Renaissance Festivals in Michigan

castle image by JASON WINTER from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Michigan offers several Renaissance Festivals during the summer and fall months. Though varying in size, the festivals share a common offering of medieval revelry, period-specific shops and food and entertainment keeping with the theme. Location is an essential consideration in a state as large as Michigan--be sure to factor in the travel time necessary when planning your weekend trip to a renaissance festival.

Southwest Michigan

Knight Holding Lance image by Humza Tarar from Fotolia.com

The Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire, located in Battle Creek, is mid-size event that draws approximately 25,000 people during its run from early July to early August. In addition to the Faire's green surroundings, The Knights of Mayhem, a professional jousting troupe, offers an authentic display while The Rogues, an American Celtic band, provide the music to set the mood. The festival offers visitors more than 100 vendors on-site, ample supplies of period garb and trinkets.

Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire
1158 E. Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014
269-343-9090
silverleafrenfaire.org

Eastern Michigan

queen image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com

The Michigan Renaissance Festival, located in Holly, was established in 1979 and runs for seven weekends from late August to early October. With 200 vendors and more than 200,000 visitors each year, this is the largest and most well-funded medieval event in Michigan. As a result, it can afford to showcase turreted gates, a 17-acre period-themed village, and a reproduction of a small castle. With 16 theme stages and fields, a large array of entertainment is available, including jousting matches, comedy shows and people-powered rides.

Michigan Renaissance Festival
12500 Dixie Highway
Holly, MI 48442
800-601-4848
michrenfest.com

Upper Peninsula

drumers image by Vladislav Gajic from Fotolia.com

The Art Faire and Renaissance Festival in Ipsheming is a one-day event, taking place in early August. This free festival offers residents of the Upper Peninsula the chance to take part in medieval magic without driving seven or more hours across the state. Nestled in Bancroft Park near Bancroft Lake, Ishpeming's offering is one of the smallest festivals in Michigan, drawing approximately 2,500 people each year. Dozens of vendors are usually there to meet the demand for period garb, trinkets and food. Blacksmithing demos, live music, costume contests, pony rides, juggling and a kids' crafts tent are some of the entertainment available.

Art Faire and Renaissance Festival
Lake Bancroft Park
Ishpeming, MI
906-486-4841
ishpemingrenfest.com

Resources

What is a Renaissance Faire?

Article Written By Brad Harris

Since 1999 Brad Harris has written on a wide array of subjects, ranging from helpful how-to articles about maneuvering through life to sharing war stories from navigating the campaign trail. Harris attended Michigan State University where he majored in political theory and has worked professionally in the telecommunications industry for over five years.

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