There are a lot of strange things about Delaware. One of them is that the state has never hosted an official Renaissance festival.
But that’ll change when Found Artifact Entertainment, in association with Brimming Horn Meadery in Milton, introduces the inaugural Delaware Renaissance Faire at Firebase Lloyd in Townsend on Nov. 5 and 6.
Celtic magician Daniel GreenWolf, entertainment director and performer for this new event, said presale tickets are nearly halfway sold out for the festival, which can accommodate about 2,000 people per day.
“Delaware is one of those spots where it’s almost crazy to us that there’s never been a Renaissance Faire here,” said GreenWolf, entertainment director with Found Artifact Entertainment, creators of Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire in Connecticut.
Freddy Allen of Middletown has never attended a Renaissance event before. Such gatherings whisk guests back to the days of the yore, where wanders and seekers of merriment are encouraged to wear period clothing, enjoy a range of performances, and walk around while munching on turkey legs.
Although there are Renaissance events in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Allen said those were too far for him to travel to.
“I’m excited to have a Renaissance Faire this close, as I’ve always wanted to attend one. I’m interested in both the food and costumes,” he said.
Turkey legs, kilts & more
Guests will have a chance to interact with a bunch of unusual characters as they hang out on festival grounds and try their hand at archery, axe-throwing, dagger tossing or even battling a knight in one-on-one combat.
GreenWolf said the Delaware Ren Faire will feature between 40 and 60 vendors, who will sell everything from food (yep, those iconic turkey legs) and adult drinks, to swords, clothing (think kilts and leather armor), crystals, candles and lots of handcrafted art.
Audriana Healey of Dover is a vendor who will offer Viridescent Natural Cosmetics.
“I make natural cosmetics and topicals that are known for their CBD infusion,” Healey said. “These products are special to me because they medicate and protect your skin, while also offering calming and healing benefits.”
Anna Heritage of Dover has attended Renaissance events for 20 years, including major festivals in Tuxedo, New York, and Crownsville, Maryland. Her mom took her to her first one as a kid, she recalled.
She’s a fan of buying essential oils, which she’ll be on the lookout for at this Townsend event. But that’s not all she plans to do there.
“I love getting smoked turkey legs,” said Heritage, who plans to attend the Delaware event with her 1-year-old daughter and her mom. “I love finding clearance costuming. At most Faires, they usually have costumes and accessories on sale the last day.”
Magic, fire & swords fights
Four stages of performers will be on tap to entertain revelers via magic, storytelling, music and other artistic expressions.
Some will feature strong woman Krystal Younglove, a sideshow performer who’s skilled in everything from acrobatics to fire eating. Talesin Phoenix is a master storyteller from Connecticut, while Phoenix Swords delivers historical sword combat from the same state.
GreenWolf & Bella will deliver its special brand of Celtic magic.
The Little Farm from Camden-Wyoming isn’t a performer, but they’ll offer a petting zoo and pony rides.
The Renaissance Faire will offer plenty for music fans to enjoy.
Sasanach is a skilled violinist, and singer and violinist Kristin Meyer of the Maryland-based Celtic band Painted Trillium will also deliver live tunes.
Pieces of 8 is an a cappella group from New Jersey with Vaudeville personality. Bassist Stacy Kuchinski said this cast of strange singers will be ready to crack up the First State.
“We all suffer from A.D.O.S. (Attention Deficit … Oh, Squirrel!). We embody the strange family members that everyone has, but won’t willingly admit to such as: the gullible uncle, the aloof princess, a lovable whirlwind of chaos,” Kuchinski explained.
Krystal Younglove, of York, Pennsylvania, said her favorite part of Ren gatherings is that guests get to experience a temporary alternative world for a weekend. Younglove has noticed they have grown in popularity over the years, and are not just drawing cosplayers.
“Having started as historical reenactments, the environments have slowly but surely started opening opportunities for themed experiences like Time Travelers Weekend, Pirate Weekend, fantasy, etcetera,” she said. “Additionally, the Faires I choose to participate with have worked diligently to be a place of inclusion and a safe space.”
Wilmington resident Sarah Bucic is a Ren Faire fan that’s happy she won’t have to leave the state to enjoy quality performances.
“I think it will be great to have something locally like this and I can’t see it not being a cool tradition,” Bucic said. “Personally, I can’t wait to see the performer Krystal Younglove.”
Will Delaware Ren Faire be back in 2023?
Steph Creech of Dover knows the Delaware Ren Faire won’t draw 300,000 people like the longstanding Maryland Faire.
But she’s optimistic.
“Delaware fully encompasses the quote, ‘Though he be but little, he is fierce,’ ” she said. “My partner and I can’t wait to see the signature medieval atmosphere and the variety of shows coming to the Delaware Renaissance Faire this year.”
Autumn Birney of Townsend meanwhile is bummed she won’t be able to attend this new festival in her backyard, because she already has plans. But she hopes to be there in the future.
“I definitely hope things go well for them this year. Delaware definitely needs more community-based events like this,” she said.
Samantha Campbell of Milton said she’s happy the Delaware Renaissance Faire will give folks something new to do. “It’s a good feeling to know (it) will bring so many Delawareans together for a shared experience of food, fun, music and feel-good vibes.”
There had been plans to bring a Renaissance event to Delaware before the pandemic, and the stars finally aligned this year for Found Artifact Entertainment, GreenWolf said.
Since tickets sales have done well so far, he added, they’re already looking to bring the event back next year in a bigger way. “We do one weekend this year, then maybe next year we’re gonna do three weekends,” he explained.
“So we’re looking at this for the long-term, as long as people like us and they want to keep seeing it, we’re gonna keep trying to put it on for folks.”
Delaware Renaissance Faire is coming to Lloyd Firebase (446 Fleming Landing Road, Townsend) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5 and Sunday, Nov. 6. Tickets are $10-$15; Free for ages 5 or younger. For more info, visit delafaire.com.
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Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter. If you have an interesting story idea, email Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com.
