Sterling Renaissance Festival facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sterling Renaissance Festival
Two knights on armored chargers attempt to unseat one another in this jousting expostion at the Sterling Renaissance Festival.
Genre	Renaissance fair
Dates	July - August
Location(s)	Sterling, New York
Inaugurated	1976
Attendance	100,000 (average)
Stages	9

The Sterling Renaissance Festival is a fun Renaissance Festival held in Sterling, New York. It has been running since 1976. Each year, it opens for seven weekends during July and August. Visitors can enjoy music, comedy, and interactive theatre shows. They can also see and buy amazing items made by artisans and craftspeople.

In 2020, the festival was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It returned in 2021.

Step Back in Time: The Festival Setting

The festival takes you back to the year 1585. It's set in a make-believe village called Warwick. This village is built on a wooded hillside and has many permanent buildings, some with two floors. The story is that the village is holding its annual festival.

Meet the Royal Court

Queen Elizabeth I herself is said to be visiting the festival! She comes with her court, including famous historical figures like Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake. These royal ladies and gentlemen perform shows, such as a human chess match. They also host "Tea with the Queen" and chat with visitors.

The Villagers of Warwick

The entire village comes to life with a cast of actors called the Wyldewood Players. They used to be known as the Bless-the-Mark Players. These actors dress up as all sorts of villagers, like gypsies, pirates, and washer-wenches. They walk around the festival grounds, making up scenes to entertain everyone.

Performers and Parades

Many other costumed entertainers are at the festival. You can see Renaissance musicians, bagpipers, illusionists, jugglers, sword-swallowers, fortune-tellers, and funny comedy acts. Twice a day, all the performers join a parade through the festival. Each evening, the festival ends with a fun pub sing where everyone is invited to sing along.

Exciting Jousting and Games

At the bottom of the hillside, there is a special field for jousting. Here, knights on horseback have full-contact jousts. You can also watch amazing archery displays. On Highland weekend, they even have Highland games, which are traditional Scottish sports. For a small fee, visitors can even ride the powerful war-horses used by the jousters!

A view of the Sterling Renaissance Festival grounds.

Festival Attractions

The Sterling Renaissance Festival offers many exciting things to see and do.

Live Stage Shows

The festival has a paid cast, the Wyldewood Players, who put on many shows. There are also musicians, acrobats, acting groups, sword-swallowers, and comedy acts. Roving players walk around and interact with visitors, making the experience even more immersive.

Handmade Arts and Crafts

Like most Renaissance Fairs, Sterling has many talented artisans and craftspeople. You can watch glass-blowers, blacksmiths, bookbinders, and potters create their work. Other shops sell leather goods, costumes, weapons, custom shoes, walking sticks, musical instruments, jewelry, toys, and wooden items.

Fun Games to Play

There are also many games of skill you can play for an extra fee. These include archery and axe-throwing. A popular game is "Tomato Justice," where you can throw ripe tomatoes at a person! Other games include the Ladder of Truth and the Pillow Fyte. Several rides powered by people are also available.

Delicious Festival Food

You can find many different foods at the festival. Popular items include large turkey legs and shish-kabobs. There are also vegetarian options like portobello mushroom sandwiches and fresh fruit. The Rose & Crown Tavern serves drinks, including mead, and offers meat pies and bacon-wrapped scallops.

Special Themed Weekends

Each weekend at the festival has a special theme. This theme often influences the story acted out by the villagers. Past themes have included Family Appreciation Weekend, Marketplace Weekend, Ale Fest Weekend, Highland Fling (with Scottish music and games), Pirate Invasion, Romance Weekend, and Fantasy Weekend.

"Lost Warwick" Online Series

In 2020, when the festival was canceled, the creative director Gary Izzo and the cast made an online story. It was a six-episode series called "The Legend of Lost Warwick." The story followed the main characters of Sterling as they tried to plan for the Queen's visit. But then, the whole village mysteriously disappeared! New episodes were released weekly, and previous ones could be streamed online. The show also featured artisans, musicians, and stage shows from the festival. All the money raised went to help Renaissance performers and crafters.

Amazing Performers

The Wyldewood Players are the oldest full-time professional acting group at any Renaissance Festival. They play the Queen, her court, and all the villagers. Their shows include The Queen's Tea, Her Majesty's Daily Diversion, and a daily Publick Execution. Gary Izzo, their creative director, has over 30 years of experience with interactive theatre. He has even worked with Disney theme parks. He also wrote books about interactive theatre.

Other regular acts at the Fair include: