19th Annual RenFest Begins In Deerfield Beach
DEERFIELD BEACH (CBS4) – O ye wretched masses, come ye and gather on the green to lift your spirits at the Deerfield Beach/Quiet Waters Park 19th Annual Renaissance Festival.
The yearly festival, held between February 12th and March 13th, is a step back to 16th Century Europe.
RenFest, as it is commonly known, attracts about 120 thousand spectators annually, according to the festival Web site. It is an inexpensive weekend at $20 for adults and just $7 – the wee ones younger than 6 get in free.
RenFest began almost two decades ago as a single-weekend event that has grown to cover five weekends and to include President's Day and Student Day(s) and now has expanded to other locations: the Miami Festival at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park in January.
Each weekend during the festival has a theme that includes: All's Fayre in Love and War Feb. 12 - 13; Pirates Weekend Feb. 19 -21; pets weekend Medieval Menagerie Feb. 26-27; Wenches Weekend with Bodacious Bodices March 5-6; and Kiss the Blarney Stone with Celtic-Irish themes March 12 – 13.
There is an enchanted village sporting crafts and wares true to the era such as glass blowing, hammered pewter, wooden toys, clothing and other riches.
"You can expect wonderment merryment and delight beyond all possible measure," said Richard Weber, the fair's entertainment director. "It is a place unlike any other."
Hundreds of performers will entertain with period songs and dance. Knights battle on horseback and hawks show their falconry skills. Grab a fist of meat and a tankard of ale and try out your early English accents.
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