“It’s really hard because we have been entertaining families and people for all ages for so long. We had a whole show planned this year and we kept holding out in hopes that we could open,” said Aimee Sedley, general manager of King’s Faire about her decision to cancel this year’s event. “My mother and I are the producers of the show. It’s a family-owned thing, and it’s devastating to our performers, artisans, to us.”
But take heart, lords and ladies — the Faire will return in 2021 to celebrate its 40th anniversary. “We have some really good entertainment lined up and talented new artisans,” said Sedley.
King Richard’s Faire decided to retire their big cat show, which ran for 38 years. “The trainer was talented and treated the cats well. The show was educational and fascinating. But even before ‘Tiger King’ came out, we decided it was time to retire that act and turn it to the dogs.” The Faire invited a group of performing dogs to the stage, and canine meet and greets with adoring fans are planned.
“We have new jousters and a new aerialist. We’re also featuring a Renaissance unicycler who rides a 14-foot unicycle. His show is comedic and entertaining and includes audience participation,” Sedley said.
Old favorites also will be returning. The king, who celebrated his first year of reigning over the Faire in 2019, will return with Queen Anne. And the washer women will be bringing their washboards and their special brand of bawdy humor. “They’re just as funny in person,” said Sedley.
Sedley described the new-to-the-Faire artisans who will be selling their wares to passersby in 2021. “We have a wonderful new artisan who handcrafts bows an arrows, an author who writes Renaissance novels and some Renaissance clothing artists. And then, of course, we’re always working on the menu to come up with new and exciting food items,” she said.
“[The cancellation] is huge for us — for all entertainment venues if you think about it — and we can’t wait to see smiling faces come through the doors next year.”
For information, go to kingrichardsfaire.net
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