Prepare thyself for merriment at the Thunder Bay Renaissance Faire, held Oct. 11-12 at the Murillo Fairgrounds in Murillo (the rural village outside Thunder Bay). This new cultural event invites attendees to dress in their best medieval or fantasy apparel, enjoy live entertainment, browse artisan booths, and sample from unique food vendors—all in an immersive environment with a medieval twist.
A feast for the imagination, a Renaissance Faire is a worthy distraction for anyone looking to get away from the stresses of modern life. Where else can you don a cloak, wander through a medieval marketplace, and watch valiant knights compete to unhorse one another? Or brush shoulders with a fairy, a wizard, a pirate, or a plague rat—all in the same crowd? The Thunder Bay Renaissance Faire is a family-friendly gathering for the general celebration of medieval life, while also embracing many levels of magic and fantasy, providing a welcoming, inclusive space for a wide audience of people to find their favourite themes within the faire.
This inaugural event is planned by a small—but mighty—group of passionate dreamers, schemers, and artists based in Thunder Bay. The vision of the Thunder Bay Renaissance Faire arose from a desire to highlight the magic and adventure that Northwestern Ontario has to offer. The planning committee found the perfect backdrop and hosts for the event in the Oliver Agricultural Society (OAS), the not-for-profit organization best known for hosting the Murillo Fall Fair each year at the Murillo Fairgrounds. It was through this partnership that the Thunder Bay Renaissance Faire has taken shape over the last few months, and this lineup of medieval mayhem will please even the most discerning of nobles.
Attendees can look forward to a display of equestrian splendour, live music and theatrical performances, and interactive demonstrations. A jousting tournament will headline as the main ring entertainment: the Knights of Valour (the largest extreme full-contact jousting company in the world) will entertain the crowd with mounted medieval games and full-contact jousting. There will be multiple showings throughout the weekend, giving everyone a chance to cheer on their favourite riders during the chivalrous competition. The knights will offer war-horse rides between showings, and young squires can test their might with various medieval weapon games, including archery and spear throwing. Try your hand in combat with workshops and demonstrations by Superior HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts) or opt for the foam-padded swords in the LARPing ring. Follow your imagination in the children’s area with mermaid storytime, blow some bubbles with fairies, and participate in crafts and festival games such as sack races, cornhole, and ring toss. Live music, dance performances, and improv theatrics will take over Ye Old Stage and wandering minstrels and buskers will be found amongst the crowds. Learn more about medieval life and craft with a stroll through the educational exhibits, including bookbindings, live oil paintings, a static falconry display, and Elizabethan madrigal singing demonstrations by a polyphonic choir. There will be a charming merchant marketplace where one can find whimsical wares from local vendors, artisans, and artists. Categories of wares will range from jewelry, clothing, leatherwork, herbals, and ceramics, to weaponry, blacksmithing, stained glass, woodworking, and more. And of course, pick up some tavern grub from any one of the unique food vendors.
The true magic of a Renaissance Faire comes alive in the costumes. Attendees are encouraged to dress in their finest garbs of whimsy and fantasy. Renaissance Faire attendees are known to wear a myriad of outfits inspired by the history and mythology of the Middle Ages or Renaissance. Prepare to meet people dressed in robes of King Arthur’s court at Camelot, Nordic Viking attire, Shakespearean couture, pirate slops, or even fairy garbs. There is plenty of room for imagination.
Whether ye be a noble lord, a wandering bard, or a curious peasant, all are welcome to feast, frolic, and forge unforgettable memories at this bustling fantasy faire. Day passes are available for Saturday and Sunday, purchased in advance or at the gates. General admission is $20 CAD, with seniors (age 55+) and children (ages 6-10) admitted for $10 CAD each. Children under 5 years of age are free. More details, including a preferred rate code with faire partners at the Delta Hotel in Thunder Bay, can be found online: oliveragriculturalsociety.com/tbrf.
Huzzah!—Stephanie Simko
