Feature Photo: Frank Romeo / Shutterstock.com
Every New Yorker who loves history knows about The New York Renaissance Faire. It’s the perfect event to get lost in a world of 16th-century fantasy and have fun with the whole family. This 65-acre patch of land has hosted over 160,000 medieval events for the last 45 years. It features a blend of food, different themed weekends, rides, and performances. Here’s all you need to know about the New York Renaissance Faire.
Where is the New York Renaissance Faire Located?
The New York Renaissance Faire is held at 15385 Farden Road in New York’s Sterling Forest State Park in Tuxedo, Orange County. This theme park is along State Route 17A and Old Mt. Peter Road. It’s also 300 feet from the Halloween-themed House of Fear.
When does the New York Renaissance Faire take place?
The Renaissance Faire lasts seven weekends from late August to early October. It runs during the apple-picking season and Labor Day. Activities run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. You’ll most likely find large crowds at this event, especially during days when it coincides with other events.
History of the New York Renaissance Faire
The history of the New York Renaissance Faire can be traced back to Southern California when Mr. Patterson and his wife Phyllis held the first Renaissance Faire in 1963 at the Paramount Ranch. This idea quickly spread to different parts of the United States. In 1966, Barbara Hope and Donald Gaiti, partnered with the Renaissance Entertainment Corp to acquire Creative Faires Ltd, the company that was running the fair. The new owners then held New York’s first Renaissance Faire in Tuxedo in 1977 to a smaller audience, but it has grown in popularity since.
The Renaissance Fair is based on what it is named after…The Renaissance. That particular time period in history dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Ths word itself was used to define an awakening from the dark ages often classified as the middle ages. The period of The Renaissance brought great changes in humanity fueled by the arts from paintings to music to great social changes. It is one of the most studied and celebrated time periods in European History.
What You’ll Find at the New York Renaissance Faire
Once at the theme park, you’ll find Elizabethan England-themed villages in Sterling Forest, numerous stores, and 20 stages spread between streets. Other things that you’ll find here include:
Different themes, Performances, Joust, Stunt Performers
The New York Renfaire’s unique themes, such as time traveler, marketplace, or pirate weekends, create an incredible experience. It’s essential to check their website to know what theme will be on before you visit.
You’ll find performers like Aron Bonk, a master at balancing several swords on their heads and cracking flame-coated whips. He also has a subtle sense of humor. Another famous performer you shouldn’t miss out on is Tiny Girl, Big Show with Stahr. She can pick up a flaming torch with her teeth while doing a backbend.
Judas and Magnolia are expert escape artists that incorporate comedy into their acts. This husband-and-wife duo engages their audiences with narratives that will entertain you. The full-contact joust is the main event that will leave you on the edge as you watch knights fight each other for honor.
If stunts aren’t your fancy, you can watch a “theatre of fools,” an entertaining show based on Shakespeare’s cock-combed fool. Their hilarious theatrics will have you holding your sides with laughter. You could also have your hair plaited like a forest fairy or join Queen Elizabeth I as she visits the village.
Besides stunt performers, the New York Renaissance Faire hosts over 100 artisans skilled in candle making, glassblowing or blacksmithing, ready to sell you their wares.
Plenty of Food
The New York Renaissance Faire is also famed for its different tasty foods. There are mini donuts from Dave’s Mini-Donuts, which come in different flavors and meat on a stick at Willow’s Fare to enjoy. If you desire a turkey leg, head to Little John’s Feast for a turkey leg. If you fancy a drink, the Faire’s Pub Crawl is the perfect place for you as you interact with other pub crawlers.
Photo: Frank Romeo / Shutterstock.com
Tips for Visiting the New York Renaissance Faire
The New York Renaissance Faire can be confusing for first-time visitors. Here are some tips to help you have more fun at the fair.
Tickets are available at the Box Office for $30 for adults and $15 for kids and of course are subject to change. Senior citizens and military service members are eligible for discounts, while children under four get in for free. It’s crucial to download and print your tickets before you visit the fair since there may be poor cellular connectivity. You should also check what theme will be present before you plan your visit. It’s recommended to bring plenty of $1 and $5 to tip the performers since the shows are free.
Avoid wearing tights to the Faire since they can get uncomfortable during summertime. If you plan to carry an old-timer weapon as your dress-up, ensure it’s peace-tied since the management strictly disallows functional weapons in the Park. However, it’s not a must to dress up, even though it’s recommended, to blend in with other visitors.
The Lowdown
The New York Renaissance Faire is the perfect place to visit if you’re a fan of medieval fantasy and dressing up. It’s a place filled with fun, laughter, and cheer as you interact with fellow fair lovers. There are even antique stores and restaurants you can try out. Everything discussed here proves that you’ll love visiting it. Therefore, if you’ve never visited this place, it’s time to include it in your bucket list of fun places in New York you can visit. All the best!
Resources:
https://hudsonvalleyexplored.com/new-york-renaissance-faire-events-tuxedo-ny/
https://rove.me/to/new-york/new-york-renaissance-faire
https://renfair.com/ny/the-faire/entertainment/
https://hvmag.com/things-to-do/arts-culture/new-york-renaissance-faire/
https://www.aroundtheworldin24hours.com/new-york-renaissance-faire/
https://www.outdoorsy.com/guide/new-york-renaissance-faire
https://fairehistory.org/rjmlp-obitnyt.html
https://renfair.com/ny/the-faire/food/
All About The New York Renaissance Faire – ClassicNewYorkHistory.com ©2022
ClassicNewYorkHistory.com claims ownership of all its original content and Intellectual property under United States Copyright laws and those of all other foreign countries. No one person, business or any organizations is allowed to republish any of our original content anywhere on the web or in print without our permission.
