festivals Royal Revelry

Visit the world of kings, queens, knights and more at the popular Ohio Renaissance Festival held each fall in Warren County.

Costumed royalty presiding over a 16th-century English village greet visitors who come to the annual Ohio Renaissance Festival dressed as courtly knights, fair maidens and even steampunk fairies.

“We keep it period appropriate, but the patrons have added that variety,” says Dave Ashcra , managing partner of the festival, which runs on weekends between Sept. 2 and Oct. 29 in Waynesville.

One of the largest events in Warren County, the festival a racts up to 280,000 visitors each year, and it is still growing.

e festival also o ers a variety of themed weekends including Viking Weekend (Oct. 7–8) featuring the bagpipes of the tribal Sco ish band Albannach and Tricks or Treat Weekends (Oct. 28–29) when kids under 12 get in for free and festival vendors join in the trick-or-treating.

A recent expansion o ers a new shaded area that allows whimsical exploration for kids. It also features a new arena where the Cincinnati Barbarians combat group safely duels in glinting armor with real swords.

A endees can peruse hand-bound books, leatherwork and clothing available for purchase from the artisan vendors and relax and listen to live music in St. Peter’s Chapel before heading to a daring acrobatic show.

“Some people come for the shopping, some people come for the entertainment, some come for the pure atmosphere,” Ashcra says. 10542 Ohio 73, Waynesville 45068, 513/8977000, renfestival.com — Jenna Nahhas