The Castle of Muskogee facts for kids

The Castle of Muskogee is a fun place in Oklahoma. It's a big fairground located in Muskogee. This town is about 135 miles east of Oklahoma City. It's also 55 miles southeast of Tulsa. The Castle hosts many exciting events all year. These include the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival, a Halloween Festival, and Castle Christmas. It also holds the Boares Head Feast. This special place started from an old warehouse and the land around it.

The Castle's Story

The Castle of Muskogee was built by Jeff Hiller. He moved his fireworks store to the old Muskogee Elks Lodge. More buildings were added over time. The idea for The Castle of Muskogee really grew when a Renaissance fair was held there. The popular Halloween festival started in 1996.

What You'll Find at The Castle

The Castle of Muskogee helps promote arts and culture. It is a non-profit organization. This means it uses its money to support its goals, not to make a profit. The fairground covers 37,000 square feet.

On busy weekends, 8,000 to 10,000 people visit. You can also rent the castle for your own special events. An Oklahoma collector provides many inflatable decorations. These are displayed along a half-mile road at the fairground.

The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival

The Renaissance Festival happens every May for five weeks. About 600 artists and performers gather there. They dress in amazing, old-fashioned costumes. The festival has 15 stages across 30 acres. There are also 40 acres for parking.

The festival is set in the year 1569. This was when Queen Elizabeth I ruled England. Its main area is Castleton Village. This 13-acre space is where most merchants sell their goods. You can even rent a costume at a shop on the fairground. The festival did not take place in 2020.

The Halloween Festival

The Halloween Festival is held every October for five weeks. It takes place in Castleton Village. There are 11 different attractions to enjoy. It takes six weeks to set up the fairground for Halloween. Then, it only takes four days to take everything down. In 2015, a new attraction called Zombie Hunt! was added.

Other Fun Events

• Castle Christmas: This event happens every year. The castle grounds are lit up with over 2,000 lights.
• Castle Zombie Run: This fun run takes place every September.
• Boares Head Feast: Held every November, this event offers a four-course meal. It also includes exciting entertainment.

The Castle of Muskogee also sells fireworks. You can buy them for the Fourth of July and New Year's Eve holidays.