Third annual Strathmore Renaissance Faire on the horizon

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathmore Renaissance Faire is returning to the Agricultural Society grounds for a third year running, looking to continue expanding the event.

“It is our last show for the season. We are really looking forward to Strathmore because it is always a fun time to visit and the show always turns out good there. We are adding a little bit to the entertainment stuff and hoping for a larger crowd,” said Gail Stamp, owner and ‘lead instigator’ of the Strathmore Renaissance Faire. “Strathmore has never disappointed us – it grows every year and it is always fun and the venue is great. We love going there.”

Returning features of the Faire include the jousting and heavy-armoured combat tournaments, and the Viking Village. These will appear alongside a host of other entertainers wandering the grounds.

Stamp added this year will also feature an area specifically for kids. The idea being to continue making the event even more family-friendly and encouraging everyone to come out to enjoy the festivities. 

“It is just more added entertainment; that is kind of how the show grows. We have increased the marketplace by several booths, and there is a games area for the adults as well. We just add little bits and pieces to the show every year to help accommodate the growth of the traffic,” she said. 

Based on the previous growth of the show, Stamp is anticipating around 8,000 people to pass through the gates this year. 

Prior to moving to Strathmore, the Renaissance Faire operated annually out of the Wild Wild West Event Centre in Calgary for a number of years. The venue was migrated in order to accommodate the increasing popularity of the event, and the requirement for more parking spaces. 

“It is not a matter of getting away with anything that we couldn’t in Calgary, we are just able to grow and expand and invite more people. As the audience grows, the show is going to grow,” said Stamp. “Our biggest draw is the joust. Everybody wants to see the joust and the grandstand in Strathmore; I believe it holds around 4,000 people and it will be full. It just fills; people want to see the joust. It is exciting, it’s fun, and it is not like what you see on television.”

Stamp was excited to report that folks from all over Canada are beginning to come out for the show, flying in from as far away as Ontario, or the Yukon. 

This year’s event will take place from Aug. 22 to 24 at the Strathmore Ag Society grounds. Children aged six and under will be allowed onto the grounds free of charge.