The Ohio Renaissance Festival Review

The Messy Family took a trip to Waynesville Ohio Saturday, October 13^th to visit The Ohio Renaissance Festival. It was just over an hour drive for us and it was well worth it. I was so much more excited than Mr. Messy. He just didn’t see the appeal of taking the girls there. I guess he had no clue what it was all about.

 

The Ohio Renaissance Festival is a permanent village set on 30 acres in Waynesville Ohio. Every year starting Labor Day weekend and for 8 weekends total it’s open. I was lucky enough to attend this awesome event when I was a teenager and have wanted to go back ever since. For some reason though it took more than 15 years for me to return. The Festival is filled with people dressed as if they were in the Renaissance times. They are not to break character and I noticed several visitors dressed up also.

 

The girls were totally excited to be going to a real kingdom with a real King, Queen and of course Princess. The first thing that happened when we arrived was Diva and I ran, and I mean we booked it, to the bathrooms. Which were my least favorite part of the Festival, so much so that I avoided it for the rest of the day. I can imagine though that the port-o-potties that they provided were much better than the bathrooms in the medieval times.
  

The village is basically made up of shops, food stops, rides and games. They do have stages with shows also. Almost everything cost money, so if you plan on attending make sure you bring plenty of money for admission and for a full day of fun and shopping. I can’t see how anyone could make it through the Festival without buying a souvenir or 2. The food prices were equivalent of what you might spend at any festival or amusement park.

 

 

 

We brought the stroller with us for FB. Although, I ended up carrying her the entire time while Drama or Diva sat in the stroller. I figured we had it with us, someone might as well get some use out of it. The stroller wasn’t a problem at all. With plenty of room to walk around, even with as many people that were there, I didn’t feel as though I would run into the back of anyone or get stuck in a crowd of people.

The show that we watched was pretty entertaining. It had action, a sword fight, and it was funny. The actors were very much in their element and had everyone belly laughing. There were plenty of other shows going on throughout the Festival but this was the only one that we sat down to watch. There is so much to do at The Renaissance Festival and just1 day is not enough time!

 

My favorite part of the Festival was the rides. With my children at the age they are, I love to watch them laugh and smile, as I’m sure any other parent does. I love the fact that these rides did not operate on electricity but by humans. That’s right, see the pictures below as the swings are being turned by 2 men. The men seemed to very much enjoy their roles and the kids liked them even more. I was a little put off when one of the ride workers tried to charge me for the infant I had in a baby carrier. I decided I wasn’t paying the $3 he wanted to charge me for her since I was getting on the swings only to help Drama and Diva pull the rope to swing. He did turn around and let me get on without paying for her.
 

Trying to find your car in the field parking lot, with no land marks, was a challenge. We were not the only family walking around hitting the panic button for our car. It took probably an extra 10 minutes to find our car than it would have to just walk to it. I honestly thought at one point in time that there was no way we were going home that night.

 

 

 

Even with a few minor issues I LOVED the Renaissance Festival this time just as much as I did over 15 years ago. I think it’s a great time for people of all ages! There was a wedding that took place while we were there and of course we got to meet royalty! The girls had an absolute blast and keep talking about it non-stop. My husband who did not understand the excitement I had for this trip now wants to make this a yearly outing. I am only about an hour away, so that’s doable for sure. Some of you who may be farther away may see a problem with this. I do think that you should make the trip at least once in order to find out just how awesome it is though! You may be surprised and find yourself planning family vacations to make it here on a yearly basis.

If you visit http://www.renfestival.com/, the official website for the Renaissance Festival, you will find:

Prepare thyself for a non-stop, day-long adventure!

Queen Elizabeth and over 150 costumed characters invite you to this 30-acre re-created 16th Century English village where you can enjoy over 400 years of fun in a single day! Featuring nearly 100 shows daily on 11 stages, over 135 unique arts and crafts shops, hearty food and drink fit for Kings, games of skill and human-powered rides to amuse all ages, the Ohio Renaissance Festival offers something for everyone!

Join us for a time traveling experience your family won't soon forget!

 

 

I recommend the Ohio Renaissance Festival to all familes

and think that you should make plans to attend the

2013 Ohio Renaissance Festival