The Arizona Renaissance Festival is just around the corner.
Are you the type who cannot get enough eating, drinking and merriment? If this describes your ideal life, you won’t want to miss this year’s Arizona Renaissance Festival. Held every weekend from Feb. 11 to April 2 2017 and located in beautiful Gold Canyon, the festival is a royal sight to behold. Prepare yourself for a magical journey into a 16th-century-Europe country fair. www.arizona.renfestinfo.com
Become Part of the Story
Continuous interaction is the festival’s greatest feature. As you stroll the 30-acre medieval village, you’ll pass hundreds of colorfully costumed characters carousing in the streets. Knights, knaves and wenches will want you to participate in the revelry, which brings to life the magic of that fanciful time. If being immersed in silliness isn’t your style, head to one of the 13 stages and enjoy some unique live entertainment.
Pump Up That Adrenaline
The Renaissance Festival is set up like a fairground, which means it will have plenty of heart-thumping amusement park rides, exciting interactive games and even a roaming circus. Sticking with the throwback theme, the rides are people-powered, but they’re anything but boring. There are also ride and game options for little ones, including a gigantic rocking horse, an archery range and a castle siege adventure.
Root for Your Favorite Warrior
One of the most beloved attractions of the festival is the live-action jousting tournament. During this incredibly realistic battle, armored knights ride grand steeds while attempting to save the famed damsel in distress. Those 10-foot lances are sure to impress adults and children of all ages. After the raucous ends, you can visit the Royal Stable to meet your favorite chivalrous champion.
Indulge in a Colossal Banquet
The Pleasure Feast is something you have to experience in order to understand its enormity. This is a five-course feast lasting more than an hour, but it’s so much more than just delectable food. While you dine on roasted turkey legs, sip medieval mead and stuff yourself full of seemingly endless provisions, you’ll be treated to a hilarious musical comedy show.
Take Home a Keepsake
In addition to a fun souvenir presented to guests at the Pleasure Feast, you can browse more than 200 shops where talented merchants offer their wares. Purchase a wand or sword for your little one, or select a distinctive pewter goblet for yourself. You can also watch demonstrations of era-specific craft making such as glass blowing, blacksmithing and weaving.
The Arizona Renaissance Festival is your chance to step into a more picturesque piece of history and experience the jovial abandon of this cultural movement. Fair hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and ticket prices are $24 at the gate. Children under 5 years old get in free, and there are discounts for seniors. This old-fashioned family adventure will surely be your favorite day out, and it may leave you wishing for a time machine.
In the news…
- Phoenix spring festivals: From food to music to art, 80 festivals to visit this spring in Phoenix www.abc15.com/entertainment/events
- Ladies and lords, it’s time to joust www.eastvalleytribune.com/get_out/events/ladies-and-lords-it-s-time-to-joust
- The joke is on history at Arizona Renaissance Festival www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/events
- 2016 Arizona Renaissance Festival – Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugv2qYHyOaA
Thank you for taking the time to read. Have a great day 🙂
Are they still doing that Dead Bob Show? I’m not really that much of ren fair person but that was my favorite part of the AZ Ren Fest.