One thing you need to know about the New York Renaissance Faire if it is your first time visiting: you may not be able to tell the actors from the visitors, for they love dressing up as much as the employees do.
Mother Nature withheld her watery wrath long enough for the 3,000 people who passed through its gates on opening day, Aug. 6.
Each year, the Sterling Forest venue attracts more visitors and offers more shows than it has the previous year. Now in its 34th season, its parking lot was filled to capacity with license plates from as close by as New Jersey and Connecticut to as far away as Washington state.
Wanda Carr, assistant general manger for the Renaissance Faire, said more than 121,000 people visited in the 17 days it was open in 2010. The fair opens on Saturday and Sunday, save for Labor Day, when it opens that Monday only for the holiday.
There are more than 1,100 individual workers in any given season, Carr said. “Some work for the Faire, others are individual artisans, vendors and entertainers. More than half of those involved live locally in the tristate area.”
Deborah Hartline of Irvington, whose regular job finds her at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics in Tarrytown where she works as an application consultant, was sitting in her tent on the Faire”™s Mystic Waye as a tarot card reader, something she”™s been doing for the past seven seasons.
“I love it,” Hartline said. “Even though there aren”™t many people buying from the crafters right now, I think it”™s more of the effect of Washington”™s debt crisis; it has taken a toll on people in general. The great thing about the fair is that all the events ”“ and there are so many and more each year ”“ are free.
“With all the shows going on, including the joust, I think people come to dress up and to enjoy themselves. The admission price alone covers all the shows, which is great. In the meantime, as far as spending is concerned, I think people will be more comfortable in the days ahead now that the crisis has passed. Labor Day is our biggest weekend … and we are usually busy here in this section of the village … perhaps people are trying to find out what the future has in store for them.”
The Renaissance Faire has more than 75 costumed actors, 20 independent specialty acts and over 100 craftspeople. The buildings of its village are permanently built on its 65 acres and are only used for fair events ”“ that can even include a wedding ”“ if that be your wish.
The fair is wheelchair accessible, but save for service dogs, no pets are permitted. Strollers are welcome, just in case you worry that it”™s an “adults only” experience. There”™s something for all ages, including medieval rides and shows geared to children ”“ with a bit of “over their heads” humor for the adults.
To check out the shows, the crafts and where you can rent a costume to take part in the medieval merriment, visit renfair.com. The fair runs weekends through Sunday, Sept. 25.
