Michigan Renaissance Festival: Step Back in Time
Feast of Fantasy a Ren-Faire with Medieval Fun and Entertainment
The 2008 Michigan Renaissance Festival is a medieval fantasy fair that takes place from August 16 through September 28. The 2008 Feast of Fantasy takes place on weekends plus Labor Day Monday. The Michigan Renaissance Festival has been delighting crowds with a taste of the16th century for 30 years.
The renaissance festival is a great way to get outside and enjoy leisurely entertainment. Stroll the grounds and enjoy the immersion into the event that is part history and part fantasy.
Festival grounds are roamed by a cast of 200 professional actors, actresses and musicians in authentic costume. Queen Elizabeth I and Her Majesty's Royal Court stroll the grounds and mingle with guests at this interactive event. Enthusiastic patrons get into the act and come dressed in period costumes. Mingle with royalty, knights, court jesters, peasants, bawdy wenches, faeries, belly dancers, wizards and fooles.
The Michigan Renaissance Festival features armored knights that clash as they race across Upson Downs Joust Field on horseback. Entertainment includes dancers, comedians, musicians, jugglers and more.
The festival is set on a 15 acre village. The market features 195 merchants selling authentic period merchandise, hand crafted jewelry and unique goods. Stroll the marketplace. Grab a bite of tasty fair food, have a thirst quenching drink and revel in abundant medieval entertainment.
Theme Weekends
Each weekend has a different theme, giving the fair a unique flavor for festival patrons. Following are the theme weekends for 2008:
- August 16 - 17 - Arabian Knights. Arabian themes includes the Michigan State Traditional Middle Eastern Dance Competition, which is also known as the Belly Dance Competition. The Second Annual Longbow Competition. is also the Royal Archery Tournament.
- August 23 - 24" Highland Weekend. Scottish theme with US Canadian International Highland Games and Bagpipe Blowout.
- August 30, 31 and Labor Day, September 1: Buccaneer Beer Fest. Labor Day Weekend is celebrated with a Beer Fest. On August 30 at 11 am there is a 50/50 Bike Run. The bike run benefits the "Michigan Veterans in Need of Help and Michigan veterans Trust Fund.
- September 6 - 7: Wine, Romance & Song. Michigan Winery Tasting with Pentamere Winery and Lone Oak Vineyard Estate. The romance weekend features free vow renewals.
- September 13 -14: Wonders of the World. Pet Fest. Pet weekend features pet rescue groups, pet safety and nutrition, pet activities training and pet food vendors. The Michigan Renaissance Faire is pet friendly every day.
- September 19: International Talk Like a Pirate Day!
- September 20 - 21: Shamrocks & Shenanignans. Beer Baron Brewing Brawl.
- September 27 - 28: Sweet Endings. 8th Annual Chocolate Festival with free samples.
Feast of Fantasy and Festival Food
The special feast features food fit for a Queen. the feast features a delightful menu with appetizer, salad, soup, sorbet and main course. The main course is Herb encrusted pork loin with side dishes. Chocolate raspberry lava rush is a luscious dessert.
Plainer festival fare includes hearty meat pies, sandwiches, turkey legs, baby back ribs, prime rib sandwich and many other tasty treats. Festival food can be found at booths and eaten while strolling the lanes.
Pet Friendly Festival
Pets are welcome at the Michigan Ren-Faire. There are pet costume contests daily on the weekends between August 16 and September 28. Dress up the dog as a princess, jester, clown, begger or character of choice. Bring Fido to or Fifi to join the fun. A registration form, which is availble on the festival website, must be filled out befoe the pet is allowed on the grounds. There is a $10 admission fee for pets.
Location and Ticket Information
The Michigan Renaissance Festival is in Holly, Michigan, between Pontiac and Flint. Holly is about 55 miles northwest of Detroit. Holly, Michigan is about a four hour drive from Chicago, Illinois.
The village opens at 10 am and closes at 7 pm, rain or shine. Tickets are $18.95 for adults, $9.94 for children (5-12) and free for children age four and younger. Parking is free. For additional information, see the official Michigan Renaissance Festival website.
For another Michigan festival, see Michigan State Fair is America's First
