Don't miss the second annual Upstate Renaissance Faire this weekend
Visitors of the 2023 Upstate Renaissance Faire. The second annual event will take place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. (Photo by Dustin Genter of 5th Dimension Photography)
NORWICH — Hear ye! Hear ye! The Upstate Renaissance Faire is returning for its second year on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Chenango County Fairgrounds.
After a successful inaugural event last September, Upstate Renaissance Faire Owner and Organizer Heather Baker said they've brought on even more vendors and entertainers for this year's festival, while also working to keep admission prices low.
Admission for adults is $17, kids aged 6 to 13 is $5, and children 5 years old and younger get in free. Discounts are available for veterans and activity duty service members with a valid branch or government ID, as well as firefighters, police, EMS, and nurses with a valid agency ID.
Additionally, Baker said they've listened to vendor and visitor feedback from last year, and have made some adjustments and additions to the faire to make it even better.
"[We] received feedback on needing more shaded areas for patrons to get out of the sun and will have a covered dining area, as well as seating within the Great Hall. We have doubled the number of registers to help keep the early morning line moving," she explained.
"We held a debrief meeting with our vendors following the close of Faire last season and received some great feedback. We have worked on the behind the scenes details to meet those requests and to continue to improve on the things that went well. We have plans to continue improving and meeting our patron and vendor requests even more in the future. We’re also working hard on finding an online ticketing method, with hopes for next season."
Another popular request last year was maps of the faire, which have been crafted and posted on the Upstate Renaissance Faire Facebook page in anticipation of this weekend's festivities. Baker said performance areas will also have posted showtimes, and there will be road signs to help visitors navigate the fairgrounds.
The location will be broken into six performance areas, each with their own schedule of shows. In the Dining Tent, guests can enjoy traditional folk songs played on the Celtic harp by Matthew Schwarz at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
On the Sparrow Stage will be performances by Thimbleberry the Woodsprite, a storyteller of magical and obscure fairytales, at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Crimson Plume Stage will host Celtic Magic with David Greenwolf and Bella – "highly visual magic, theatrical storytelling, interactive comedy, and thrilling danger wrapped in a Celtic theme" – at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Also on this stage will be performances by the Sirens of Circe at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., as well as a show at 4 p.m. that may contain adult content, on Saturday and Sunday.
Haggs Hollow will have West Asian, North African, and Hellenic dance by the WANAH Dance Collective at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, there will be dance performances by the Happy Haggs at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Those looking for more excitement should check out the Grand Arena and Tournament Field. SCA Equestrian Demonstrations will be putting on a show at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day, with Silver Knights – Spur of the Moment Jousting performing at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day.
"A joust was our biggest request from patrons last season. This year we delivered and have the incredible Silver Knights Productions – Spur of the Moment Jousting company on board," said Baker. "Patrons will be treated to heart-pounding action that will keep them on the edge of their seats! Our gallant knights will challenge each other with spears, swords, and lances all from horseback and culminate in a jousting display and armored combat."
The Tournament Field will feature SCA Fencing and Heavy Fighting demonstrations throughout the day. Patrons should check their schedule board for details.
Part of the fun of attending a renaissance festival is the chance to dress up in costumes befitting of 1300 to 1600 A.D. England. Visitors are encouraged to get in the spirit of the faire by donning renaissance attire and entering the royal garb contest, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Tournament Field and judged by the King himself.
"The King will be making an appearance this year. Rumor is that he wishes to tour the shire and may be bearing small gifts for the people," said Baker. "His Majesty also plans to hold a garb contest on Saturday, where he will award the winner with tickets to attend faire on the following day."
Visitors to this year's faire can also browse the wares of a number of new and returning vendors, including Rabid Llama, Oberon Ocarinas, The Floral Guild, Forest House, Dragonfyre Distillery, Amer Skye Chainmaille, Kaylor’s Krypt, Fairy Doors by Denise, Windsong Acres, Montour Falls Tea Company, Country Crafts Woodworking, Merchant of Wheres, Goblin Worx Leather, Casa della Strega, Fortune Tellers Cove, Bone Witch Studio, The Midnight Glen, Upstate Entertainment Axe Throw, It’s Getting Dicey, Mark the Hat Man, Frost & Ember, A Little Herbal Shoppe, and many more.
This year's food vendors include All the Perks, Tuller’s Catering, Nina’s Pizzeria, Polkville Store, Sir Palmer’s Shack, Broad Street Tavern, Pepe’s Bar-B-Q, Freddy’s Rockin’ Lemonade, and Gramps Funnel Cakes Concessions.
