Since June 2019, I have done my utmost to present to you all the little secrets, tips, and fascinating things about the Ohio Renaissance Festival through the blog. From interviews with the Queen herself to the best eats in the village, it feels like you should know everything by now. Right? Well, maybe not! Read on ahead to learn more about the festival!
#10: The Ohio Renaissance Festival is Turning 35
Inaugurated in 1990, the Ohio Renaissance Festival turning thirty-five this season. From its origins in a hilly field to the expansive playground it is today, ORF has added new areas, new acts, and new food for guests to come and enjoy. With the park growing more every year, who knows where we will be for our 40th!
#9: ORF was Originally Henry VIII/Anne Boleyn Themed
Back when the faire first began, it was set during the time of Henry VIII Sam Fields) and Anne Boleyn (Tamara Romo), lasting roughly from 1533 to 1536. Many ren faires across the country sport a Henry VIII backdrop for their village. It didn’t remain this way for long, becoming an Elizabethan faire the very next year. Do you think the faire would be different today if we had remained a Henry festival?
#8: The Village of Willy-Nilly has ‘Families’
Since the festival has been around for so long, many of our cast members have created ‘families’ that they belong to within the village. Groups like the Poodlefloggers, the O’ Greenhoes, the Scruffins, the Graves, and the Havok’s are all small groups that formed within cast and became ‘family’ while creating characters! These families are often multi-generational, with previous and veteran cast members adding new people as the years go by.
#7: The Jousting and Cincinnati Barbarians Shows are 100% Real Combat
Every season it amazes me how many people think that these shows are choreographed ahead of time. While the Human Combat Chess Match is a pre-structured fight with skilled actors from our cast, Joust and the Barbarians are absolutely real combat, real lances, and real falls! Remember that the next time you see a jouster hit the ground!
#6: Shipwreck Stage Used to be in One Piece
That’s right! The sight for your Pirate Stunt Show and so many wonderful performances used to be a whole ship. In 2018, it was split in two and a large stage was placed between the pieces to make for a larger audience area. Every year, the cast Pirate Guild comes up with a new name for the flotsam galleon and enjoys becoming a part of its crew.
#5: Community Support and Outreach
The Ohio Renaissance Festival does its part to help out our community. Over the years, we’ve partnered with Solvita Blood Center, Waynesville’s Merchant Association, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, and more so we can give back. Our hope is to encourage our guests to lend a hand where they can!
#4: Sister Faire Invasions
If you come to ORF and noticed a significantly increased amount of very well-garbed patrons wandering around in groups, congratulations! You’ve survived an invasion! Every season, fellow cast members from Bristol, KYRen, TNRen and even BARF travel across states to come visit ORF and hang out for the weekend!
#3: The Ohio Renaissance Festival is the 4th Largest in the County
There are roughly 200 faires, festivals, and celebrations that identify as Renaissance throughout the United States. The Ohio Renaissance Festival is thrilled to be the fourth largest in the county, with Nottingham Festival (California), Northern California Renaissance Festival, and the New York Renaissance Festival coming in ahead.
#2: ASL Translation Weekends
During the 2024 Fantasy Weekend, we invited the Hearing Speech and Deaf Center to come out to the festival and help interpret for the deaf and hearing impaired. This kind of accessibility service provides a lot to our guests and helps ensure that everyone who comes to the festival has the best time possible!
#1: Our Queen Elizabeth has been Played by Six Women
Since 1992, ORF has been graced with the skill of six different women who provided the role of Queen Elizabeth (1558 – 1603). Each one has brought something unique to the role; portraying her as the youthful romantic all the way to the unwavering monarch of England.
Laura Hunt Youngblut – 1992 through 1996
Allison Castle – 1997
Lisa Petersen – 1998 through 2006
Allison Satchwill – 2007
Erin Riddle Ruth – 2008 through 2010
Connie Pfeiffer – 2011 through Present
Feature Image by Checkmate Photography