It was a chilly mid-40s at the event fairgrounds of Waynesville, Ohio.

It was the first weekend this season that I traveled with my winter jacket on.

The entrance to the event was easy to find, following route 73. From one car to another, the entry point was getting crowded as hundreds of visitors patiently followed signs and directions to the parking space. The influx of people was expected for this annual fest that is considered one of the biggest events in the State of Ohio.

At 11 AM on a Saturday, I excitedly entered the gates of “16th century England”. The birth of modern civilization immediately came alive right before my eyes. There I was at the Ohio Renaissance Festival!

I was met with a huge crowd of excited people eager to explore — I thought we were packed like sardines in a can when at one point I could not even move forward as everyone stopped, stared, and checked whatever surprise each display booth had to offer. I checked the park map I grabbed at the entrance gate for the schedule of performances. I saw that there were many platforms scattered around the festival grounds for the various shows — I counted 14. I chose the stage nearest the entrance. As I was looking around, I realized that the 30-acre location was actually a recreation of the 16th century English village. All structures that sprawl the landscape — castles, huge pirate boats, medieval houses — were built permanently in the park! I thought that was a great idea so they do not have to build them every year. With how the structures were built meticulously with style and stability, it could take sometime to construct each one.

Costumed characters were many. Not only the performers and vendors were playing roles, but many of the visitors too. As a matter of fact, other visitors took the festival by heart. One lady told me that she and her family always attend the event in full medieval attire.

There were popes, princes and princesses, kings and queens, nobles and peasants, captains of ships, angels and demons.

Like any other renaissance festival, there were a number of art and craft shops. Vendors were eager to give anyone a demo on how to create beautiful artwork from glass, or mugs from horns.

There were sword balancers, ball jugglers, fire throwers, tight-rope walkers, singing comedians and poets, and other entertainers with death-defying acts who made certain that everyone was smiling, or laughing, or holding their breaths in awe. To say it briefly, there was no shortage of historical fun at the fest.

And the best entertainment of them all? It was the full-armored jousting tournament. It was real hitting! Men fully dressed as knights on horseback tried to unhorse each other as they met at the center with their lances. Here, I saw lances broke and men fell hard to the ground. I heard that riders got bruises and cuts from joining the jousting.

There were ohs and ahs and loud cheers as the victorious knight was proclaimed.

I have seen renaissance booths at an Arts Fest in South Dakota. I have watched renaissance theater shows at the Renaissance Arts Faire in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Both, however, fell short to awaken and fully excite my interest in the renaissance era. This event in Waynesville, Ohio was far different. It was nothing but amazing compared to the previous renaissance fests I have experienced. This one emanates realness and sense of time travel.

What is most remarkable about the event was that everyone seemed to be fascinated about the renaissance era. There was a group of young adults watching a renaissance play, Shakespeare style. I admit that I still get confused understanding Shakespeare’s complex writing structures. But the young audience in that play seemed to fully comprehend Shakespeare’s English.

I spent a good three hours at the fest.

My lunch was enormous! I had this 8-pounder beef burger they said it’s German style. Believe it or not, as I walked around, all I could smell was food. There was roasting of giant turkey legs, brewing soups and stews, roasting corns on cobs. Of course, there were fine ales and wines!

The Ohio Renaissance Festival is a two-month long event. Everyone should experience this if you happen to be in Ohio in September and October. If you have kids, dress them up. Also, there are plenty of rides for kids to enjoy.

Address.

10542 East State Route 73
Waynesville, Ohio 45068
Link to Google Map

Admission Fees and Ticket.

I suggest that you buy the tickets online to save a lot of time queuing at the ticket booths.

Online & Ticket Booth Pricing:
Adult (ages 13+) – $23.00 (Opening Weekend Adults are Buy One, Get One Free)
Child (ages 5-12) – $9.50 (Tricks or Treats Weekend Children are free)
Seniors (ages 65+) – $21.00 (Ticket Booth Only)
Military/Police/Fire/EMS – $21.00 (Ticket Booth Only)
Adult Season Pass – $60.00

Other Attractions Nearby

1. Check out Kentucky’s Newport Aquarium

2. See Purple People Bridge

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