Sterling Renaissance Festival - Ale Fest Weekend

Celebrating 48 Years

The Renaissance Festival is a dramatic recreation of an Elizabethan town at festival time. It is a Renaissance styled theme park, a 12-stage performance venue, a 35-acre interactive/environmental theatre, an arts and crafts fair, a Jousting Tournament, a food festival and tavern, all rolled into one non-stop, day-long, family adventure!

Schedule of Events:

Themed Weekend Activities:

Themed weekends attract and delight guests of all ages, offering a unique experience with each visit. Dive into a theme that tickles your fancy, or come back several times throughout the season. Each themed weekend leads up to the Grand Finale on August 17th and 18th 2024 -- an event not to be missed! With our skilled performers and ever-changing themes and attractions, one thing is for certain: you’ll never visit the same festival twice!

Ale Fest Weekend:

Come celebrate the oldest beverage in human history!

With a vast selection of different imported and domestic brews on tap, there's no reason not to join the day's festivities and sample our fine selection of ales and beers. Tastings will be available at all Festival Pubs.

Buy a commemorative festival mug and experience the Faire "one handed.” Attend a rollicking "Pub Crawl" with festival characters to Festival Pubs and take part in the madcap antics, contests and songs with all your favorite characters. They'll be sober, but you will be merry! Drink responsibly.

Attractions:

Royal Entertainment

Each day of the Festival, the Queen and her court make an appearance on the grounds to partake in the many entertainments planned for her. A grand parade runs throughout Warwick with spectacle and pageantry!
 
View Event Schedule

The Joust:

The Joust is both a means of battle and a form of entertainment enjoyed by the Nobility and commoners alike. Knights are pitted against one another in a series of mounted and armoured combats that are fought as contests. Through a series of battles, only one prevails through to the final round. He who is the last man standing or holds the best record throughout each round is declared the winner.

The Joust A’plaisance Tournament is a series of elimination jousts. An overall winner is determined after the last battle is fought and all other opponents have been eliminated.

The Grand Joust is defined by its extravagance. It is a true spectacle, designed to thrill and delight those who witness the tournament. Many years of ceremony and chivalric conduct serve as the foundation of the Joust. Knights fight for the affections of the Queen and eligible Wenches; a Knight would battle in honor of his lady and could win her courtship if he wins the Joust.

Who will reign victorious and impress the fair Queen? Join us for the tournament of the century!

The Wyldewood Players:

Step through the gates of beautiful Warwick and you will soon find yourself greeted by the town’s jubilant citizens, who will warmly welcome you as one of their own.

One of the features that distinguish the Sterling Renaissance Festival from other Renaissance Festivals is its full-time professional corps of actors, selected from a national audition tour.  Weeks of training and rehearsal go into the varied and colorful Denizens of Warwick you see around you.

The Wyldewood Players is the oldest full-time professional acting troupe of any Renaissance Festival, and the inspiration behind many interactive entertainment groups in major theme parks across the country.

In addition to the many Lane Encounters you’ll experience, The Wyldewood Players present stage performances throughout the day.

Some of the scheduled shows of the Wyldewood Players are listed here, the rest are unannounced events that happen all day throughout the Village of Warwick, so you’ll just have to keep an eye out.

Stage Antics Of The Wyldewood Players:

The Warwick Inn:

The Warwick Inn houses town notables and lesser nobility which the inn keeper and her servants try to keep happy. The result is a "faulty tower" of fun and mayhem. Inside the Inn is an intimate sit-down pub with an interior balcony open to the second floor, where the unscheduled antics take place all day. On the outside, you’ll find these hysterical adventures.

Scheduled Antics Take Place At - 11:15, 1:30, 5:00

Braggart's Row:

Braggart's Row Next door to the Warwick Inn lies the worst real estate in the shire, peopled by the worst beggars, scallywags and rogues in the shire. Visting here, encamped where rent is cheap and folks are willing to listen, is... Rogues Survival and a Bear Baiting will entertain young and old, rich and poor.

Scheduled Antics Take Place At - 12:45, 3:30

The Laundress Lair:

Across the green from Braggart’s Bow sits the village’s wash pit, where shows are presented in honor of the day, and little real work gets done. Bubbling with mischievous energy, the wench show proves if you never do laundry sober, you'll always have loads and loads of fun! Come on over to the wash pit and hang your troubles out to dry! The Washing Well Wenches Show...Good clean fun, wet dirty women. Danielle Dupont, Kitty Turner.