A full schedule of events, vendor list, and map of the faire can be found on the Upstate Renaissance Faire Facebook page.
After a successful inaugural event last September, Upstate Renaissance Faire Owner and Organizer Heather Baker said they've brought on even more vendors and entertainers for this year's festival, while also working to keep admission prices low.
Admission for adults is $17, kids aged 6 to 13 is $5, and children 5 years old and younger get in free. Discounts are available for veterans and activity duty service members with a valid branch or government ID, as well as firefighters, police, EMS, and nurses with a valid agency ID.
Additionally, Baker said they've listened to vendor and visitor feedback from last year, and have made some adjustments and additions to the faire to make it even better.
"[We] received feedback on needing more shaded areas for patrons to get out of the sun and will have a covered dining area, as well as seating within the Great Hall. We have doubled the number of registers to help keep the early morning line moving," she explained.
"We held a debrief meeting with our vendors following the close of Faire last season and received some great feedback. We have worked on the behind the scenes details to meet those requests and to continue to improve on the things that went well. We have plans to continue improving and meeting our patron and vendor requests even more in the future. We’re also working hard on finding an online ticketing method, with hopes for next season."
Another popular request last year was maps of the faire, which have been crafted and posted on the Upstate Renaissance Faire Facebook page in anticipation of this weekend's festivities. Baker said performance areas will also have posted showtimes, and there will be road signs to help visitors navigate the fairgrounds.
The location will be broken into six performance areas, each with their own schedule of shows. In the Dining Tent, guests can enjoy traditional folk songs played on the Celtic harp by Matthew Schwarz at 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
On the Sparrow Stage will be performances by Thimbleberry the Woodsprite, a storyteller of magical and obscure fairytales, at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The Crimson Plume Stage will host Celtic Magic with David Greenwolf and Bella – "highly visual magic, theatrical storytelling, interactive comedy, and thrilling danger wrapped in a Celtic theme" – at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Also on this stage will be performances by the Sirens of Circe at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., as well as a show at 4 p.m. that may contain adult content, on Saturday and Sunday.
Haggs Hollow will have West Asian, North African, and Hellenic dance by the WANAH Dance Collective at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, there will be dance performances by the Happy Haggs at 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Those looking for more excitement should check out the Grand Arena and Tournament Field. SCA Equestrian Demonstrations will be putting on a show at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. each day, with Silver Knights – Spur of the Moment Jousting performing at 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. each day.
"A joust was our biggest request from patrons last season. This year we delivered and have the incredible Silver Knights Productions – Spur of the Moment Jousting company on board," said Baker. "Patrons will be treated to heart-pounding action that will keep them on the edge of their seats! Our gallant knights will challenge each other with spears, swords, and lances all from horseback and culminate in a jousting display and armored combat."
The Tournament Field will feature SCA Fencing and Heavy Fighting demonstrations throughout the day. Patrons should check their schedule board for details.
Part of the fun of attending a renaissance festival is the chance to dress up in costumes befitting of 1300 to 1600 A.D. England. Visitors are encouraged to get in the spirit of the faire by donning renaissance attire and entering the royal garb contest, scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Tournament Field and judged by the King himself.
"The King will be making an appearance this year. Rumor is that he wishes to tour the shire and may be bearing small gifts for the people," said Baker. "His Majesty also plans to hold a garb contest on Saturday, where he will award the winner with tickets to attend faire on the following day."
Visitors to this year's faire can also browse the wares of a number of new and returning vendors, including Rabid Llama, Oberon Ocarinas, The Floral Guild, Forest House, Dragonfyre Distillery, Amer Skye Chainmaille, Kaylor’s Krypt, Fairy Doors by Denise, Windsong Acres, Montour Falls Tea Company, Country Crafts Woodworking, Merchant of Wheres, Goblin Worx Leather, Casa della Strega, Fortune Tellers Cove, Bone Witch Studio, The Midnight Glen, Upstate Entertainment Axe Throw, It’s Getting Dicey, Mark the Hat Man, Frost & Ember, A Little Herbal Shoppe, and many more.
This year's food vendors include All the Perks, Tuller’s Catering, Nina’s Pizzeria, Polkville Store, Sir Palmer’s Shack, Broad Street Tavern, Pepe’s Bar-B-Q, Freddy’s Rockin’ Lemonade, and Gramps Funnel Cakes Concessions.
A full schedule of events, vendor list, and map of the faire can be found on the Upstate Renaissance Faire Facebook page.
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