There's something magical about time travel. Even if you don't have a TARDIS or magic ring, you can still travel back to the Renaissance by visiting your local Renaissance Festival. We were lucky enough to explore the Ohio Renaissance Festival, located on 30 acres, this past weekend - and what fun we had! Running weekends each year from September through October, this festival is a joy to experience and it'll take you back to 16th century England. You'll love perusing the shops, seeing the jousting, watching classic theatre - in the mud!, laughing, eating, and taking plenty of photos. Take a look at my photo essay, Renaissance Festival A-Z, but for now, please take a stroll with us through the loveliness that is the Ohio Renaissance Festival.

Let's go!

In case of questions...

One of my favorite parts was the Jousting...

The Good Queen

And near the end of the jousting, the Silent Knight went to see the Queen. He had chosen a lady to favor, and wanted to honor her with his win, as traditions tell. BIG SURPRISE: it was an extremely creative marriage proposal! Take a look!

The artists that had shops scattered throughout the Renaissance Festival were fantastic...

One of the artists at the Ren Fest created a giant Treebeard 

Leather mugs

Chainmail closeup

Glassblower

Cleverly carved staff

One of hundreds of interesting leather journals

Daggers galore

Glass garden floats

And to pay for it all? Access thy Money!

ATM

The Queen's Singers at St. Peter's Church, singing Dona Nobis Pacem

Graveyard humor

Mermaid!

Arrgh...

In which a jester hides...

Street scenes show happy visitors, colors, and talent galore...

Signs to help you find your way

The King's Nuts

The Theatre in the Ground had a muddy and surprising production of Beowolf...

The costumes were amazing: 

A flowerpot hat

How does he sit down? 

The black plague?

Need accoutrements for your costume? 

Cloaked in Shadows - what a perfect name! And isn't that cloak the best?

You can always wear THIS costume...

Our favorite part, though, was the human combat chess. It was presided over by the Queen, and we had great ringside seats (tip: get there early!). The two guys in front of us, part of the show, were hilarious with their running commentary. 

Of course, what is the 16th century without dragons?

And the Tower of London:

Learn more:
http://www.renfestival.com/

All photos courtesy and copyright Wandering Educators

Originally published fall 2015, updated 2017