Renaissance Faire returns to Strathmore for second year
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The renaissance faire which made its debut in Strathmore last year is returning to the Strathmore Agricultural Society grounds, Aug. 23-25.
Nicknamed the “Strathmore Ren Faire,” the festival migrated to Strathmore from Calgary due to having outgrown their previous venue, while also wanting to both remain close enough to the city for patrons, and to keep costs affordable for families to visit.
“It is a family-friendly event so we have lots of things for big kids and little kids; there are areas for kids to go and enjoy themselves and fight the knight, and pool noodle jousting, and then for the older adults they can go over and check out the actual jousting, the heavy armour combat, there is a Viking Village, and lots of opportunities for shopping,” said Gail Stamp, owner and operator of the Strathmore Renaissance Faire. “Then of course, there is the magician, and the storytellers, and all the other folks who are participating as well, so all around it is a really fun family event.”
Stamp explained for their first year operating in Strathmore, the team was extremely pleased with the overall attendance to the event over the course of the weekend, being the greatest numbers they had seen to date.
The ongoing goal for the event being to continue to see growth and see it become as large as possible.
“We are bringing in our core of entertainers who we had last year, and then of course we are adding more to it this year with different entertainers,” said Stamp. “We have an aerialist coming in for a couple of shows, different folks who will be walking about; it will be a little bit … of everything, and we are actually (also) working on having a petting zoo come in.”
For fans of jousting who may have been disappointed last year, the team is seeking to redeem themselves this time around, as their horses have become more accustomed to performing and it is now safe to showcase the sport.
Stamp explained champion jousters are flying in from across the globe to participate at the Strathmore Ren Faire.
She added the Ren Faire in future years is aiming to attract more sponsors and support for the event as it continues to settle into the new venue and becomes more well established.
Ticket rates are $14 for an adult ticket to attend the faire for a day. Tickets at the gate are the only necessary expense to be able to enjoy the event. Everything else for patrons is entirely optional.
On Saturday, Aug. 24, there is a separately ticketed feast taking place as a part of the Ren Faire, though it has already sold out. Stamp added next year, the team will be looking to increase ticket availability for the feast and be able to accommodate a larger audience.
More information regarding the Strathmore Renaissance Faire is available through the event website and on their Facebook page.