Merriment is Coming

You guys. It’s time.

Those who have been reading KFDC for awhile likely know what I’m talking about. But if you’re fairly new here, you’re about to learn about my most absolute hands-down favorite-because-it-truly-is-the-best area event of the year: The Maryland Renaissance Festival.

This fantastic time trip to the 16th-century returns annually in late summer and early fall to its delightful hamlet in Crownsville, Md, called Revel Grove. Yes, this faire is so wonderful and clever, it has its own English Tudor village just for its two-month run every year. It sprawls gloriously through 25 acres of woods with several stages, a jousting ring, cute little shops and food stands, open air taverns, fountains, play structures, and other fun and charming features.

But it’s what happens when Ren Fest is in season that makes Revel Grove so magical. It fills up with all kinds of amusement for all ages. The live entertainment alone includes exciting jousting matches, cheeky comedy shows, fire eaters, sword swallowers, tight rope walkers and other balancing acts, jugglers, musical performances, puppetry, even a flea circus.

There are also roaming performers who might provide one of the best laughs you have all year, you know the kind where you laugh so hard you end up sobbing from the sheer pain of guffawing so uncontrollably (this might have actually happened last year). There is a fun wooden slide to whiz down, a pirate playground for kids, castle walls to scale, a twisting maze to navigate, grub and mead, pony rides, glass blowing demos, hair braiding, a massage tent, a reptile exhibit, and, if you can believe it, even more!

You can walk around with a giant turkey leg and a nice, cold cup of cider (the grown-up kind) while the kids delight in giant bubbles, spontaneous outbursts of song, and Renfesters dressed to the medieval nines. It’s pure fanciful entertainment in every direction.

I realize there are skeptics, those who think one event couldn’t possibly be so awesome in so many ways for so many people. I knew some those people. And I use past tense not because they are no longer my friends for being Ren Fest nonbelievers; I say that because they have been converted (you know who you are and you are welcome) and accept Ren Fest as their recreation nirvana. And so will you.

So, this year’s logistics: The 2014 Maryland Renaissance Festival begins this Saturday, August 23, and will run every weekend through October 19. Hours are 10am – 7pm. Admission is $17/adults, $15/seniors, $8/ages 7-15, free for 6 and under through September 14. After that, tickets go up to $22/adults, $19/seniors, $10/ages 7-15, still free for 6 and under. Multi-day passes that offer a discount are also available.

There are special events to take note of as well:
* August 23-24 is Children’s Weekend – free admission for ages 11 and under
* September 1 – free admission for seniors 62 and over
* September 6-7 is Pirate Weekend – dress in your pirate best!
* September 20-21 is a Scottish Celebration
* October 4-5 is Romance Weekend – a vowel renewal ceremony is open to all couples!
* October 12 is ASL interpretation day
* October 18-19 is a jousting competition

If you need a little more convincing or just want to see some photos of our experiences at Ren Fests past, go here, here, here, and here. Otherwise, just go to Ren Fest.

Huzzah!