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A di erent realm realm
New Renaissance Festival of Central Florida is up to the challenge of entertaining crowds. of entertaining crowds.
STORY: CHRIS GERBASI
Renaissance fair regulars have three simple tips for fi rst-time visitors:
Don’t miss the jousting competition.
Be sure to watch the human chess match.
Buy a turkey leg and eat it.
Otherwise, no plan is needed. When the Renaissance Festival of Central Florida makes its debut this month, guests can stroll the grounds of the “kingdom” and take in the unusual sights and sounds of another place in time. The fi ve-day event runs from 10am-11pm April 7-8 and 13-15 at 31600 Camp Challenge Road in Sorrento. Renfest, as it’s called, is a fundraiser for the host site, Camp Challenge, which
is an Easter Seals camp for special-needs simple tips for fi rst-time visitors: children and adults. Don’t miss the jousting competition. Tickets range from $21 for a one-day pass
Be sure to watch the human chess match. to $200 for an all-access pass and can be
Buy a turkey leg and eat it. purchased at renfestcfl .com. Free admission is
Otherwise, no plan is needed. When the offered to any special needs guest who is, was, Renaissance Festival of Central Florida makes or could be a Camp Challenge camper, and its debut this month, guests can stroll the the festival fully complies with the Americans grounds of the “kingdom” and take in the with Disabilities Act. unusual sights and sounds of another Festival executive director Jim Boyle place in time. anticipates up to 30,000 people will enter the The fi ve-day event runs from world of adventure, fantasy, period music, and 10am-11pm April 7-8 and performers in the “Realm of Doolan.” Jim says 13-15 at 31600 Camp “doolan” is Gaelic for “challenge,” which is Challenge Road in fi tting given the locale. Sorrento. Renfest, “We have crafted the story to make Doolan a as it’s called, is a tremendously special place, so special, in fact, that Queen Elizabeth I has decided to have her coronation in 1559 in the Realm,” he says. The Realm includes fi ve kingdoms, each with its own iconic attraction and themed
pub. Vendors, games, activities, entertainment, food, and beverages will be at each kingdom:
• The Royal Kingdom includes the Village Green home of the Revelers Mainstage, the Joust Arena where valiant knights joust for the queen’s favor, a Birds of Prey exhibition, a giant chessboard with multiple live combat shows, as well as the queen’s coronation.
• The Kids’ Kingdom has a bounce house, petting zoo, camel rides, puppet show, and kid-friendly stage shows.
• Viking Kingdom will house the weapons training area, where the festival’s Vikings train guests in axe and knife throwing, bow and arrow, and other traditional combat. This area hosts the Norse Pub, where guests can hear live Viking and traditional Norwegian music all day.
• The Pirate Kingdom is home to the Privateer Pub, often frequented by Blackbeard, Captain Jack, and mermaids. The pub features live pirate and nautical music provided by local musicians.
• Fantasy Kingdom is where all the nonhuman creatures reside, and is home to the iconic Dragon Encounter, the Fairy Forest, and the Unicorn Encounter.
The Dragon Encounter is a “live” life-size dragon in a set built to look like a dragon’s cave, Jim says. The attraction is hosted by one of Her Majesty’s Royal Knights and built so the dragon and knight can safely engage with guests as they ask questions and take photos.
Acts such as sword fi ghters, jugglers, acrobats, fi re eaters, strolling musicians, comedians, and bawdier acts like the Medieval Madams represent the “last vestige of the vaudeville circuit,” says talent director and performer Arthur Rowan. (See the full lineup at renfestcfl .com.)
He recruited about two dozen acts to fi ll six stages, along with street musicians and volunteers to portray inhabitants of the town so visitors feel like “wherever they go, they’re in a living, breathing kingdom that they can play in,” Arthur says.
Arthur and his wife, Kelly Morris Rowan, will perform a musical act and as street greeters. As an actor who appeared in the “Spamalot” national touring company, Arthur says nothing quite compares to renaissance fairs.
“I’ve had the privilege of performing before very large crowds,” he says. “And far and away, the best thrill I get is from fairs because you’re performing in front of the crowds and the performing in front of the crowds and the audience is right there.”
That connection between patrons and That connection between patrons and performers makes everyone feel welcome, and performers makes everyone feel welcome, and each day is fresh and spontaneous, Arthur says. each day is fresh and spontaneous, Arthur says.
“It’s a place where anything could happen— “It’s a place where anything could happen— in a good way,” he says.
This new fair will light up the night at 7pm on This new fair will light up the night at 7pm on two Saturdays, April 7 and 14. Electric Renfest two Saturdays, April 7 and 14. Electric Renfest will include lights, fi re acts, electronic dance will include lights, fi re acts, electronic dance music, and VIP experiences geared less toward music, and VIP experiences geared less toward the family and more for adults, Jim says. the family and more for adults, Jim says.
He’s optimistic about the success of the He’s optimistic about the success of the inaugural event.
“The Central Florida area has and “The Central Florida area has and attracts some of the best talent attracts some of the best talent worldwide,” Jim says. “Our goal is to worldwide,” Jim says. “Our goal is to bring a totally immersive experience bring a totally immersive experience to our guests no matter where they to our guests no matter where they are in the fair—whether they want are in the fair—whether they want to hit as many stage shows as they to hit as many stage shows as they can or just sit in one place and can or just sit in one place and watch ‘what happens next’ in watch ‘what happens next’ in our streets.”
— JIM BOYLE
Stock Island, FL
Islands you can drive to
STORY: MARY ANN DESANTIS
Almost everyone daydreams about vacationing on an island. However, expensive airfares have made fl ying a nightmare for families—not to mention the hassle of packing your favorite beach gear into suitcases. Luckily, Florida has many beautiful islands accessible by vehicle. So, load up your snorkeling gear, beach umbrellas, and economy-size containers of sunscreen. And, of course, swimsuits will be needed at these less-crowded destinations that offer a lot more than just surf and sand.
FLORIDA KEYS: STOCK ISLAND
Since 2001, my husband and I have owned a timeshare on Key West’s north side overlooking Cow Key Channel, a quiet narrow strip of water surrounded by mangroves, and the only sound we hear is the buzz of Jet Skis. Rather than heading to the overcrowded, overpriced touristy restaurants on Duval Street, we cross back over the bridge to Stock Island, where we fi nd some of the best seafood in the Keys. Seriously, we spend more time there than we do on Duval Street.
Stock Island is also home to the Key West Tropical Forest & Botanical Garden, which began as a Depression-era tourist attraction.
