Maryland Renaissance Festival

The Maryland Renaissance Festival has so much to see and do it's hard to decide where to start. That is where the two day pass ($28) comes in handy or better yet the Fairever Pass, ($80) allowing entry every day the festival is open.

The Maryland Renaissance Festival draws visitors from a four state area and to get a close parking spot it is best to arrive early. Visitors arriving before the gates open are treated to King Henry VIII and his court riding up to the gates and commanding the gates to be opened and the festivities to begin. Once inside the walls, take time to look at the schedule of events and attractions to plan the day. Some shows are scheduled throughout the day, while others are a one time only show. The shows, times and locations are listed, and a well planned day will eliminated disappointment from missing a show.

The artist and crafters and their works are amazing and reasonably priced. They are featured throughout the park and are fun to check out between shows. Leather mugs,

throwing knives, 16^th Century clothing and accessories, silver jewelry, buzzard sculptures, fairy wings, and princess crowns are just a few of the handmade crafts offered.

The Maryland Renaissance Festival is user friendly for handicapped, seniors and families. There is seating everywhere one goes and part of the fun is watching other visitors in wonderful costumes walking by. Then there are the strolling performers; magicians, jugglers, musicians and mimes. We especially enjoyed the Ladies of the Court walking on stilts.

No matter where you are at the festival there is the food and people eating. The food is wonderful and reasonably priced. A smoked turkey leg ($5.00) is a must, and wherever one looks someone is eating one. After that the choices are endless, from steak on a stake,

to lasagna, egg rolls, bar-b-que, fried Oreos, oysters, hot dogs, chocolate covered strawberries, soft pretzels, cheesecake on a stick and a croissant ice cream sundae($4.00) that is as big a child's head (well almost). The list goes on; too many foods to mention. There are also four locations serving alcohol, including mead, a traditional honey wine, beer, and ale.

There is jousting at the arena, and a human chess match between King Henry VII's daughters Elizabeth and Mary. There are sword fighting and comedy shows. Check out the Men in Tights Show, audience participation and very funny. Musical shows, and plays that are a takeoff on Shakespeare, shows for kids, and shows that are PG. There is something for every taste and age.

The Maryland Renaissance Festival runs weekends 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. until October 25. The Festival is located just south of Annapolis in Crownsville, Maryland. Parking is free.Admission is $18.00 for adults, $15.00 for seniors 62 years and older and $8.00 for children under 12 years. The festival goes on rain or shine.