Colorado Renaissance Festival
Fun with a taste of another time
Article and photos by Susan Helton
Costumed “royalty” and other characters entertain the festival visitors who eagerly await the opening of the gates.
For a day trip that offers a taste of another time, a visit to the Colorado Renaissance Festival in Larkspur is just the thing! 2018 marks the festival’s 42nd anniversary season. The festival began as a tear-down show in Morrison and now boasts more than 200 structures on 42 acres offering visitors a thematic recreation of a 16th century village and marketplace.
Visitors revel in the illusion of a jovial festival day. Artisans line the village streets and pathways, selling their original wares and demonstrating their crafts, including pottery, blacksmithing and glassblowing. To satisfy appetites and quench thirsts, visitors can choose from a myriad of mouthwatering foods and the finest ales and beverages, including the famous turkey legs, steak on a stake, roasted corn on the cob, fresh baked goods and so much more.
Many of the costumed characters and entertainers join together for the flamboyant daily parade.
Hundreds of colorfully costumed characters entertain throughout the village and on the festival’s stages, amusing visitors with jousting tournaments, comedy shows, hypnotism, music, dance, juggling and more. Adding to the fun, many festival visitors also dress up in medieval-style costumes. Diversions that delight the kids include camel, llama and elephant rides, the DaVinci ride and the giant rocking horse ride.
Plan to spend the day exploring the village and visiting the shops, enjoying the great variety of entertainment and escaping for a time to this merry medieval festival. The festival is open weekends from mid-June to early August. To reach the festival, take I-25 south to exit 173 and follow the signs.
For more info, visit coloradorenaissance.com.
One booth features wild bird ambassadors, including a beautiful gyrfalcon, a raptor typically found in the Arctic. These birds and their handlers help visitors gain an understanding of raptors and other wildlife.
