Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire 2010

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire finds a home each fall on the beautiful grounds of the Mount Hope Estate and Winery. This year will be 30^th year for the Faire with each year getting bigger and better.

Renaissance festivals are a great way to teach children about history and other cultures and the Pennsylvania has always done an exceptional job including children.

New this year at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is the Children’s Discovery Area. This area for children will include a play stage, a music area, areas dedicated towards play and a giant chess game.

Check out everything, including games, rides and activities the faire has for children at the Children’s Activities Booth. Two of the most popular theme weekends for children at the faire are Pyrate (Pirate) Weekend and Children’s’ Fantasy Weekend.

Irish, Scottish and German theme weekends will also be held during the festivals run.

For a list of all the theme weekends and the dates go to www.parenfaire.com .

Renaissance festivals are part entertainment, part craft show and part food. Explore the world of fantasy with artists and craftsmen offering costumes, accessories, jewelry, toys, herbs and more all woven around the 16^th century, unicorns and fairies. Two of my favorite shops are; the Bee Folks offering all sorts of bee products and a working bee hive display and Imaginarium featuring amazing hand sculpted puppet creations.

Food choices are many and there is something for every taste. Scotch eggs are a real treat; hard cooked eggs encased in sausage, rolled in bread crumbs, and then deep fried.

Bison burgers, pierogies and authentic apple strudel are among my favorites. Look for tasty treats from this century including pizza, tacos and ice cream sundaes, and while not authentic, they are fun.

Mount Hope Estate and Winery is the home of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and samplings of their wines and excellent mead (honey wine) can be found throughout the day at the Bacchus Retreat Tavern. The first time I ever tasted honey mead wine was at the festival and I have been a fan ever since.

Entertainment is everywhere and includes performances on the stage and strolling entertainers throughout the grounds. Musicians perform with traditional instruments playing music from the period that will whisk one back in time. Don’t miss the jousting tournaments and the human chess match is too much fun.

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is located on the Mount Hope Estate and Winery, 2775 Lebanon RD., Manheim, PA. The phone number is 717-666-7021. The faire opens August 14 and runs weekends, and Labor Day until October 31.

Adult tickets online are $24.95 and at the gate or by phone $29.95. Children’s tickets are $9.95. The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire offers two tickets for the price of one on August 14 and 15 and on Labor Day September 6. Season passes are also available and with so much to see and do, this may be the best way to go. Visit the website for all the details www.parenfaire.com .