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What is a Renaissance Festival?
A Renaissance festival or a ‘Ren faire’ is an event that takes place in a vaguely historical version of the Renaissance period. Most fairs have a specific time that they’re themed around, with actors, dressed historically accurately, and representing specific historical figures. There is normally some sort of King and Queen and their court. Renaissance fairs don't really stick to their historical period, and explore more fantasy and folklore elements, along with mixing other historical times and pop culture moments. You are just as likely to find someone dressed up as a period-accurate 1800 Scotsman as you are to find someone dressed up like Gerald Riviera from The Witcher. You can always expect lots of amazing vendors selling their wares, ranging from handmade jewelry, flower crowns, costume pieces, and swords to furniture for your house, most of which are made by local artists or small businesses. Depending on what your Ren fair has to offer there will be a number of performers, ranging from Jousting to singers, all of them are dressed and act to match the Fair! When it comes to food the Ren fairs have a mix of some of your favorite fair foods and Specialty foods that come from history (or normal foods with cool names, like the King Corn Dog which is a foot-long corn dog)
Why this time period ?
Why this time period ?
How do you dress for a Ren Fair?
However, you want! From full historical costumes, to cosplay to just wearing Jeans and a T-shirt you will see everything! I, personally, am a fan of mixing some more historical pieces with things more Fantasy-based! For examples, a history leather beth and wool taten sash with a bright purple chesmin with some Potion bottles filled with swirling glittering liquids attached to the belt, and you can’t forget the elf ears!
When you go to a Ran fair…
When you go to a Ran fair…
Expect to have spotty Wi-Fi and cell connection, have a meeting spot with your group and times to meet up!
Be ready to Play along! If you're walking around an actor comes up to you and accuses you of being a witch, go along with it! You will get a really fun and unique experience out of it!
Bring Cash and a card! Some vendors only take cash due to the lack of wifi
Most of their fairs are somewhere off in the woods or in fields, so where shows you don’t mind getting dirty!
If you want to go to a show, do it!
Don't be afraid to try new things!
Be ready to shout “HAZZAR” and be called my lady or my lord!
Strike up a conversation with a stranger! There's nothing people love talking about more than how they have made or acquired pieces of their costume!
People and Crowd-watching can be more entertaining than the shows sometimes!
Some of the Best Renaissance Festival in the USA
Texas Renaissance Festival
Texas Renaissance Festival
When: October 7th- November 26th
Where: 21778 Farm to Market 1774 Todd Mission, TX 77363
Unique Features: Has an attached campsite! You can bring your own tent or RV or rent one of the Historical tents they have! They also have a Renaissance after-party (club), Pub Crawl and Escape Rooms!
Maryland Renaissance Festival
Maryland Renaissance Festival
When: Auguest 26th- October 22nd
Where: Maryland Renaissance Festival, P.O. Box 315, Crownsville, MD 21032
Unique Features: Each year they choose a time period and a different storyline to follow and create during the fair. They also host ASL weekends where all shows and performances have interpreters. You can also get married at their onsite Church by a fair Jester! This is also my home fair! I have been going since I was little!
New York Renaissance Festival
New York Renaissance Festival
When: Auguest 26th- October 8th
Where: Tuxedo, New York
Unique Features: Like all fairs that we have seen this far their are different theme every weekend, this fair is unique with its theme of Time travelers, allowing guests to dress up however they like. They also offer a Pub Crawl on special weekends!
Bristol Renaissance Festival
Bristol Renaissance Festival
When: July 8th- September 4th
Where: Kenosha, WI
Unique Features: RenQuest is something you can only find at the Bristol fair! This is an interactive advancer for guest to be the heroes of their one storys! With a main storyline and many side quests is a game that can be player over and over again upon each visit!
Northern California Renaissance Festival
Northern California Renaissance Festival
When: October 7th- November 26th
Where: Pacheco Pass, HWY 152 10031 Pacheco Pass Hw
Unique Features: Their are 14 different guilds within the fair, each with their own Characteristics and appeals! These guild are used to make the experiences for the guest more immersive and unique!
Ohio Renaissance Festival
Ohio Renaissance Festival
When: September 2nd- October 29th
Where: 10542 Ohio 73 Waynesville, Ohio 4506
Unique Features: Unlike the other fairs, even once fair season is over, there are still ‘ren fair-ish’ events going on! They hold a Yule (Christmas) celebration, during Halloween they do a Hunted Woods (Brimstone Hunt), an eatery and winery that is open all spring and summer, they host Celtfest to celebrate the Celtic heritage, and year-round they host a Sun Henge year-round!
Arizona Renaissance Festival
Arizona Renaissance Festival
When: February 3rd- March 31st
Where: 12601 E. US Highway 60 Gold Canyon AZ 85118
Unique Features: They host a grad feast each day for special guests and on your special day, seeing as you can also get married and host your reception at their venue hall! They are also the only fair to host field trips for students to come and learn about the historical time period.
Want to take the Ren Fair Experience a step further? Check out the attached page on L.A.R.P!
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