How I Started

I feel as though I should share my first experience at the Renaissance Festival.

The first I went to the festival, I attended with my cousin. The only reason we actually went was because his job gave him two free tickets. While many people had attended the festival as children, I never did, so I had no clue what I would be in for.

Immediately we saw people dressed in crazy outfits, and all these different stores with things that I never knew I actually wanted. We went to so many different stores talking about how we were going to dress up and attend together again next year.

Sadly, my cousin joined the army and moved out to California, so I ended up not buying anything for the next year. I kept telling my mom how much I wished he was still home so we could go together. She ended up surprising me by taking me and buying me my first costume.

Photo Credit to Michelle Abendroth

Since then, she has always come with me when she can, and it has become a chance for me and her to bond over something we both share a passion for.

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

Let's Get Started

Now that most festivals have ended, its time to start looking towards the future. Just because the festival isn't until next year, that doesn't mean we can't start looking at what we want to do! I like to start planning my costume well in advance so I have plenty of time to look for the pieces and order them online.

If you want cheap pieces that may or may not look like the picture, definitely check out Ebay. This is where I purchased a few key parts of my costume this year.

Photo Credit to Michelle Abendroth

In the picture above you can see that underneath my skirt there is some brown fabric, this is actually a double slit skirt that came in and wasn't at all how the picture showed it. Since it was so cheap, I just positioned the piece so it added just a bit of layering effect. Another piece I got online was the green and black corset. This was much cheaper than going to an expensive online store, however, keep in mind that the quality isn't as good as an expensive corset.

If you don't want to risk getting cheap clothing, there are plenty of good websites that you can find cool options from! A few are:

Medieval Collectibles
Ravenswood Leather
The Tudor Shoppe

So Many Shows!

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

 Every year the shows and performances at the Renaissance festival changes up. Also, there is a large variety of shows for kids and adults to attend. Each show is has a sign outside the stage they will be performing on to announce the times!


The majority of the shows are kid friendly, but be sure to keep an eye out for the ones that are for a mature audience. They may be hilarious, but kids will be slightly mortified to hear some of the things they say!


The variety of shows can go from a hypnotist to gypsies dancing onstage.

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

Don't forget to check out shows with animals in them. The one in the picture below was focused on different types of birds, and even brought out a bald eagle!

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

Then there are even shows that get the crowd involved. For example, in the picture below there is a woman teaching many participants the basic steps of belly dancing!

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

Then there is another show for children that have fairies dancing with the children.

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

One of my favorites involves two men attempting to push the other into water!

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

Keep an eye out for a show you may enjoy!

The End is Here

For my local festival, and most likely for others as well, this weekend is the final weekend to attend the Renaissance Festival. So if you don't have any plans for this weekend, look into hanging out with some friends on the final days of the festival!

Most festivals have something special that they like to do on the last day. Most of the time they have a song and dance at the end of everyday, but on the last day they change it up or the shows are just a slightly different.

Don't forget that next will come around sooner than you think, and you'll be able to attend the festival once again! Comparing the ever changing shows and people who attend is the best part, so start saving up now!

Photo Credit to Jessica Abendroth

All the Gifts

What should I get for my friends and family? Would they even like any of this stuff? These are a few things people think when looking for gifts for family and friends at the Renaissance Festival. Most people that get gifts from the festival, expect them to be unique. So no matter what you get them, they will most likely appreciate it because they know this is the kinds of things you find there.

Here are some of the things you will most likely give away as a gift:

     1) An ankle bracelet would be perfect. Who wouldn't want one, even if it has a slight Renaissance style to it.

     2) A mug. There are many different types of mugs to choose from. Ceramic and wood are the main material options, but form there, the styles are far and wide. They go from shot glass, to the biggest mug you will ever see!

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

     3) Food. More specifically, kettle corn. This one of the safest and cheapest options out there. However, not everyone likes popcorn, so be sure to check first.

    4) A waxed rose is also a pretty easy and cheap gift. This was actually what I bought for my sister because she loves roses! Who doesn't love a beautiful waxed rose?

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

     5) Go to a gift shop stand. They usually have T-shirts and other options that anyone would love to have. This would be the safest option you will find when finding 'normal' stuff.

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

Even if you don't think your friend or family won't like some of the options, just remember that they are part of the experience. Maybe even pull a joke and give someone a stick from the ground. See if they laugh before handing them whatever you get, then they might appreciate it even more!

Harvest Huzzah!

This weekend is Columbus Day, so I have decided to talk a little bit about what my local festival in Bonner Springs is going to be doing!

On Saturday and Sunday, they have many different competitions. A few of them are Hula Hoop Competition, Tattoo Competition, Costume Contest, and Pale Ale Sausage Eating Competition. If you want to view the rest of the events on these days, click on this link: Renaissance Festival Themed Weekends.

On Monday they will be having their Harvest Huzzah! This is a school day, so most of the people going will be college students and up. So if you want to avoid younger children, this is your day!

Be sure to check out if your local Festival has any themed weekends. Some of them have had bring your pet days and more events.

Photo Credit to Samantha Abendroth

The festival is almost over for this year, but don't forget to start looking ahead to next year, there's always so much prep work that can go into these events!