Last fall I spent a day wandering the grounds of the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Festival outside of Orlando, Florida. I’m habitually traveling in the spring every year and miss the one in my hometown, but I chanced upon one outside of Orlando last fall and the lure was too much to resist so I went and played along for the day.
There are several Renaissance Festivals taking place throughout the year and all over Florida. In addition to this Festival outside of Orlando, in Tavares, an amazing Festvial takes place in the spring in Tampa, and the fall in Sarasota–both are also worth a visit if you’ve never before experienced a Renaissance Festival!
What exactly is a Renaissance Festival?
You are essentially time traveling back to Elizabethan England and you play along with the interactive actors for the day as the craft a story and an experience.
Renaissance Festivals take place all over the world in many forms, including Medieval fares, and Period Festivals, along with a wide range of other similar ideas.
I find that people fall on one of two opinions on Ren Faires:
- Those who have never been, think it’s supremely odd, ranks it up there with Civil War reenatments and never want to visit one.
- Those who have been, know its supremely odd and habitually attend for a day of playing with interactive actors, creative games, crafts, and unhealthy food.
The Characters at the Festival
Actors for the festivals build characters around whatever the theme is for the year and you will find they go all out in their attempt to re-create the time period. You can expect any and all of the following at a Renaissance Festival:
- A perfected a 16th Century English accent
- Sewed together a raggedy peasant costumes to highlight the class system of Renaissance England
- Gorgeous costumes from the Royal Court
- Even more stunning costumes on the King and Queen
- Swords and period accessories like leather belts and cups.
- Bows and arrows, because, why not?!
What Type of Shows are Offered?
Visitors are invited to walk the festival grounds shunning as much modernity as they feel comfortable with. You can play games designed from wood and ropes. Jousting is offered. And you can’t miss the human combat chess fought by staged battles between all of the characters at the festival that day, including the princesses and peasants.
The people are friendly and if you’re outgoing enough you can spend the day captivated in the story the interactive actors have created for you. There’s almost always a plot to assassinate the queen.
One of my favorite shows was in Orlando this year; the Washing Well Wenches are raunchy and they tie with the Mud Show as best show to catch.
Both shows tour the US Faires extensively so if you’re visiting the US, and a Faire is nearby, how lucky for you that you get to attend!
Also have to shout out to Empty Hats – their music pulls at my heart and I was so glad to hear their tinkling melody at the Orlando Ren Faire…because Faire is just not Faire without them. My Ren Faire memories are thoroughly laced with the sounds of these talented musicians.
If you get the chance, I have to say – just go. I know it sounds weird. Even people who know me think it’s strange. But seriously. Go. It’s a bizarre slice of culture you won’t find anywhere else and a travel experience in its own right.