As a long running tradition, the yearly Renaissance Festival remains one of Kansas City’s most popular attractions. People travel from around the state to come to what is one of the largest fairs in the midwest. This year’s Renaissance Festival featured an immersive experience into the Village of Canterbury where King Henry the Eighth and the royal court are revived as part of the sixteenth century experience.
Visitors could travel between realms and interact with anyone from mermaids, to fairies, to figures from the past. This year’s unique actors included King Henry the Eighth, and various queens, princes, and princesses, including Barstow Junior Elizabeth Boyce.
“I enjoy working with my fellow cast members,” says Boyce ‘23. “Working with patrons like little kids, and making sure everyone can find something they enjoy.” Boyce ‘23 has been involved with the festival since she was four years old, starting out as an assistant in the children’s realm.
In the children’s realm, you could find exciting activities such as crafts and watching fairies or mermaids. This year’s fairy forest was suitable for all ages.
Jousts are one of the most popular features of the park. Knights fight on horseback for honor, a safe activity to view and be a part of, despite the dangerous nature of the activity. Jousting is a long running tradition of the festival, one that involves several varying levels of the activity, with three different styles getting consecutively more action-filled. These mock fights take place as part of the ongoing narrative of King Henry’s trip to Canterbury.
Walking around the shops in the festival is another popular activity. The shops have unique items such as handmade jewelry, time period appropriate clothing, henna tattoos, and food from the 16th century. Workers even imitate accents like that of the average London resident.
One festival goer, Junior Maggie Topas, spoke about the event, “It felt really fantastical,” she reflects. “The [Renaissance Festival] upholds the fantasy…it’s just pretty costumes, fantastical shows, and fun rides.” Topas isn’t the only festival fan. The fair has become enough of an attraction to necessitate an extension from one month to two and a half months, featuring multiple themed weekends.
For example, Week One’s theme was Swashbucklers and Sirens, a pirate theme, including visiting pirates from other festivals. Week Two’s theme was Highland Fling, with games such as keg toss, and extra kid’s activities. For Weekend Three, the theme was Heroes and Villains, with any kind of superhero being featured, from the court or not. This weekend was heavily advertised at Comic Con, with people traveling from across the country to participate.
Barstow students will enjoy the festivities and could enjoy bonding with their fellow classmate Lizzy Boyce at the next Festival.
