Preview: Minnesota Renaissance Festival
Renaissance Festival Grounds
3525 145th St W
Shakopee, MN 55379
(952) 445-7361
renaissancefest.com
New Events for 2012
Exciting new events and themed weekends have been planned to make this year's fair the best yet. Some of the new events include a fairy house competition where all attendees are invited to take place in a contest to design and display their own fairy houses. The houses will be judged by real fairies with discount tickets and prizes for participants. Another new feature is the weiner dog races during pet weekend where Dotsons compete for prizes. Additionally, historic cooking demonstrations will be available with instruction from Alice the Cook. Alice will be sharing techniques and recipes used during the Renaissance period.
If you're not sure which weekend you want to visit during the festival, go during a themed weekend. The themes planned are:
- August 18th and 19th: Italian Carnivale and Pet Fest
- August 25th and 26th: Royal Ale Fest
- September 1st, 2nd and 3rd: Silk Road and Discover the Riches
- September 8th and 9th: Highland Fling
- September 15th and 16th: Wine, Chocolate and Roses
- September 22nd and 23rd: Oktoberfest
- September 29th and 30th: Shamrocks and Shenanigans
Popular events that are coming back this year include:
Live Jousting
The Medieval sport of kings is a main attraction at the fair. Armoured knights mount their steeds to demonstrate jousting as it was in the 16th century. The jousting event takes place three times a day during the duration of the festival.
Turkey Legs
One of the most popular food items at the fair is the turkey leg. Festival-goers can be seen roaming the festival with a turkey leg in hand. Although there is a large variety of Medieval foods to be sampled at the fair, the turkey legs are the delicious treat that truly capture the spirit of the Renaissance.
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Elephant Rides
The Renaissance Festival welcomes many animals to the fairgrounds, always a favorite attraction for both adults and children. There is an interactive petting zoo filled with farm animals and birds. More exotic animals can be seen as well. Elephants, camels and llamas are saddled up to offer rides.
Children's Crafts
There is an entire area of the festival dedicated to children called Cartwheel Cove. This area contains crafts including wandmaking as well as balloon animals and kid-friendly entertainment. King Henry appears daily to knight any children who wish to become knights of the fair.
Entertainment
The festival is loaded with entertainment. Many of the fairgoers themselves dress up and speak in the Old English that is associated with the Renaissance. In addition, there are wandering dance troupes throughout the grounds and stages situated around the fair for scheduled performances.
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