Scheduled Antics Take Place At - 12:00, 2:45, 4:15

The House of Physic and Graveyard:

Here in our humble village lies a place devoted to the secret sciences and mysteries of the earth, an institute of higher knowledge and service to the troubled. If a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, meet the most dangerous man in Warwick... Enoch The Alchemist... as he and his faithful servant presents, The Book of Doom! - A lighthearted look at the end of all things.

Scheduled Antics Take Place At - 11:15, 12:45, 3:30

The Trial & Dunke Stage:

Court Of Sessions... The constabulary mete out justice in fetid depths of Frogge Pond twice daily. The accused are placed in the dunking chair to be dunked at the Sheriff's pleasure.

Scheduled Antics Take Place At - 12:00, 4:15

Royal Performances at Festival Stage:

Her Majesty's Court:

Her Majesty and her courtiers amuse themselves and you with games, courtly revels, and children's knighting ceremony.

Scheduled Antics Take Place At - 12:45

A Courtly Duel:

The court demonstrates their dazzling dueling abilities with rapiers, chivalry, and wit!

Scheduled Antics Take Place At - 4:15

Stage Performers:

We boast a top-notch lineup of Renaissance style acts, variety performers, and circus arts. Thrill to feats of daring and skill, laugh to uproarious comedy and storytelling, and marvel at the pageantry and beauty brought forth for the day’s enjoyment.

Warhorse Productions:

An exciting recreation of a 16th Century Tournament Joust á Plaisance.  A live, full-armored joust and swordplay performance.  Don’t miss this keystone event of the festival!!

Puke & Snot:

NEW!  Puke and Snot, yes, that’s their names, are the longest running comedy act in North American renaissance festival history. This “Renaissance vaudeville duo” has been a must-see act at Festivals for decades, and now You get to see them at the Sterling Renaissance Festival for six weekends, opening to August 11th!  

In fact, 2024 is their 51st year of spewing carrot bits and witty banter while clashing swords and insults in what they call “high-fashion comedy with deadly weapons.”

Juggling Geoff:

Don’t watch the circus, come be a part of it!  Geoff Marsh’s physics-defying tricks and dangerous juggling stunts are pulled off with ease, but his personality alone will capture and intrigue everyone regardless of age!  With as much heart, as he has talent, Geoff gives a show to remember when the kids become the star of the show: a witty, fun-filled, interactive performance of unthinkable yet hilarious juggling feats, musical plate spinning, audience participation, and much, much more!

Cirqa Brava:

Cirqa Brava’s high-flying acrobats mesmerize & delight with their one-of-a-kind aerial & circus spectacle! Blending razor-sharp comedy with breathtaking beauty, these ladies’ antics will turn your world upside down, inside out, and leave you tangled in laughter!

Sky Kings Birds of Prey:

Dedicated to the education and preservation of our planet's wildlife, this show features Falcons, Hawks, Owls, Vultures and other interesting birds. Their program focuses on the natural history, unique traits and abilities of these incredible animals.

Clan Tynker Circus:

The Clan Tynker Circus is a family of traveling performers who take you by the hand, leading you into their world of wonder. You will laugh, clap and be amazed through the whole show, and on the edge of your seat for the Danger Finally!

Theatre of Fools:

The Wacky Chicken Show! Inspired by Shakespeare's ****-combed fool, Theatre of Fools brings you on a hyterical joyride of absurd theatrics.

Emry's Fleet:

The Big Rat Show is comedy noir. Her Majesty has declared the Big Rat Show to be a royal shift of whit!  Featuring Wilber, the Dancing Weasel.  “You’ll feel like you’ve had a nap!”

Washing Well Wenches:

Good clean fun, wet dirty women.  The Washing Well Wenches are the funniest pair of “ladies” you’ll ever meet!  Part vaudeville, part sketch comedy, full-on entertaining, the Washing Well Wenches make interactive theater fun for everyone!

The Harmless Danger Juggling Show:

A madcap comedy show with more surprises than you can shake a baby at! It's a funny juggling show with serious consequences. Dangerously daring deeds of dexterity done dumbly.

Nature of Mercy:

Dueling school for the children of the realm. The Captainchallenges the children to a duel in the streets!  This highly energetic and interactive sword fighting comedy show teaches children (and adults?) the power of honor and compassion.

