Renaissance Fairs in Ohio

Hear ye! Hear ye! Spirited adventures and diversions await you at a renaissance fair! And in the state of Ohio there are a number to attend.

Ashville Viking Festival - Located approximately 22 miles south of Columbus in Ashville, Ohio. This fair will be held one weekend in late April in 2008 from 10 am - 5:00 pm. Parking and admission will be free, although they do ask that a food item be donated to the Ashville Food Pantry. Those who wish to dress in costume will need to keep weapons sheathed and peace-tied. No alcohol will be sold or permitted. This event will feature Viking re-enactors encamped in a living history area, engaging storytelling, beautiful music, hilarious comedy, astonishing magic, and much more. Visitors can enjoy games of chance and skill and shop several vendors offering period foods and beverages, clothing, jewelry, leather goods, and many more items. More information can be found on their website at http://www.ashvillevikingfest.com or their Myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/vikingfestival.

Medieval and Renaissance Faire - Located in Columbus, Ohio at the South Oval of the Ohio State University Columbus campus. This fair will be held the first Saturday in May 2008 from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. Parking and admission will be free. Visitors will enjoy several talented performers providing enchanting music, riotous comedy, thrilling sword fights, and more. Artisans will be selling finely crafted clothing, swords, candles, incense, and jewelry. Additional details are available on their website at http://cmrf.org.ohio-state.edu.

Great Lakes Medieval Faire and Marketplace - Located approximately 49 miles northeast of Cleveland in Geneva, Ohio. This fair will be held weekends July 7^th - August 12^th from 10:00 am - 7:00 pm. Parking will be free. Tickets will be $18 for adults, $6 for kids ages 5 - 12, and free for children ages 4 and under. Those wishing to dress in period attire must keep weapons sheathed and peace-tied. Pets are allowed with a submitted Pet Registration form, which is available on their website. Special features include themed weekends such as Arabian Knights, Midsummer Knight's Dream... A Medieval Fantasy, Celtic Celebration, Pirate Invasion, Roman Holiday: Toga, Toga, Toga!, and Oktoberfest. Visitors can watch exciting jousting, comedy shows, music, a dramatic living chess match, and much more. Merchants will entice with delectable foods and drinks, toys, bath products, jewelry, art, clothing, leather goods, candles. For more information, visit their website at http://www.medievalfaire.com.

Ohio Renaissance Festival - Located approximately 33 miles south of Dayton in Harveysburg, Ohio. This fair will be held weekends September 1^st - October 21^st and Labor Day from 10:30 am - 6:00 pm. Parking will be $2. Tickets will be $17 for adults, $10 for kids ages 5 - 12, and free for children ages 4 and under. Those who choose to dress up will need to keep weapons sheathed and peace-tied. This fair offers Student Days on September 26^th - 27^th from 9:00 am - 2:30 pm and wedding packages. Special features includes themed weekends such as Two for One Opening Weekend, Kids Free, Pirates, Romance, Oktoberfest, Celtic Dreams, Harvest Festival, and Pleasures and Treasures. Stages throughout the village will showcase nearly 100 performances daily for young and old. Vendors will be selling many handcrafted items as well as delicious refreshments. More details are available on their website at http://www.renfestival.com.

Southeastern Ohio Renaissance Faire - Located approximately 80 miles east of Columbus in Cambridge, Ohio at the Cambridge City Park. This 14^th - 17^th century themed fair will be held September 22^nd - 23^rd from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm. Parking and admission will be free. Those who wish to dress in costume will not be allowed to carry firearms and should keep weapons sheathed and peace-tied. Animals are allowed as long as they fit in with their character. Picnics are encouraged, though there will be refreshments available as well. Various performers will entertain all ages, and merchants will be offering a variety of interesting items. At the time this article was written, this fair did not have a website.

Perchance I've enlightened you with my fanciful tale and inspired you to enjoy rousing medieval merriment this year at a renaissance fair in Ohio. Fare thee well!