Bad Links?
Other glitches?
Notify Webmaster

Renaissance Festival kicks off this weekend

By BEN NELMS
bnelms@TheCitizenNews.com

It will be like taking a step back into medieval history. And each step on the grounds of the 20th Annual Renaissance Festival in Fairburn should prove as unique as the festival itself.

The festival will run eight weekends beginning April 16 and 17 through June 4 and 5. Events will also be held Memorial Day, May 30. Hours of operation will be 10:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

The Renaissance Festival features an endless variety of entertainment opportunities and culinary possibilities. Events include a medieval amusement part with people-powered rides, a 10-stage theatre offering non-stop entertainment, a jousting tournament, a parade and haunted attraction and a cast of nearly 1,000 costumed characters, including strolling minstrels, jugglers, magicians, dancers, multi-cultural entertainment and, of course, jousting knights.

Thom Sellectomy will swallow swords and Dextre Tripp will balance on a flaming rope. Adults can try the Assault Catapult, a device that propels the stalwart participant high in the air like a human slingshot. And that lofty ascent can be appreciated at the Birds of Prey Show.

Back on the ground, the young and young-at-heart can be dazzled by magician Blackenshear the Curious and Jana Lee, view the Parrots of the Caribbean, experience graveside humor at the Ded Bob Show, withstand the wonderment of the Wishing Well Wenches and hang out with the animals at the Children’s Petting Farm.

Visitors can also take a bit of 15th century history home with them. Selections will be available at the 32-acre market featuring more than 150 artisans selling wares that include glass goblets, handmade perfumes, hand-turned pottery, leather goods and demonstrations by nationally recognized artisans of fine weaving, blacksmithing, coin minting, glass blowing, pottery and jewelry.

And then there is the food, all kinds of food. Not the least of which are the now-famous roasted turkey legs, more than 40 tons of which are served annually during the festival and more than 1.2 millions pounds consumed since the first Renaissance Festival. Some of the featured delectables include sesame chicken on-a-stick, gazpacho, lobster rolls, chicken wraps and taquitos. Then there is the King’s Weinie and the pinnacle of 15th century European culinary art, macaroni and cheese on-a-stick. Rounding out the festival’s edible offerings is a new and mysterious delicacy, “Pigs Wing.” Who said pigs couldn’t fly? And after consuming the digestible portions of the 15th century, visitors might want to top a perch at the new Tavern on the Hill to sip a cool drink and watch the festivities.

Each weekend will host a different theme, beginning April 16 and 17 with 2-4-1 Grand Opening Weekend (buy one adult ticket, get one free). April 23 and 24 will feature Renaissance Weekend, followed by Scottish Highlands Weekend on April 30 and May 1 and Mother’s Day Weekend May 7 and 8. Kids Free Weekend (one free child admission, 12 years of age and under, with each full paid adult) will be held May 14 and 15, followed by Romance Weekend featuring Singles Saturday on May 21 and 22. The festival will celebrate the Memorial Day weekend with the 20th Anniversary Weekend, May 28, 29 and 30. Final Weekend festivities will be held June 4 and 5.

Event organizers said regularly priced tickets, including tax, are available at the festival box office. Adult tickets are $15.95, seniors 55 and older or those with AARP cards pay $12.95, children ages 6-12 pay $7.50 and children five years and under get in free.

Discount admission are available on-line at www.georgiarenaissancefestival.com or at Kroger (excluding 2-4-1 weekend) with a Kroger Plus Card. The Renaissance Festival grounds are located on SR 74 just north of U.S. Highway 29 in Fairburn.