If you make the 45 minute drive from Liberty, Mo. to Bonner Springs, Kan. between now and Oct. 18, you will find yourself in a new world, or rather, an old one.
The Renaissance Festival takes place every fall and you’ll find it “15 minutes and 500 years west of downtown Kansas City.” And even though I have only been once and that was a few years ago, it is one of my most treasured Kansas City and fall memories.
You can’t talk about the Renaissance Festival and not start with the food. The famed turkey legs are probably one of the most popular things about the Ren Fest. It’s not often that you can have an entire turkey leg for yourself; I know I can’t have one at the Crosley Thanksgiving. And while the menu includes a wide range of food, from cheesecake on a stick to scotch eggs, did you really go to the Ren Fest if you didn’t have a turkey leg?
Jessie Grosshart, senior, began officially working for the Renaissance Festival this season but helped out last season at the face painting booth.
“I think the atmosphere is what drew me to the Festival. Everyone is just trying have a great time and people are really goofy,” said Grosshart.
Grosshart commented on her favorite part of the Festival.
“While the food is outstanding, the performances are what I love. There are fire shows, jousting, and a whole myriad of different booths with all sorts of amazing crafts,” said Grosshart.
For those of you interested, there are still three more weekends before the Festival closes. The weekend of Oct. 3 and 4 is titled “Wine, Chocolate and Romance” and will feature activities such as a cupcake battle, vow renewals, grape stomping and an eating contest. The weekend of Oct. 10, 11 and 12 is the temptingly named “Oktober Fest” and will obviously have craft beer tasting but also trick-or-treating and a costume contest. The final weekend of the Renaissance Festival is Oct. 17 and 18 and is the “Pirates’ Ale Fest.” “The Harvest Huzzah,” a special event, will take place on Oct. 12 to celebrate Columbus Day.
Student tickets are $18.50 at the gate, but you can get an adult ticket in advance for $17.95.