The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Fair is set in the fictional English village of Merriwick during the Elizabethan era. It offers a rich and diverse program featuring various kinds of entertainment, including joust and battle performances, sword fighting demonstrations, comedy, live music, an artisan marketplace, delicious food and drinks, costumed characters, and more.
The Realm of Skilled Artisans at the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire offers an impressive selection of unique handmade items. Here you can find clothes, drinkware, jewelry, leatherware, gifts and collectibles, metalware, weaponry and armor, toys, shoes, and other unique items.
The artisan marketplace also features various games and activities for kids and grown ups, from archery and sword fighting lessons to henna tattoos and tarot readings. And if you get hungry, you can indulge yourself with Renaissance fair staples (turkey legs, sausages, meat pies), desserts, refreshing drinks, and delicious meads and ales for those who are 21 or older.
The entertainment program of the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Fair features numerous acts performing non-stop throughout the entire day. Comedians, musicians, singers, dancers, knights, jugglers, jesters, acrobats, fire breathers, puppeteers, actors, swordsmen, magicians, storytellers, and other performers amaze attendees with their talent and keep them entertained.
The fair also features costumed characters who interact with fair-goers and create a unique and unforgettable atmosphere. They include villagers, pirates, knights, the Romani, and the Noble Court and Household of Queen Elizabeth I.
Like most other Renaissance festivals, the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire hosts themed weekends to make things even more interesting. For example, the 2017 themed weekends included A Midsummer’s Night Fantasy, Festival of Fairies, and Pirates, Plunder and Arrhhh!!
Photo: Thor Hanks
