Hear ye! Hear ye! Grand adventure and rousing revelry await you at a renaissance fair! And the wondrous state of Georgia offers a variety of festivals to attend.
Georgia Renaissance Festival – Located approximately 20 miles southwest of Atlanta in Fairburn, Georgia. This fair will be held weekends and Memorial Day April 14th – June 3rd from 10:30 am – 6:00 pm. Tickets will be $17 for adults, $15 for seniors ages 60 and older, $8.50 for kids ages 6 – 12, and free for children ages 5 and under. Parking will be free. Those wishing to dress in costume must keep weapons sheathed and peace-tied, and will not be allowed to carry broadaxes or spears. Wedding and private event packages are available. Theme weekends include Seniors Weekend when visitors ages 60 or older can buy one senior ticket and get one free, Scots and Kilts Weekend which will feature performances by the world renowned Atholl Highlander Pipe and Drum Band and sheep dog demonstrations, and Celebrating Spain Weekend with the addition of special Spanish foods and piñatas. Younger guests can enjoy the children’s Play Kingdom and petting zoo. Fascinating and educational demonstrations include glassblowing, the traditional renaissance art form of hair braiding; and Leonardo Da Vinci’s Drop Hammer Forge, the first industrial machine. Thrilling jousting tournaments, daring acrobatic shows, majestic birds of prey, alluring music, and more will entertain all ages. Merchants will be offering diverse high quality goods as well as delicious foods and drinks. More information is available on their website at http://www.garenfest.com.
Savannah Scottish Games – Located in Savannah, Georgia. This celebration of the Scottish culture will be held Saturday May 3, 2008 at the Bethesda Home for Boys. Tickets will be approximately $10 for adults, $5 for students ages 12-18, and free for kids ages 12 and under. Parking will be free. Visitors can watch competitions in heavy athletics such as stone throwing and weight tossing, highland dancing, and pipe bands as well as listen to traditional Scottish music. Kids will have an opportunity to try pint-sized athletic activities as well. The marketplace will be offering Scottish foods, musical instruments, jewelry, books, woolens, kilts and other Highland clothing. For additional information, visit their website at http://www.savannahscottishgames.com.
Tybee Island Pirate Fest – Located approximately 18 miles east of Savannah in Tybee Island, Georgia. This festival will be held October 5th – 6th starting at 6:00 pm on Friday and 3:00 pm on Saturday. Blazing cannons mark the beginning of the fair when pirates will invade Tybee in search of the Mayor and the “key to the city.” Victorious, the pirates will celebrate with live entertainment featuring Blues Traveler, Atlanta Rhythm Section, and more. On Saturday the successful invaders will hold a victory parade during which they will spread their wealth of trinkets and doubloons among the crowd. The Thieves Market will be selling valuable plunder as well as hearty foods and stout beverages. More information can be found on their website at http://www.tybeepiratefest.com.
Aye, there be a little something for everyone. Whether your tastes run to traditional medieval, Scottish culture, or boisterous piratical merrymaking you’ll find it at a renaissance fair in Georgia!
