2021 Renaissance Festival Fun For All Ages

2021 Renaissance Festival Fun For All Ages

After COVID-19 restrictions forced the 2020 Bay Area Renaissance Festival to close early last season and shuttered many shows across the country for the past year, the theme for the 2021 Bay Area Renaissance Festival was, “We can’t wait to celebrate!”

This was a sentiment expressed by patrons, “playtrons,” vendors, and cast members alike, as many of the traveling cast sat home last year, waiting, hoping, and, indeed, praying for the pandemic threat to be mitigated.

Standing atop a neatly stacked tower of chairs, preparing to juggle fire, one of the fan-favorite returning performers, Ichabod Wainwright, daredevil master of the “Wheel of Death,” expressed that eager sentiment this way: “When there’s a pandemic happening, and your job description is ‘gather people close together in large groups and encourage them to scream,’ well… you’re fired.”

Wainwright was not the only Festival performer excited to be back on stage. It’s been more than a year since the color-coded tumblers Acrobellum performed their signature mix of slapstick humor and awe-inducing acrobatics for a live audience. The troupe was clearly excited to be back dazzling audiences with their feats of skill, strength, and agility.

All across the Festival grounds, guests browsed wares offered by more than 100 artisans; cheered brave knights and high-flying daredevils; tapped and clapped to live music; shared bawdy belly laughs with washerwomen, escape artists, and muddy thespians; met unicorns and mermaids; rode elephants, and indulged in the signature mix of fun, fantasy, artistic excellence, athletic prowess, and mead-flavored frivolity that makes a Renaissance Festival an annual must-go for millions across the country.

After last year’s program was cut short, this year’s Festival almost didn’t happen at all. To make good on that old theater truism, “The show must go on!”, organizers had to secure a new location, contract vendors and performers, then get the word out to faithful fans and new patrons alike. They did. Fans flocked to the temporary new digs at Withlacoochee River Park near Dade City. Sure, it looked and felt a little different, but the show did “go on,” and countless thousands were once again happily transported back in time to a magical, mystical, whimsical, and memorable rendering of the Renaissance.

PHOTOS

“Lady Rayka” (Rosalie Purvis) from the Equus Nobilis Joust company gallops into position to make another pass. (Photo by Adam Porter)

Acrobellum’s “Teal” and “Red” perform as “Pink” (and the audience) cheer them on. (Photo by Adam Porter)

A couple who came ready for Festival fun. Vendors and visitors alike wore outrageously colorful and imaginative costumes. (Photo by Bob Sanchez)

Everyone smiled at the Festival, including the pretty pickle purveyor. (Photo by Bob Sanchez)

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Set Sail with Your Pups to The Bay Area Renaissance Festival

Set Sail with Your Pups to The Bay Area Renaissance Festival

Anchors aweigh! The Bay Area Renaissance Festival invites you to bring your furry friends and Pirates Best to Pirates and Pups Fest weekend, February 29 – March 1.

Piper’s Valley, the Festival’s special event area, will feature Pet Vendors and Competitions including the Pet Costume Contest and Weiner Dog Races. Local Rescues will also be set up, giving patrons a chance to find a furry friend of their very own.

Back by popular demand this year is Ultimate Air Dogs. Watch as dogs of all sizes participate in a high-flying, Dock Diving Championship.

This weekend marks the first of two Pirate Themed Weekends. Dress to impress for a chance to win prizes during the Perfect Pirate Competition or test your skill in a game of Swab the Deck.

Test your puzzle solving skills to escape the Castle in the All New Escape Room. Play Viking Games, learn about Viking Lore or watch the Viking Battles in the All New Viking Encampment. Get your picture taken in the Pit of Misery or become a Dungeon Master during Dungeons and Dragons Free Play.

Kegs N Eggs will be returning to the grounds of the Bay Area Renaissance Festival this April. The event will feature Craft Beer Tastings, Food Trucks, Live Entertainment and an Adult Egg Hunt! Search the grounds of the Bay Area Renaissance Festival for your chance at more than $75,000 in Prizes. More information is available at www.KegsnEggs.com

The Bay Area Renaissance Festival is a first-class experience whose 42nd Season began on February 15, 2020 and ends on March 29, 2020.  The Festival is open weekends and Friday March 27 from 10 am – 6 pm rain or shine.  Admission at the gate: Adults $22.95; Children 5-12 $14.95; four and under are free! Discount tickets are available at participating Circle K locations or online at www.BayAreaRenFest.com.

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