Over Memorial Day weekend, Philadelphia’s historic Fort Mifflin served as a vibrant backdrop for the third annual Philadelphia Renaissance Faire, transporting attendees back to the dawn of the English Renaissance with elements of Medieval fantasy.
The event, which ran for three days, featured a plethora of activities, including tabletop game tournaments at the Gaming Stronghold, axe throwing and archery contests at the Proving Grounds, as well as demonstrations from blacksmiths and numerous live performances.
Joyce Willis and her daughter, Ntazia Brittingham, expressed their delight at immersing themselves in the festival atmosphere. Willis remarked on the joy of experiencing something beyond the daily routine in Philadelphia, underscoring the event’s dual nature of fantasy and historical appreciation.
“It’s also really nice to just to experience something outside of the everyday that we see in Philadelphia to get away to allow for an opportunity for a fantasy and cosplay and just smiles and also the historical aspect of it too,” she said.
Attendees donned costumes while others opted for casual attire, engaging in role-playing activities as folk music wafted through the air. Artisan vendors contributed to the festive spirit, serving traditional fare such as enormous turkey legs.
Memorial Day observer Christopher Muessig decided to attend the Renaissance Faire to recreate fond childhood memories. “We had no plans for Memorial Day and I always remembered doing this when I was a kid, so I wanted to bring my own kids to experience the Renaissance Fair,” he explained.
The faire’s co-founder, Daniel GreenWolf, contributed his talents as a magician and fire breather. He shared that his passion for Middle Age-style entertainment began in his youth. “It was the last bastion of vaudeville,” he described. “There was nowhere else that you were going to see a storyteller, a juggler, a belly dancer, a fire performer and a magician all in the same place in the course of one day.”
The festival seems to have regained its pulse after the original Philadelphia Renaissance Faire ceased operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from their experience with fairs in New England, GreenWolf and fellow co-founders Patrick Colton, Sam Negraval, Tom Sales, and Aaron Van Yuga undertook the revival of this beloved community event, aiming to create moments that evoke wonder.
Festival-goers basked in the rich atmosphere. “I love the sort of village-y feel to everything. I feel like we’ve been transported back to, you know, a whole other time period,” said Willis.
Brittingham, who works at Gaffney Fabrics in Germantown, designed her and her mother’s striking purple and black costumes, drawing inspiration from Esmarelda of Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame.
“Mostly people are piecing their outfits together or they’re making them by hand and I just love to see everyone expressing themselves,” she added.
Niche vendors showcased their handcrafted medieval-inspired products, contributing to the festival’s unique charm. Andrea Zawadowicz of Dragon’s Eye Leather expressed her enthusiasm for the renaissance community, emphasizing the camaraderie among vendors. “We love our Ren fairs because it’s a great community and other vendors such as ourselves,” Zawadowicz shared. “We have a whole community of us and it’s really great to be loved and accepted here.”
Jesse Lechok from DimensionXStudios displayed lifelike creature wearables, reflecting his childhood passion for Dungeons & Dragons. He expressed joy in witnessing the happiness his creations bring to others.
“I very much love this environment and the vibe of it all and just like to see the joy on people’s faces whenever they see something that they feel that character and it helps them embody that,” he remarked.
The joy present at the fair was palpable. Local bard Thom Fuewellery, who attended last year’s event as a patron in period attire, found himself hired on the spot by the organizers. Now performing throughout the region, Fuewellery delights in sharing music and culinary experiences with guests.
“Any chance I get to dive in and bring smiles and merriment to folks through something that I can do, whether it’s cooking for people or playing some music, I’m here to do it,” he shared happily.
The organizers have announced that the Renaissance fair will return next year, promising another celebration of history and fantasy in Philadelphia.
image source from：https://whyy.org/articles/philadelphia-renaissance-faire/
