With two different Renaissance Faires under my belt (or my corset?) this season, I’m slowly becoming a Renaissance Faire aficionado.
Although the New York Renaissance Faires is located conveniently close to NYC, when people ask me which Faire is better, I say the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire without hesitation.
While doable as a day trip from New York, it can be one heck of a drive. I promise that it’s worth it, but I like to make the most of it by spending my whole day at the Faire.
Like many other Renaissance Faire, the PA Faire has a whole roster of events to entertain you throughout the day including stage shows, archery, axe throwing, and even a ring where you can fight your friends!
One of the things that I find unique about this particular Faire is that they have an overarching plot that changes yearly (and, as I recently found out- they have a Spooky plot that they perform for their final two weekends since they end close to Halloween).
Aside from the storyline events, there is a plethora of activities and shows to explore throughout the day, plus food, drinks, and shopping of course!
While many fan favorite shows from outside vendors such as the acrobats and bagpipers are similar year after year, many of the in house cast shows are replaced and refreshed every year so theres always something new to watch.
The Good
The Buildings
Permanent buildings are always a plus for me when I visit Renaissance Faires. It really adds to guest immersion in event. Walking down the main shopping area of the Faire really does feel like strolling through a marketplace! The stages are also gorgeous and there is always plenty of seating (although you’ll probably find yourself sitting on the grass for the always popular final joust).
The Food
There is a huge variety of food on offer from a ton of different vendors- plus there are a few carts that stroll around selling things like hot pretzels and pickles and things. Always a great snack to watch the ending revels with! Visitors are allowed to bring their own food, but it seems that most people are content to buy food on site.
The Drinks
I am always pleased with the selection of beers and wines on tap, not to mention the Absinthe Garden! Beers are $9, but you can pay an extra $7 and get it served in a custom mug or wine traveler- it’s a great deal!
I have a mug from the Oktoberfest weekend of my first visit, and saw a completely different version of the mug for the Viking Weekend of the following year. I can just imagine the collection of Faire regulars!
The Price
For only $34, this is an amazing deal for a full day packed with ever rotating entertainment.
The Joust
This joust is excellent! I could hear the actors super clearly, and they were an intrinsic part of the Faire’s storyline. I also liked that there were character actors whos job it was to rile up the crowd and also cue us when to cheer for our knights- sometimes its hard to tell when we’re winning!
I will say that the knight’s fighting choreography on foot was a little slow and poorly acted, but it hardly matters when the crowd is screaming for blood!
The final Joust is, frankly, unmissable. Even if you havent been paying attention to the plot, theres a little in-character recap to catch you up just in time for the fight to the death and full-cast battle. I was not expecting the fireworks and pyrotechnics on my first visit and was blown away!
The Plot
The fact that this Renaissance Faire has a storyline is by far my favorite thing about it
The main plot moves forward throughout the day through a series of specific scripted events (noted on the Faire schedule), but you’ll also find actors roaming around the property looking to draw you into in-character conversations about the event. Its a lot like LARPing.
Visitors don’t have to participate, of course, but it’s a lot more fun if you do!
Music
This Faire has singing tucked away in every corner. In addition to the scheduled shows, I’ve stumbled over groups singing tucked away in pub corners, ‘busking’ on the market streets, and even as pre show entertainment. The final performance of the Faire is even a Pub Sing A Long, where all the actors gather on stage at the end of the day and sing folk songs- some traditional, some that seem written by the actors themselves.
Parking
Parking is free and located in a big grassy field. Its a bit of a walk to the front gates, but flat and pretty doable even in costume. I imagine that it’s pretty miserable trying to exit after the final joust, but I always wait to leave until after the final Pub Sing A Long and I always exit smoothly and easily.
THE BAD
The Time Commitment
I’m not sure that this counts as a negative per say. It’s funny to say something like, “sorry, this Faire is so good it’s disappointing to miss a single second?” but I will say that the first time I followed the plot around and I didn’t have much time for browsing the shops and when I spent most of my time shopping on my second visit, I was disappointed that I wasn’t able to see much of the plot.
You should really try to go for a full weekend to get the full experiences, which of course, means paying for two admission tickets. Its not the end of the world, but its worth noting that even casual visitors will probably notice missing out on one thing or another.
The Location
If you’re staying for the full weekend, odds are you’ll need a play to stay and the location in rural Pennsylvania doesn’t allow for much nearby accommodation. Anticipate staying at least 30 minutes away in a pretty basic hotel. From New York City, you’ll be spending 3 hours on the road in each direction, and possibly even more depending on traffic.
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