’s comments about the festival, check out Olivia’s Journal – Maryland Faerie Festival & Sweat Ceremony