Hear Ye! Hear Ye!: King Richard’s Faire brings a forested village to life

Grab your cloaks, wands and, of course, a flagon for ale! King Richard’s Faire is back for its 40th season. Beginning on September 4 and running through October 24, this long-loved renaissance faire gives some of us hope that COVID-times are healing, by transporting back to a time when the plague may have been an even more lethal concern. But let’s ignore that.

King Richard’s Faire is one of the best times you can have, with performances (please, please, please go see The Washing Well Wenches, it’s this writer’s favorite), wonderful food (the Faire offers gluten-free, vegetarian and lactose-free options beyond their traditional giant turkey legs) and shops filled with everything from hammocks to artisans, all set in a stand-alone village-that-time-forgot in the woods of Carver, Massachusetts. This year also features new acts, including the Captain’s Canines, the Unicycling Unicorn, and Boom Boom Shake. 

In the same time frame this fall, from September 4 – October 17, the 23-year-old Connecticut Renaissance Faire will whisk you back to the celebrated bygone era. Also featuring cosplayers in-character, fire dancing, LARPing, archery, axe-throwing, vendors and shows, this faire lies in Lebanon, another patch of woods and fields in the middle of nowhere, between Mansfield and Norwich, and not far from Mohegan Sun. The CT Renaissance Faire also explores several themed weekends, with one for pirates, for wizards, for D&D/gamers weekend, romance and time travel (Daleks!?).

Long-time lovers of ren faires know that a visit is one of the best ways to leave our modern world behind and have some fun, be it as a wench, a wizard, a jouster … you name it. Costumes are welcome, and if you don’t have one, one of the shops is sure to be able to help you. 

Vaccinations are not required for entry, but unvaccinated guests are encouraged to use a mask. 

Visit kingrichardsfaire.net for a site map, event schedules, evolving COVID restrictions and tickets. The Faire takes place at 235 Main St, Carver, Mass, Sep 4 – Oct 24 . Ctfaire.com for more on the Connecticut Faire at 122 Mack Rd, Lebanon, Conn, Sep 4 – Oct 17.