ALTA, W.Va. – If you’re looking for a historical-themed weekend escape to delight the senses, head over for a misty mountain hop to the Greenbrier Valley – and hit the wayback time machine to the West Virginia Renaissance Festival.
Built around historic themes, the Ren Faire rolls every weekend in June. Produced by Hanlon-Lees Action Theater and Hollow Hills Farm, the WV Ren Faire includes all medieval things wylde and wonderful. Held from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., every Saturday and Sunday in June, the WV Ren Faire brings this beautiful Farm of rolling hills and massive stones, to life as a medieval village complete with eight stages of music and merriment from jugglers and jokesters to shows with birds of prey, aerialists, Shakespearan-style actors and world-class acts like the famed bell artists of Cast in Bronze, which has performed at Walt Disney World’s Epcot from 1998-2003, for the Mass of Pope John Paul II in Central Park in 1995, and even with Alice Cooper at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix.
Stroll the sprawling grounds of hills (Elvenwood), Brocelands, The Cloisters and Enchanter’s Grove. And make your way through the main town where you’ll run into the Royals at the Pavilion, plenty to eat, drink and to entertain – and the center of it all – the Joust Arena with daily shows: Act 1: Joust A Plaisance at 12:30 p.m.; Act 2: Joust of Competition at 3 p.m., and Act 3: The Joust to the Death at 5:30 p.m.
Enjoy strolling characters, play interactive medieval games, meet and support artisans from around the country, ride a unicorn or a camel, meet a mermaid, bow to the queen, visit a petting zoo, play ye olde Rat Toss, get your hair braided, shoot archery, throw axes, see a dragon, learn of the trades and crafts of yore, and feast upon everything from turkey legs and scotch eggs, to fish and chips, pierogies, and traditional fair foods and local fare from such well-known SWV companies as Swift Level Fine Meats.
The Fair’s family friendly, but folks can also savor some locally-made grog (beer, Meads, ciders and wines) from such folks as Hawk’s Knob, Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company, and Mountain Dragon Mazery. And there’s even a guided daily Pub Crawl of the shire’s four pubs filled with bawdy jokes and a complimentary souvenir glass.
Upcoming themed weekends are:
Pirate’s Landing: Saturday and Sunday, June 15-16. Ahoy, there be pirates ashore! Wear your best (or worst) pirate costume for the 4 p.m. Costume Contest. Don’t miss shows and shenanigans down at (Faire Harbor) the sunken pirate ship at the lake. Family package special: admission for a family of four $38.
Vikings Valhalla and WV Beer Celebration – Saturday and Sunday, June 22-23. It’s a Viking invasion! Wear your best helmet and mail for West Virginia craft beer tastings and a Viking costume contest.
Time Travelers and WV Wine Tasting: Saturday and Sunday, June 29-30. Go back in time with the WV Renfest and try out West Virginia wines. Or try on a costume from any period for the past to future costume contest!
Hollow Hills Farm is located just a stone’s throw off of I-64 (at Exit 161) at 23439 Midland Trail East, Lewisburg, WV 24901. Admission is $18; Children 6-12: $8 and kids Under 6: Free.
Find out more information about the West Virginia Renaissance Festival by calling
304-992-6178, by emailing [email protected] or by exploring online at www.facebook.com/wvrenfest and https://www.wvrenfest.com/
