Every summer something magical happens at the Kelley Farm in Bonney Lake. For three weekends in August, in the midst of the hayfield appears the quaint renaissance village of Merriwick, complete with vendor tents, food stalls, and a tournament arena where brave knights joust for honor and fame. The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is a festival that brings together people of all ages for fun and feast.
The Faire boasts 11 stages and performance areas for people of all ages. Attendees can watch jousting, fencing demonstrations, musical performances, plays, and a variety of comedic entertainment. Patrons can look forward to many returning performers, such as the comedic hijinks of Broon, who boasts his own dedicated following – the Friends of Broon. Attend just one show and you will see what makes him a favorite of adults and children alike. Other returning performances include Robin Hood and Maid Marion Present – a special treat for families with children, as enthusiastic young audience members are pulled on stage to be part of the show.
The Faire presents unique artisans who make and sell a number of crafts – leatherworkers, metalworkers, an onsite blacksmith, clothiers, and artists all come together to offer one-of-a-kind wares that cannot be found anywhere else. There’s fun to be had for younger attendees, too. For example, the Gnome Hunt is a fun interactive game for kids that will challenge them in a number of skills and reward them with a prize after they find all five gnomes.
“The Faire features 14-foot-tall rocking horses, a sword swallower, and lots of fun for families,” says Shana Casey, marketing manager for the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire.
Each weekend brings a different theme. Opening weekend celebrates chivalry and honor, as fairegoers are encouraged to celebrate heroes of all types – not only the jousting champions, but also the many heroes in our communities like the military, police officers, firefighters, as well as personal heroes are encouraged to be a part of the festivities.
The following weekend adds a bit of fantasy to the mix, as the mists of the faerie realm open to allow fareies, trolls, and all things magical into Merriwick. Renowned fantasy artist, Amy Brown, will be at the Faire signing autographs during the second weekend from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Keep an eye around the faire on the second weekend for the unicorn.
The final weekend brings adventure with pirates, wenches, and family-friendly pillaging and plundering. Fairegoers are encouraged to put on an eyepatch or dust off the old peg leg and join the crew of the Emerald Rose and the SeaDogs as they make port at Merriwick for the final weekend of the Faire.
Delicious food to keep you going all day is available from a variety of vendors. Patrons can chow down on a huge turkey leg, gobble up a delicious meat pie, or snack on a tasty pickle. Sweet treats are available from many vendors too. The line at Sir Benjamin & Sir Gerald Eye Screamery tends to grow in the afternoon heat.
To quench your thirst, Mcgilly Sassparilly sells delicious honey-made root beer, spicy sarsaparilla, delightful cream soda and the best birch beer this side of the Rocky Mountains. Each beverage is available in a refillable bottle, which will keep you hydrated for the whole Faire for a very reasonable refilling fee, based on bottle size. Mcgilly Sassparilly can only be purchased at a very few festival events, and is not available in stores.
A Few Insider Tips
Parking is free and ample, but if you get there early, you will have a shorter walk at the end of a long day.
Summer, even in Puget Sound, can be quite hot, so bring sun protection and water for pets. Speaking of pets, well-behaved pets on leashes are welcome at the Faire.
Performances are all included with Faire admission, but many fairegoers bring along some cash to tip their favorite performers after the show. Tips are never required, but always appreciated.
While this modern interpretation of a midsummer renaissance festival strives to include many authentic elements, fairegoers will be pleased to know that the outhouses are equipped with ye olde hand sanitizer and are cleaned daily.
Fairegoers are invited to dress up, but it is completely optional. If you do want to dress up, but find yourself lacking festive attire, you will find plenty of vendors with festival gear available for purchase in Merriwick.
“The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is one of the only festivals of its kind that offers onsite weekend camping to Faire attendees,” says Casey. Primitive tent and RV camping – no RV hookups – is available starting at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, and all afterhours entertainment is included in the camping fee. On the second weekend, the family-friendly movie “Hook” will be shown with popcorn for the camping crowd.
The 2018 Midsummer Renaissance Faire will be held at the Kelley Farm at 19401 Sumner-Buckley Highway in Bonney Lake on August 4, 5, 11, 12, 18 and 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or on the website. Discounts are available online or at the gate for students, seniors and military (with ID). SouthSoundTalk readers are invited to use the promo code: SOUTHSOUND25 for 25% off adult, child, and family passes when they purchase tickets online.
