Maryland Renaissance Festival, 1821 Crownsville Rd, Annapolis, MD.

Dates and Hours: Open weekends from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., August - October. Check their web site for current dates.

The Festival is a perfect family outing, in easy reach from both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Come early, for a full day of fun awaits!

A Brief Background

The Maryland Renaissance Festival has become the regions premier outdoor event and the second largest Renaissance Festival in the country. Since the Festivals first season as a ramshackle village in 1977, the event has matured into a large theme show with more than 1,300 participants and 280,000 guests per season.

The Festival employs more than 600 people during each season, working in entertainment and customer service. Eighty-five acres of parking space handle an average of 14,700 customers daily. The English Tudor village is 25 acres of woods and field that transport patrons to an era of chivalry, bawdiness, and good fun. There are more than 130 craft shops displaying many wares handmade by the village artisans. Forty-two food outlets provide a feast of foods rarely seen at other festivals. Each season, more than half a million beverages are served at the Festivals eight soft drink stands, five beer stands, and five taverns.

More than a single business, the Festival attracts thousands of tourists and tour groups to the region. The Festival has twice been recognized by the American Bus Association as one of the 100 best events in North America. US Department of Commerce figures show that special events generate $2.40 in the local economy for each $1.00 spent at the show. An exit poll reveals an extremely satisfied customer base with 99.6% saying they will return the following year.

The Festival, more than a fun event of entertainment, food, crafts, and attractions, is a success that has exhibited continued growth without compromising customer satisfaction.


What is the Faire?

The Festival is a recreation of a 16th century English village, named Revel Grove, and is set on a beautiful 25-acre wooded site with 85 acres of free parking. The village consists of craft and food booths, five pubs, ten major stages, a Jousting Arena and lots of games.

Every day is a Festival Day in Revel Grove, in honor of a visit by Henry VIII and his Royal Court. As such, the village will have entertainment, crafts, food, and frivolity fit for a king!

The gates open at 10:00 am, but youll want to start the day with the Kings Welcome outside the front gate at 9:45am. Once inside the gates, you may want to check your program for a listing of all the shows, but part of the fun of Festival is taking your time to stroll through the lanes and let the experience unfold before you.

Pause for a moment to listen to a musician. Watch a demonstration of glass blowing. Quench your thirst with a mug of ale and whet your appetite with a gigantic turkey leg. Pick up the latest gossip from the fishmonger. Thrill to the combat joust and then browse through the wares at one of the many fine craft booths. There is too much to do in a single day!

Performers from across the North America entertain on the Festivals many stages while the streets and woods are filled with characters to amuse and delight. Watch authentic jousting in full armor, listen to music and choral groups, thrill at jugglers, magicians, and comely wenches. Our streets and stages are filled with nonstop entertainment for all ages.

Shops, displaying the finest crafts and works of art, invite you to see their wares. Stained glass, sculptures, original jewelry, pottery, wood-butchery, leather-work, inlay, clothing, glass-blowing, original prints, and soft sculpture are but some of the artistry displayed.

Enjoy the shops and shows while sampling the feast of foods the Festival has to offer. Games of chance and skill are at every turn of the Festival. Free pony rides, a free childrens activities area, a maze, and archery are only some of the offerings for fun for all ages.



Because the Festival is located just minutes away from historic Annapolis, visitors from all across the US will find that the Festival can be part of a wonderful vacation adventure. Spend a day or two at the Festival, then visit Annapolis, Baltimore, and Washington. Do not miss the chance to experience the wonderful Maryland seafood and hospitality.


Free Activities for the Wee Lads and Lassies

The Festival is pleased to provide a variety of entertainment especially for your children. Visit Customer Service Pavilion on arrival to receive the daily -Childrens Program- which will list activites and shows suitable for younger children.


Rides:
Our ponies are located near the Fortune Stage.

Childrens Knighting Ceremony:
11:30 and 1pm at the Royal Pavilion. Due to the Kings hectic schedule, he is only available to perform knightings for 1/2 hour.

Childrens Theatre and Sing Alongs
Each year the festival produces a short theatrical piece for younger children.

Juggling School:
Located near Royal Stage. Children and adults can learn to juggle free.

Childrens Play Area:
A childrens Play Area is located near the climbing wall at the end of Marys Dale Way.

Auditions

Auditions for the Acting Company will be held in May/Jun. They will be by appointment only. For more information, please use the link on their web site actors - Professional Companies.

Costume Rentals

The Festivals "Renaissance Rentals" Costume Rental Booth is open to all who visit us on any fair day.


Village Rules
Please note and observe our rules of the village:

* No pets.
* No rainchecks.
* No weapons (costume or real).
* Patrons are welcomed to wear costumes suitable for a family-friendly atmosphere to get into the spirit of the event!

Visiting Tips

* At the entrance to the Festival you will receive a guidebook with a map. The map is not very easy to follow so if you have questions ask someone in costume. You will see people in costume everywhere and most are friendly and helpful.

* Look at the schedule and plan to attend the jousting. These demonstrations are only offered a few times a day so if you do not plan ahead you may miss it.

* Come hungry and enjoy the food. There is lots of variety and the prices are reasonable.

* Relax and enjoy some of the shows. Be aware that you can not see them all in one day, so plan accordingly.

* Spend some time people watching. It is fun and interesting to watch the costumed characters roaming the village and the craftspeople at work.

>City(s) = Crownsville; State(s) = MD; Country = USA.
>Title = Maryland Renaissance Festival, Crownsville, Annapolis, MD, US - Video.
>Keywords = Maryland Renaissance Festival, Crownsville, Rd, Annapolis, MD, Baltimore, Washington DC, ourtripvideos, our, trip, videos, crlapindfrn, ramshackle village, English 16th century village, Revel Grove, Jousting Arena, Henry VIII, Royal Court, glass blowing, woods jugglers, armor, music, Free pony rides, Wee Lads Lassies, Childrens Knighting Ceremony, Auditions, Costume Rentals (112)
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