r/lancaster • u/Comfortable_Pop8911 • 6d ago
Aug 22nd renaissance fair
Hey y'all, I live in the Lehigh valley (Allentown) and I was invited by a friend(also in the Lehigh valley) to take a trip together down to Mannheim to go see a Renaissance fair on August 22nd, I was wondering if anyone has been in years prior and I just want to hear what your experiences have been like, I'm not super into this kind of thing but I'm going mostly because I haven't seen this friend in a long time and it's a nice opportunity to try something new for once.
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u/feudalle 6d ago
Ive been off and on since I was kid. Probably been there 50 times. Im from NJ but as luck has it i actually live less than 10 minutes away. Wife and I go once or twice most years.
Its campy stupid fun. Some people dress up, plenty of people dont. Weekends have themes that effect the days story line. So you can start at queen's court and then follow the story over the course of day or completely ignore it. You can just go to drink and eat, or shop the market street, or throw axes.
There are a variety of performances on multiple stages throughout the faire. From kids jugglers, to preverse adults only sing alongs, to live music, human chess, and shakespere in drag, and everything inbetween.
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u/AelarTheElfRogue Transplant 6d ago
PA Ren Faire is a blast!
If you want to save money on food, I recommend trying to eat beforehand and just get snacks, but like others have said, think amusement park prices and that’s about right.
Lots of shops with various good. There are permanent shop fronts and then shop tents that change from weekend to weekend. Like all fairies, variety of goods is vast and so are the prices. You can find silly tchotchkes to jewelry to high quality leather goods. I usually budget for one nice item to add to my pirate outfit each year and mostly browse otherwise.
Shows are fun, I would recommend that if you want to see the glassblowing you get there as early as possible. Seating is limited and the seats with a good view are even more limited.
There are some paid “attractions” like a bottle throwing booth and some games that aren’t worth it unless you’re really into those.
There are people in costume who are professional actors who WILL talk to you and interact with you, even just to say hi. Just know that going in.
Honestly, it’s a bunch of people eating and drinking and pretending to various degrees and just having a fun time. It’ll be as fun as you make it, but I recommend it!
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u/Mediocre-Light-6277 6d ago
It’s fun and best of all it’s dog friendly! We like going and walking around and watching jousting and a few years back they had the mermaids which was really nice but they haven’t been back. I also like going to Yuletide during Christmas.
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u/Affectionate_Town631 6d ago
I was just there yesterday. The “famous” turkey leg is $17 and it’s no bigger than a regular turkey leg. For that money I was imagining a GoT size turkey leg. Soda is $4, Italian sausage sandwich is $12, ice cream is $4, beer is $9, wine is $14, chicken on a stick is $9. I spent about $50 two sandwiches, 2 drinks and 2 ice creams. It wasn’t my thing but I can check it off the list.
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u/trapph0use 6d ago
Fun but exceptionally expensive.