Photo: The jousting
The 37th annual Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace is in full swing at Gold Canyon, just seven miles southeast of Apache Junction.
We chose to attend on Chivalry weekend with perfect weather in abundance throughout the day. Upon our arrival we were greeted by the Royal Family and musicians famous tunes from the old country.
There are 16 stages, plenty of shops, eateries, with an assortment of drinks on the 50 acre site. A must for a snack of the preemptive feast is the turkey leg. Find your favorites as you stroll around. I suggest getting your eats and finding a place to catch a show as well.
Photo: The Statue of Comedius
A quick stop to see the Statue of Comedius as you enter the gates is a great photo opportunity. Be sure tip your new stone friend. There are many others to interact with so be of good spirits as you come upon them and they will add to the enjoyment of your day.
We stopped at the Fairhaven Stage to see our first two performances of the day.
Photo: Don Juan freezes as Esmeralda throws flaming knives around him
Don Juan and his daughter Esmeralda are making their last rounds as entertainers at the festival. They show off their skills with whips and knifes with humor mixed about. Don said, “We have been performing for 21 years now and this shall be our last. It has been fun, but can also be challenging with knife throwing and fire landing within a few inches. Then of course there is the whip.”
Photo: The trio of Barely Balanced amazed the crowds with their act
The trio of Barely Balanced drew a very large crowd as they tempted fate with their amazing maneuvers of the ways of balance. “Not an easy thing to do”, said Medium, one of their three. “Each day is different and you just have to stay focused on what you are doing, but also don’t forget that you are there to entertain and give your best performance each time.”
A new act for us this year was Niblick & Mashie. The real life father-son duo put on a show dealing with innuendos. “We are local in Arizona (Mashie from Flagstaff), (Niblick from Tempe), and just do this festival each year. It is a lot of fun being able to share this experience with my son. One of things I really enjoy about this festival is that everyone comes together as one community. You see a lot of people from various walks of life and here it is like we are all of the same, a beautiful thing.”
A midday walk to the arena for a joust is always a must see. There are three performances starting at noon, 2:30pm, and 5pm. You may also choose to stop and look through the many shop keepers wares on your way to your destination.
Hey Nunnie Nunnie continues to crack people up with their take on religious humor. The two, Mother Redempta and Sister Philomena put on a show for the entire family with adults getting most of their jokes.
Photo: Adrian Walter is the vivacious front man of Tartanic
The final show of the day always turns out to be my grand finale as the bagpipes and drums of Tartanic will rock you like never before. Adrian Walter, the drum beating front man has led the group for nearly a quarter of a century and still enjoys it like he did from day one. “I just enjoy this so much. Being able to play and meet people from around the country makes it all worthwhile. Out music is not mainstream, like you don’t hear it on the radio, yet when you can share it live, it has an all new meaning.”
I encountered a street performer that titles his act, “The Raven Show”. There is a big ball he stands on and spreads his wings like a bird. It was what got my attention. Once he has his audience, it becomes an up close and personal magic performance that will leave you scratching your head of just how he did some of those things. So be sure to look out for him.
On your way out you are treated to a Renaissance group collaboration of “Faire Thee Well”.
It was another grand day amongst the masses at his years festival. Be sure not to miss out on all the fun this year. So get there when it opens and stay till it closes, even then you will need a second day to see all the acts throughout the park. Just be leisurely for it is a day of fun.
The festival runs for eight weekends, and even includes Presidents Day, concluding on Sunday, March 30. It is open from 10am-6pm with plenty of free parking. Be sure to check online for the various weekend themes. Huzzah!
For more information go to http://Arizona.renfestinfo.com
