Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire |
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| Genre | Renaissance fair |
| Dates | August – October |
| Location(s) | Rapho Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania |
| Inaugurated | 1981 |
| Attendance | 250,000 (average) |
| Area | 35 acres (140,000 m2) |
| Stages | 15 |
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is a fun event where people pretend to live in the time of the Renaissance (about 500 years ago!). It happens for 13 weekends, from early August to late October. You can find it at the Mount Hope Estate and Winery in Manheim, Pennsylvania. The Mount Hope Estate became a winery in 1980.
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What is the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire?
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is a special event that brings history to life. It's like stepping back in time to a 16th-century English village. You can see knights, queens, and many other characters from the past.
How the Faire Began
The first Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire was a small, two-day event. It started in 1980 as a jousting festival in the winery's parking lot. People loved it, so it grew bigger and bigger over the years.
What You Can See and Do
By 2009, the Faire covered a large area of about 35 acres. Each day, there were 90 shows on 12 different stages. Hundreds of actors dressed in amazing costumes. The Faire even has a recreated 16th-century English village with real-looking Tudor buildings.
You can enjoy musical performances and plays by Shakespeare. There are also 23 "Royal Kitchens" serving food and drinks. Many merchants sell unique items from the Renaissance period. The Swashbuckler Brewing Company, which started in 2000, also has a pub on the grounds.
Recent Faire Seasons
In 2020, the 40th season of the Faire was shorter because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It ran for nine weeks instead of the usual 13. However, the 41st season in 2021 returned to its normal length and full capacity.
Why People Love the Faire
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire has received many compliments. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources praised its music and storytelling. In 1998, the American Bus Association named it one of the top 100 events in America for bus tours.
How Popular is the Faire?
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is a very popular event. It attracts a large number of visitors each year. For example, in 1998, the former owner mentioned that the total sales for all events at Mount Hope Estates, including the Faire, were around $4 million. The Faire's expenses were about $2 million.
Compared to similar events in Europe, American Renaissance festivals are often much larger. The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is known for its high attendance. Other large festivals include the Maryland Renaissance Faire and the Bristol Renaissance Faire.
See also
- Jousting
- List of Renaissance fairs
- Reenactment
- Renaissance fair
