Comedy, magic shows, craft beers and shopping prove there’s something for the whole family
By Nancy Edwards
Does the thought of a Renaissance Faire create images of strange people dressed in heavy Elizabethan costumes and speaking in a confusing Shakespearean language while performing boring staged sword fights?
Then you obviously haven’t been to the Fishers Renaissance Faire. Kids will be in awe of the magic shows and puppet theatres. Moms can shop at the many vendors selling candles, art, pottery and more while savoring a piece of cheesecake, and dads can enjoy craft beer in the tavern while listening to drinking songs. The teenagers will keep busy playing pranks, such as throwing people they know in “jail” and laughing as the prisoners try to escape.
“There’s something for everyone. It’s never-ending,” said Adam Fivush, chairman of the Renaissance Faire. “For the kids, we have an award-winning mousetrap theatre, and the cast members are fabulous people who spent the whole year working on their characters, making their own clothing, and interact with the crowds and are really out there speaking with people.”
Comedy is a common theme that keeps audiences of all ages entertained and in stitches, according to Fivush and Paul “Squire” Brinke, who is part of the sword-fighting comedy team, the Rogue Blades.
“We pride ourselves with the fact that kids come back time after time to our show,” Brinke said, who added that the show involves a knight, “Sir James,” and the bad guy, “Dave the Nave.”
“Between the three of us, there’s a lot of interaction and a lot of jokes,” Brinke said. “We ad-lib to keep everyone involved and having a good time.”
The fun does not stop after the show. Instead of taking their breaks in a hidden area, members of the Rogue Blades “eat lunch and sit down with people and tell stories,” according to Brinkle. “We walk around the faire, entertain, tell jokes and tell families what other shows are out there and give them a reality, not just stage act.”
Recurrent acts at the faire which include gypsies, a queen, authentic sword fights, Shakespeare vignettes, knighting ceremonies, and Celtic and folk music. New routines this year, include MooNIE the Magnif’Cent, a headliner that involves a whistling clown juggling with fire clubs while performing above the ground.
“He’s very good; we’re excited to have him with us this year,” Fivush said.
The 9th annual Renaissance Faire, which has grown from mostly locals attending the event to one of the most well-known tourist attractions in the country, now draws guests from all over the country. Fivush attributes this development to the fact that the faire is not a business.
“We have the luxury of spending a more reasonable amount on entertainment than most faires spend.” Funds go toward other sister city Renaissance Faires.
“The Renaissance Faire is about what you get: a lot of acts,” Fivush said. “It used to be that in one day, you could see everything. Now, if you go for two days, you can see everything.”
Fishers Renaissance Faire
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Oct. 5 and 6
Saxony Development, 13578 E. 131st St., Fishers (off I-69 and exit 210).
Tickets for day of event are $12 for ages 13 and up and $5 for youth ages 5 to 12. For more information visit http://fishersrenfaire.com/