Looney Lucy:

Like Venus, but with arms.

Giacomo The Jester:

Magic ropewalking and extremely obnoxious behavior.

Morganeagle Falconry:

Raptor display located at the old wash pit! Educational talks on the sport of falconry, and daily demonstration on the field of Honor.

Music:

The streets are filled with merry tunes from the many musicians and minstrels of Warwick! Dancing, singing, and revelry are abundant at the festival; whether you fancy a raucous pub song or a jolly toe-tapping melody, our skilled musicians of different genres will be entertaining the masses all festival long.

Crannog:

Crannog is known for their adventurous arrangements of traditional music. "Thrash Celtic" at its best, they feature primarily Irish songs and Celtic tunes set to fiddle, concertina, percussion, guitar and vocals.  

Cantiga:

Plays ancient airs and dances featuring harp, viola da gamba, and violin.  A free-spirited playfulness is characteristic of Cantiga’s sound, bringing the ancient songs to life for a modern audience.

Empty Hats:

Celtic music “unplugged…but wired.”  

Jim Hancock & Friends:

A celebration of songs, encompassing maritime, love, drinking, and the best that Jim can find.  He plays with everyone, and helps lead the band at the Pub Sing.  Come sing along on your old favorites, and learn some new favorites!  Jim Hancock.

Lord Cailean Carmichael:

Scottish emissary to Her Majesty Elizabeth’s Court.  He can be found playing the bodhran or other instruments at any opportunity.

Merry Mischief:

A merry and mischievous band of minstrels play toe-tapping tunes, ballads, lovely ditties, and hug you with music!  

Wolgemut:

Ancient bagpipes and bombastic drums!  Early music for modern minds.

Royal Marketplace:

The Festival's Artisan Program has long been known for its diversity and high quality. Artisans come from all over the country to participate in the Festival, bringing with them a multitude of talents and skills, many having won awards for their creations.

Armour & Weaponry

Mardigan's Maile by: Chris & Kelly Christopulous
Starfire Swords by: Maciej Zakrzewski
Warlords Crusade Armory by: Todd Silber
Primitives Archery Shoppe by: Jessica and Robert Garcia

At Your Service

Face Painting by: Liza Brant

Clothing & Costumes

Moresca by: Johanna Dun-Jones
Royal Rags Rentals by: Laura Bridson
Threads of Time by: Geoffrey & Lewissa Haigh
Heart's Delight by: Deborah Mesker
Bella's Baubles; Babes in the Woods by: Michelle and Wayne Brady
Skapa Leather by: Ginny Guedes

Footwear

Catskill Mtn. Moccasins by: Sara Boudreaux

Games & Toys

Dragon Fly's Realm by: Fran & Brett Norsworthy
Janken Deck by: Jeffrey Daymont
Imaginarium Galleries by: Albert and Tony Alfaro

Hats & Masks

Lionheart Hats by: Kathel Miller-Smith

Hearth & Home

Blue Toucan Fairy Doors by: Chris Pallace
Crysalis Hammocks by: Terri Koithan and Marina Boratko
The Wooden Unicorn by: Emily Nekritz
Elder Earth by: Rick Figgins and Mikaela Case-Figgins
Arrakis Spice Traders by: Andrew Dorsey
Beas & Teas by: Stephanie Dorsey

Jewelry

The Coin Mint by: Hans Heinen
Clip Clocks by: Deanna Hubbard
Rainbow Weavings by: Stacy Kamas
Little Wing Studios by: Shirley Woodcock-Kolb
Silvernail Handcrafted Jewelry by: Stephen Silvernail
Wire Wrapped Jewelry by: Elizabeth Pehush
Changeling Jewelry Co. by: Anastasia Psaras

Leather Goods

The Leather Dragon by: Robert Sheremeta
Dacian Falx Leathersmith by: Geoffrey Hopkins
Skapa Leather by: Ginny Guedes

Metal

Casteel Galleries by: Billy Casteel
Ballena Bay Pewter by: Karyn Rivas

Pottery & Sculpture

Bakutis Design by: Jason Bakutis
Middle Earthenware Pottery by: Mark Presher
Ceramics by: Jason Ferguson

Specialties

Greenleaf Bookes by: Stephen Kester
Wassail Horns by: Kelly Bailey & Shelby Wimler
Hairlooms Wandering Flowers by: Jenifer Hopkins
Gypsy Wings Travel Bags by: Michael & Rebekah Paparella
Inch by Inch Weaving by: Deb Peruse
Fire Om Earth by: Craig & Lorna Trigg-Hirsch
Dusty Wire Faerie Creations by: Alexzandria Knight
Fairy Haven by: John Wells
Pixie Travelling Medicine Show: Benjamin Brightheart Pixie
Myth and Moonstone by: Jocelyn Amoroso
Valhalla Horns by: Ralph Brodie
Ocarinas by: Leo Brissette

Wood

Hollow Earth Swords by: Steven Archote
High Point Crafts by: Dennis MacDonald
Renaissance Hiking Sticks by: Byron & Arlene Miller
Black Swan Armoury by: Rick & Doug Marose
New World Mugs & Woods, Inc. by: Esteban Lopez

Hair & Body

Hairlooms Hair Garlands by: Linda New-Craig
KJ Kraftworks by: Kathleen Nelson and Abby Larson
Maha Lakshmi Henna by: Kelly Baker

Glass

On Glass Wings by: Phil Parkman
Art Glass by: Veena and Liam Cahlander-Duffy
Crystal Visions by: Teresa Teatro
Stained Glass by: Hannah Alvaro

Games & Rides:

If there is one thing the citizens of Warwick know best, it is how to have some pure, unbridled fun! Whether engaging in tests of skill or taking a spin on one of the many rides, there are fun and games in store for guests of all ages.

Test Of Strength:

Featuring: Victor P. Smith
Only the strongest may strike the bell with one blow of the hammer.

Tomato Justice:

Featuring: Wild Bill Enterprises
Therapeutic thrashing by hurling tomatoes at a restrained rogue.

Pillow Fyte:

Featuring: Wild Bill Enterprises
Seek soft vengeance armed with deadly feather pillows.

Axe Throw:

Featuring: Wild Bill Enterprises
Try your hand at the battle of the axes!

Knife & Star Toss:

Featuring: Marty & Mary Waisbrot
Ancient art of target shooting with oriental stars and blades.

The Maze:

Featuring: Wild Bill Enterprises
Find your way through this puzzling and colorful adventure.

Dart Toss:

Featuring: Rick Schulz
The Old English art of darts for all ages!

Ladder Of Truth:

Featuring: Wild Bill Enterprises
A test of balance and grace on a suspended rope ladder.

Silk Road Camels:

Featuring: Carolyn & Mike Rice
King of rides, ride of kings! Don't miss your chance to drive a Dromedary!
 
Emrys Fleet’s Rat Splat:

Featuring: Scarlett Rat Entertainment & Dragonfly’s Realm
A rat is a terrible thing to waste.

Archery:

Featuring: Wild Bill Enterprises
Choose your targets; beginners and long distance.

Mud Beggar Mayhem Ball Toss:

Featuring: Jon Sparacino and Eric Allen
Splatter the likeness of your favorite beggar!

Crossbows:

Featuring: Victor P. Smith
Fun and challenging for the young and the young at heart.

Dungeon Museum:

Featuring: Wild Bill Enterprises
Medieval Punishments and Executions.

Festival Feasting:

Many folks come to the festival simply to taste all of the Renaissance-inspired culinary sensations. The food and drink that await are sure to tempt any palate. Come experience the scrumptious delights that will unleash your appetite and tickle your taste buds.

Food:

From hearty dishes to lighter fare, there is a variety of satisfying cuisine options for you to enjoy. A robust pound of succulent turkey leg and her Majesty’s steak-on-a-stake (marinated in a secret Renaissance rub) are dishes fit for a King! Try a grilled chicken or beef shish-ka-bob on a skewer -- loved by nobles and peasants alike -- and seafood salads served in a delicious bread bowl.

For those with a sweet tooth, dive into our mouth-watering desserts! Some sweet treats include hot apple dumplings, a cool refreshing strawberry shortcake featuring freshly baked biscuits topped with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, and the Festival’s one of a kind mile-high cakes that you must see to believe!

In addition to these tempting foods and drinks, there are treats being offered by wandering townspeople, such as hot pretzels, pastries, pickles, and much, much more!

The aromas of these delectable delights fill the air throughout the Festival. There are plenty of opportunities to sample a variety of foods from this era. See, taste, and smell the pleasures of the Renaissance!

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