King Richard’s Faire, New England’s largest and longest-running Renaissance Festival, opens its 2012 season on September 1 and runs through October 21, 2012 on weekends and Monday holidays (Labor Day, Columbus Day). Tucked away on 80 acres of beautiful, enchanted forest off Rt. 58, King Richard’s Faire is a full day of live, interactive entertainment for all ages, including exotic tigers and a rare liger, daring knights jousting on horseback, and eight stages filled with song and dance.
Guests can mingle with royal subjects and performers, and tantalize their taste buds with the Faire’s delicious spit-roasted turkey legs, buttery ears of corn, boules filled with chowder and stew, ringlets of fries, champagne, wine and brew. Shoppers can stroll through the 16th century village filled with the wares of more than 100 unique and talented artisans. At every turn, guests will encounter minstrels, musicians, acrobats, stilt walkers, giant life-size puppets, mud beggars and more special surprises.
Each Saturday, the Faire hosts themed contests at 4 p.m., including a Cleavage Contest (9/8), Vow Renewal Ceremony (9/15); Biker’s Weekend – Royal Ink & Steeds Contest (9/22); Prince & Princess Costume Contest (9/29); Carvershire’s Got Talent Contest (10/6); Beard & Moustache Contest (10/13); Adult Halloween Costume Contest (10/20). See www.kingrichardsfaire.net under “Entertainment” and then “Themed Events” for rules and details.
Tickets are $27 for adults (12+) and $15 for children ages 4-11. Children under 4 are free, and parking is free. Discounts given to groups of 25 adults or more and private parties can be accommodated -reservations for all groups are required by emailing www.facebook.com/TheKingRichardsFaire), on Twitter @KRFaire, and on Pinterest.
