Michigan Renaissance Festival facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michigan Renaissance Festival |
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A jousting reenactment at the Michigan Renaissance Festival
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| Genre | Renaissance fair |
| Dates | August - October |
| Location(s) | Holly, Michigan |
| Inaugurated | 1979 |
| Attendance | 240,000 (average) |
| Area | 312 acres (126 ha) |
| Stages | 16 |
The Michigan Renaissance Festival (MIRF) is a super fun outdoor event! It's a Renaissance fair that lets you step back in time. Imagine visiting a make-believe English village called Hollygrove. This village is set during the time of Queen Elizabeth I in the late 1500s.
Many people who visit the festival dress up in amazing costumes. You might see nobles, pirates, Vikings, wizards, and all sorts of fantasy characters walking around. The festival also has lots of exciting shows. You can watch juggling acts, thrilling sword fighting shows, and even three full-contact jousting shows every day! There are also games and activities for kids of all ages. The festival is owned by Mid-America Festivals.
Did you know? The 2008 movie All's Faire in Love was filmed right here at the Michigan Renaissance Festival!
Discovering the Festival's Past
The Michigan Renaissance Festival first opened its doors in 1979. It started near Clarkston, close to I-75 and Dixie Highway. In 1985, the festival moved to a new, bigger location. This new spot has about 100 acres (40 ha) of land.
About 30 acres (12 ha) of this land has been developed for the festival. Around 15 acres (6.1 ha) of that is inside the "village" walls where visitors can explore. The festival grounds include two large parking areas, two lakes (Horton Lake and Walton Lake), and some wetlands. The village was named "Hollygrove" to honor the nearby Holly Township, Michigan and Groveland Township, Michigan. Over the years, many permanent buildings and stages have been built. The festival has grown steadily and now welcomes around 250,000 people each year!
The festival was canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But it was back in 2021, ready for more fun!
Stepping into the Renaissance World
The festival works hard to make you feel like you're truly in an English village from the past. They even recreate the social classes of that time! The people who work at the festival are divided into groups based on their character's social standing.
- Highest Class: This group includes Queen Elizabeth I herself and her royal court. These are the nobles and knights.
- Middle Class (Upper): Next are important people like the mayor, clergy (church leaders), wealthy middle-class citizens, and visiting royal guests.
- Middle Class (Working): This group includes merchants and tradesmen. These are characters who have jobs in the village.
- Lower Class: This group includes farmers, beggars, pirates, actors, and gypsies. They add to the lively atmosphere of the village!
