LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Hear ye, hear ye!
Gather your friends and best old-timey costumes, because the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is back in town.
Mount Hope Estate will open for the Faire on Saturday, Aug. 17 and guests are encouraged to come hungry. Over two dozen Royal Kitchens serve traditional festival foods and specialty items including giant turkey legs, cinnamon bread, veggie tacos and more. The Shire Pourhouses serve Mount Hope Estate’s own beer, wine, cider and cocktails.
Attendees can also enjoy demonstrations and shopping in the village square with over 100 merchants. One of the main attractions is the many actors dispersed throughout the Shire who greet guests as if it were the 15th century.
"My biggest tip, if possible, is visit twice," Jonathan Handley, the Faire's assistant artistic director who represents Sir William Pickering, said. "There's so much to do in the 40-plus acres that make up Mount Hope."
"Things are going on from 11:30 in the morning until the final joust at 6 p.m. followed by the finale and song," said Candace Smith, the communications and sales director for the Pa. Renaissance Faire. "There’s something you can find for every taste."
The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire will open this weekend with a Fairies & Fantasy theme. It features a number of themed weekends throughout the season, some of which include: Pyrate Invasion, Viking Weekend, Oktoberfest, Halloween Days & Spooky Knights and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress up to match the theme, and the best costumes can win a contest.
There are three new stages for revelers to enjoy this season. The Sussex Crossing Stage will welcome a new puppet show, the Tree Top Stage is the place for bawdy shows and the Flying Dutchman Stage will show off new aerial acts.
In all, the 44th running of the event takes you back to the old to experience something new, in hopes of inspiring a little joy in those who visit.
"We love when people simply take joy with them. There's so much going on in the world right now, and there's different ways you can try to escape that, but we always like to say, this is our 40-plus acre playground. Come play with us," said Smith. "Take the day, take a breath and just take joy home with you."
To see schedules for each weekend and a map of the Shire, click here.
Date-specific tickets must be purchased ahead of time online; tickets will not be sold at the gate. The gates open at 11 a.m. Mount Hope Estate can be found at 2775 Lebanon Road in Manheim. The Faire runs every weekend until the event closes on Oct. 27.
Sir William Pickering helped the FOX43 Morning News at Nine crew close out Thursday's show:
