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The Maryland Renaissance Festival is a lusty experience loaded with enough sensory stimulation to satisfy even King Henry VIII. In other words, kids will find much to entertain them.

In its 33rd season, the festival offers thrills, humor, music, and lots and lots to look at. Over the course of the nine-week event, more than 1,300 people will participate as performers, shopkeepers and staff, most of them in period costume befitting the residents of an English Tudor village. In addition, many visitors either rent or wear their own costumes, dressing as pirates, wenches, rogues, monks, maidens, and the like. Some folks add creative touches, as did one man dressed in a knight costume who sported an arrow that appeared to pierce his chest.

In their third excursion to the Crownsville, Md., event, a couple of Our Kids parents found the festival can stay much the same over the years and still the experience will change as the children grow.

As small children, a pair of boys enjoyed dressing in rented Squire costumes, being knighted by the Queen, and watching children’s performances. This year, at ages 11 and 9 and joined by a 5-year-old brother, the boys took to more macho pursuits, attending the jousting tournament, watching a swordplay demonstration, scrambling up a climbing wall, and—with great joy—shopping for wooden weapons.

According to this year’s festival story line, visitors travel back to Revel Grove, a village in Oxfordshire, England, in 1543. Henry VIII and his royal court are making an appearance at the village’s annual Harvest Festival. They and other well-dressed noble-people travel through the crowd at the faire, and visitors are welcome to engage them in conversation.

On Stage
Performers are everywhere at the renaissance festival. Every few feet some manner of play, musical act, juggler or stunt show is being performed, many of them including comedy. The map/brochure that visitors receive at the entrance describes each offering (in tiny typeface!). Take care that some of the shows are themed for mature audiences.

Thankfully, a number of shows cater to children specifically. The OK gang watched an interactive performance of St. George and the Dragon. Two actors appearing as Robin Hood and Maid Marian led the show, providing narration and directing six members of the audience in acting out the play.

The show was perfect for kids, but the OK boys were more impressed with a pair who called themselves the Duelists. The comedy/sword-fighting act included quite a few references to men’s anatomy, which thankfully went over the children’s heads. The boys loved the swordplay, physical humor, and anachronistic references to “Star Wars.”

Another favorite was the jousting tournament. Four knights on horseback competed in various feats of skill. The crowd cheered for its favorite knight, encouraged by costumed performers to shout, “Huzzah!” One knight, sweltering in his armor with temperatures in the low 80s, told folks within earshot that a competition to knock a plume off the knights’ helmets was “much like putting your head in a bloody bell.”

Activities
Several activities are available for children who want to be part of the action. Unfortunately, most of these cost extra. Favorites included a climbing wall ($5) and a maze ($2). The older boys enjoyed a knife throwing game; archery also is available.

Not to be missed: The Giant Slide is a festival tradition that is always a highlight for kids. Many fairs have big slides, but the humps on the renaissance festival’s slide are something special. The OK reviewers say the $1 paid per ride is money well spent.

Next to the slide, a kids play area offers free space to run off some steam. A model ship attracted children of all sizes with a rope ladder and tube slide. The area also includes swings, smaller sliding boards and benches for parents. Pony rides at the festival are free.

Browsing
Vendors of all kinds sell their wares at the festival, offering items that vary widely from well-crafted to kitschy. Shops selling costumes and weapons in particular differ, with some catering to renaissance aficionados looking for premium fabrics and carefully carved wood and others more likely outfitting kids for Halloween. One artisan offers exquisite marionettes with small parts and prices not intended for young children. Grownups not interested in period crafts such as armor can still find arts festival fare such as stained glass, jewelry, and pottery.

The OK boys found a large shop near the jousting arena that displays hundreds of wooden weapons available at child-friendly prices. For additional savings, kids can opt for swords, battle axes, shields and daggers made of unpainted wood. The five-year-old has asked almost daily when he can paint the dagger and shield he took home from the festival. For girls, a number of the shops offered very pretty flower garlands.

Food
Yes, turkey legs are available; the location is even marked on the festival map. Parents with picky eaters will be relieved to know pizza, pasta, chicken nuggets, and hamburgers are for sale, too. People looking for fun can try some of the variety of foods available on a stick, including steak, sausage, pork chops, and even macaroni and cheese. The chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick was way better than a similar treat tasted earlier this year at a Washington-area county fair.

Bottom Line
Elementary-age children and older especially should enjoy the shows, activities, and people-watching the Maryland Renaissance Festival offers.

Know Before You Go

* If you’re interested in children’s performances, go in the morning. The last shows targeted specifically at children start at 3:30 p.m.
* If you do go early, consider driving the alternate route provided on the website. The roads leading to the festival can get badly clogged, though by 2:30 p.m. even on a beautiful day, the route was clear.
* Stop at the Customer Service Pavilion to pick up the Children’s Program. It’s revised each weekend to provided a listing of family-oriented entertainment and activities.
* Bring a customer card from Giant or CVS to receive significant discounts ($4 off adult and $1 off children’s admission). Also, make a note for next year that the festival website provides a coupon offering the same discount for everyone the first three weeks of the event.
* Bring your own water. The OK reviewers did not see any free water at the festival.
* Be aware that the festival’s “privies” are port-a-potties. Remind reluctant children that these are still a whole lot better than what folks had during the actual Renaissance!
* Consider reading the annual story line, which describes the setting for each year’s festival.
* If cost is a factor, talk with your children in advance about how much they can spend on temptations including treats, activities, games, and souvenirs.
* According to the festival, “Lady Visa,” “Sir Master of Card,” and “New World Express” are accepted at the gate and at many of the vendor stands. ATM machines also are available if cash is needed.

Dates and Hours
The Maryland Renaissance Festival is open on Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The event is open rain or shine, and rain checks are not available.

Admission
$18 for Adults aged 16 to 61; $15 for Seniors aged 62 and up; $8 for Children aged 7 to 15. Children under the age of 7 are admitted free. A 2-day pass is available for $28; days do not have to be consecutive.

pulled from: http://www.our-kids.com/static/?f=marylandrenfestival