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 super fun event that takes you back in time! It happens every year at the Mount Hope Estate and Winery in Manheim, Pennsylvania. Imagine a lively English village from the 16th century, filled with knights, queens, and jesters. This exciting fair runs for 13 weekends, from early August through late October.
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A Journey Back in Time: History of the Faire
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire began in 1980. It started as a small, two-day jousting festival. This first event was held in the winery's parking lot. People loved it so much that it quickly grew bigger and better!
What You'll Find at the Faire
By 2009, the Faire had become a huge event. It covered 35 acres of land. Each day, there were 90 different shows on 12 stages. Hundreds of actors dressed up as characters from the 16th century. You could explore a village that looked just like an old English town. It even had real Tudor-style buildings!
The Faire offers lots of entertainment. You can enjoy live music and exciting plays by William Shakespeare. There are also many other fun acts to watch. If you get hungry, there are 23 "Royal Kitchens" serving food and drinks. You can also find unique items from Renaissance merchants.
The Faire During Challenging Times
In 2020, the 40th season of the Faire was a bit shorter. This was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It ran for nine weeks instead of the usual 13. But don't worry, the next year, the 41st season returned to its full 13-weekend schedule. It was back to full capacity, welcoming everyone!
Why People Love the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is very popular. Its music and storytelling have received special recognition. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has praised the Faire's performances.
In 1998, the Faire was named one of the top 100 events in America. This award came from the American Bus Association. This shows how many people enjoy visiting the Faire by bus tours.
How Popular is the Faire?
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is a very well-attended event. It draws about 250,000 visitors on average each year. This makes it one of the largest Renaissance festivals in the United States.
In 2008, American Renaissance festivals were much bigger than those in Europe. The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire was highlighted for its high attendance. Other large fairs include the Maryland Renaissance Festival and the Bristol Renaissance Faire. These events also attract hundreds of thousands of visitors.
See also
- Jousting
- List of open air and living history museums in the United States
- List of Renaissance fairs
- Reenactment
- Renaissance fair
- Society for Creative Anachronism
