Faire Fun for June 6 - 16, 2008
My apologies for the tardiness of this post, there was a minor emergency in our extended family yesterday.
Father’s Day is this weekend and many faires are running some sort of tribute to Fathers.
Alaska
Three Baron’s Renaissance Faire opened for their first weekend this past Saturday at the Tozier Dog Track in Anchorage. John Gomes captured pictures of the first weekend and shared them in his “3 Barons Fair 2008” album. They’ll be open this weekend too and the $1 discount coupon and entertainment schedule are available for printing on the website.
California
The Big Bear Pirate Festival was a success. They had a good turnout, in spite of competing with six other events in town. Their children’s area was a big hit and the performers did a tremendous job. They will be at a new, permanent location in Fawnskin next year and look forward to another great year.
This is the final weekend of Koroneburg European Old World Festival in Corona and the last chance to take advantage of their discount tickets (weekend pass $25.00/$20 for children/senior/Military).
Saturday, the Scottish Renaissance Festival (formerly the Dragon Slayers Renaissance Festival) in Watsonville will feature music, magic, and merriment. Join numerous guilds as they raise funds for the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County.
The gates of the Valhalla Renaissance Faire have closed for 2008. The second weekend is reported to have been very nice. In Howie’s Rants and Raves, Howie report on “Renaissance Faire (Tahoe Style)”. It was a fun read and, based on his pictures, I’d say they had a good time and nice weather for it.
Colorado
Colorado Renaissance Festival begins their eight-week run on Saturday as the gates swing open to an “Adventure to the Past.” For this weekend only, tickets will be buy-one-get-one and, once inside the gates, be sure to check out the “King for a Day” contest.
Florida
John Levique Pirate Festival took place this past weekend. If you’ve not already seen it, take a look at the trip report from FaireNews’ adventure. We had a great time.
Kentucky
The Kentucky Highlands Renaissance Festival hosts a Tribal Weekend with special guests Albannach, a Celtic pipe and drum band from Glasgow, Scotland, and author and historian David Ross whose specialty is Sir William Wallace. Discount tickets are available if ordered online through the ClickNPrint link on KHRF’s homepage
Maryland
The Hagerstown Renaissance Festival will take place on the grounds of the historic Hager House this weekend. The festival is free and features historic reenactments by the SCA Barony of Highland Forde.
High humidity and temperatures hampered the Maryland Faerie Festival this past weekend. Those who did turn out seem to have had a good time but did not stay as long as they would have liked. There are reports that next year’s festival will return to its May slot. I hope that that will alleviate some of the weather issues that were the most reported item about this past weekend’s event.
Massachusetts
Silver Kingdom Renaissance Faire opened for the first of two weekends. Though the weather was hot and humid, they had a good time. The faire will be open again this coming weekend with TrollBall still on the schedule.
Minnesota
The Olde World Renaissance Faire, commonly called TWIG for the town it is located in, opens the gates to visitors this weekend. Neidfyre will be there, as well as Istanpitta, Wolgemut, and many other outstanding musicians. Unlike many faires, the theme of this faire is that of a Market Village on a normal day. No Royal Court is in progress and the highest class in the village is that of merchant. Patrons are encouraged to wear garb (a costume) and, of course, may dress to the role they have chosen. A $1 discount on tickets at the gate will be given if you wear garb (a costume).
Missouri
The Greater St Louis Renaissance Festival closed this past weekend to a weekend without rain, finally. There are pictures and links to more pictures in the “St Louis Ren faire – 2008” thread over at RenaissanceFestival.com
New Jersey
New Jersey Medieval and Fantasy Festival in Long Valley last weekend has been deemed a success by the producer, Chris Last. Though temperatures soared, hundreds of patrons came out to enjoy the shows … and the shade of the big tent. There was music, belly dancing, costume contests, merchants, and more to fill the day. A surprise costume contest for the merchants netted the winner, UB Dragon Ice Cream, his site fee as a prize. I wonder if it made wearing the big green dragon costume in that heat worth it?
New York
Pirates will take over the Long Island Maritime Museum this Father’s Day weekend as the Long Island Pirate Festival brings you pirate sword fights, period music and sea shanties, living history pirate encampments, and black powder cannon demonstrations. Putting on your pirate is encouraged, so join the fun and possibly win one of the costume contests.
Oklahoma
The Lawton Renaissance Festival is open again this weekend, though it’s your last chance to catch them for the year. A merchant offered a review of the faire over on the RenaissanceFestival.com forums. Discount tickets may still be available at some of the merchants on this list.
Pennsylvania
Hobbits and Faeries invade the Hemlock Spring Historic Crafts & Cultural Arts Center on Saturday for a day of fun at the Woodland Hobbit and Fairy Festival. Woodland and fairy costume clad attendees are welcome and will be entertained with storytelling, music, tea parties, puppets, and various artistic and craft activities for children and adults alike.
South Dakota
This past weekend, the seventh annual Souixland Renaissance Festival took place at the W. H. Lyons Fairgrounds in Souix Falls. The festival was declared a success and it is purported that merchants were so busy they didn’t have time to use the privys. I found a set of pictures from Souixland at Melissa’s Picasa Album.
Texas
The Central Texas Renaissance Festival was open last weekend for the first of its three-weekend run. The faire, in it’s first year, had some growing pains primarily with the food and beverage merchants but management worked valiantly toward a resolution. They are running a Father’s Day ticket special this coming weekend. Purchase a child’s ticket and Dad gets in free. A donation to the Central Texas Food Bank will still get you a $1 discount off the adult ticket price.
Virginia
Virginia Renaissance Faire welcomes Keltish and several other special guests for a weekend celebrating Celtic Heritage and is also the official Clan M’Crack invasion weekend.
Washington
Ye Merrie Greenwood Renaissance Faire is this weekend in Richland. There’s an extensive line up of entertainment for your enjoyment and a weekend pass which discounts tickets by $4 if you’re going both days anyway.
Wisconsin
The gates of Doon Douglas swing open for the first of their five-weekend season. A new feature this year at the Wisconsin Renaissance Festival is Ales and Tales, a raucous one hour private party variety show hosted by Northwoods Brewpub. In honor of Father’s Day, this weekend at the gate only, Fathers get in half price with the purchase of child admission or child 5 & under present!
Port Washington Pirate Festival got rain, rain, and more rain plus flash flood alerts and tornado warning close enough to set off the sirens. Only a few of the tall ship cruises that were on the schedule took place. I found a great picture on webshots of a ship that seems to be floating on air - What a sight!! One of the cast is blogging about his experiences playing John T Hawser at the faire. It brought it to life for me. Hope you all enjoy too!!
Ontario, Canada
The Upper Canada Village Heritage Park in Morrisburg will hold a Medieval Festival beginning Friday and lasting through the weekend. Friday’s schedule is designed primarily as an educational program, but the public is welcome.
