JOUSTING, JESTING, JUST FOR YOU!
SOMETHING FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES AT THE ROYAL FAIRE
Longing for childhood days of make believe? Mythic heroes slaying dragons, sea maidens appearing from the sea, steel clad warriors jousting atop mighty steeds and damsels in distress, this can all be found at the Arizona Renaissance Festival. There is something for the children and the child in all of us to be found at the Faire.
Arizona's annual festival is one of the largest in the nation, held on Saturdays and Sundays in February and March in its fanciful European style village constructed on a 50-acre site just below the foothills of the Superstition Mountains, east of Phoenix and northwest of Tucson. This is where you’ll find theater, circus, an arts and crafts fair, acrobatics, a jousting tournament, people-powered rides, and feasting – all rolled into a non-stop, day long adventure!
Merchants hawk their wares, selling everything from clothing to custom ceramics. Observe in awe at the demonstrations displaying skills of blacksmithing, jewelry making, glassblowing, leather work and pottery throwing. Over 200 artisans are housed in the market lanes filled with whimsical storybook shops.
There are sixteen open-air stages where you can listen to raucous music and roaring comedy. Catch the swordplay and wordplay of festival favorites Don Juan and Miguel. It’s hard to miss the wild antics of The Tortuga Twins (three unrelated men in tights), and more than amusing to decipher Zilch the Tory Steller (the misspelling, like his miss-speaking is intentional). On or off the stage you are bound to meet delightful characters. Don’t miss Adam Crack-30-time whip cracking Guinness World Record holder!
Just for YOU!
Jesting
A variety of food and drink is available to satisfy your appetite; bread bowls, stews, steak-on-a-stake, roasted chicken and so much more. In the midst of this enormous feast, you'll find the King of festival foods - the delicious roasted turkey leg. Tempt your diet plan with desserts from the Bakery, the Cappuccino Inn, or the Chocolate Shoppe. Pubs serve beers, wine, and soft drinks to quench your thirst.
And kids love this place! Dozens of activities bring out their smiles. Guests young and old will revel in the magic and mystery upon seeing the varied attractions at the Faire; Living Mermaids, witness the wonder of these lovely, elusive and charming sea fairies. A Festival favorite with children is Mother (and Father) Goose brought to life, with costumed ducks and geese, Maggie, Mimi and Matilda. Kids will cheer for their favorite knight at the 5,000-seat jousting arena or try their hand at archery. Children delight in the return of a falcon, the King of sports, at the Falconer’s Heath. Kids also love riding the people powered Da Vinci’s Flying Machine, the Swan Swing,’ the Voyage to the New World, the Slider Joust, as well as, the Dragon Tail Slide, and Piccolo Pony; a rocking horse bigger than an elephant. In addition to the people-powered rides, the festival offers interactive games like the Castle Walls climbing tower, the castle siege, Jacobs’ Ladder, a maze and an archery range. Kids will surely be asking for a hat, wand, garland, wooden sword, shield, or to have their face painted, or to make a sand dragon, or perhaps purchase a pet gorgi or drabbit along with other unique and interesting items available for purchase at the festival. Those bolder of heart may feed the dragon or play King of the log.
HUZZAH!
Are you ready to escape to the amusements of a much simpler time?
QUICK INFO:
WHAT: The 34th Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace
WHERE: 12601 East US Hwy 60 DIRECTIONS: Arizona Renaissance Festival (renfestinfo.com) WHEN: February 5 – April 3 (Saturdays, Sundays, and Presidents’ Day Monday February 21) HOURS: 10AM until 6PM, rain or shine.
TICKETS: Children under 4 are always free.
Tickets purchased at the Festival Day of Show are $30 for adults 13 years and above and children 5-12 are $20. Senior discount tickets (60 and over) and Military (i.d. required) are $27 and only available at the Festival Box Office.
Tickets are available online at Arizona Renaissance Festival (renfestinfo.com)
Save $1 on tickets at Bashas’ and Food City in advance. Parking: FREE courtesy of Bashas and Food City INFO: Call 520-463-2600
WEBSITE: www.Arizona.RenFestInfo.com
