Be sure to come early before the gates open to catch the opening ceremony!
Hear ye! Hear Ye! This weekend kicks off the Ohio Renaissance Festival! Located just a short drive from Dayton in Harveysburg, OH, lies a 30-acre recreation of an English Village that takes you back in time to the 16th Century. No time machine is necessary to experience a day full of stage shows, actors, vendors, food and even the Queen herself! It’s a great day to share with the family and friends!
This weekend (Labor Day weekend) is the opening weekend for the Festival. It runs every weekend form now until October 29th on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30am-6pm rain or shine! Tickets can be bought online or at the gates and range from $22.50 for adults and $12.50 for kids (kids under 5 are free!). Opening weekend is a steal as Adults are BOGO and kids under 12 are free! Each weekend has a different theme such as Time Traveler’s Weekend, Pirates Weekend, and even Trick or Treating the last weekend that it is open! Be sure to bring $3 for parking! 
Jax from Food Adventures, wanted in on this festive event! So she gathered up her fam and drove back in time (via mini van) for a day full of food and fun! Hear are some of her favorite eats, must-sees and tips from the day!
Favorite Feasts and MUST EATS !
The upon entering the grounds, you’ll be taken back by the incredible aromas that fill the air! From traditional festival foods, to fun period inspired dishes, there’s something for everyone’s appetite! And of course, there is lots of ale and wine to cleanse the pallet and toast to the Queen!
Turkey Leg
Smoked Turkey Leg is a must eat!
This giant smoked drumstick is one of the iconic and most sought after eats at the festival. And it’s no surprise as to why! You’re handed the leg with the bone wrapped in foil to make it portable and easy to chomp into while you walk around the fair. Juicy and tender, this one is a must have!
Bread Bowls
Fresh baked bread bowls are served up overflowing with your choice of mac and cheese, beef stew, chili, potato soup or broccoli and cheese soup! These make a great dish to enjoy as the weekends get cooler! And are big enough to share!
Warm up with a hot bread bowl full of savory beef stew!
Roasted Corn
Who doesn’t love a smokey roasted ear of corn dunked into butter! This is also another fun food that you can eat and walk around with at the same time!
This festival is a perfect Food Adventure.
There is also a place on site that is a sit down restaurant dedicated to “Medieval Style BBQ.” We had to stop in and visit this spot…
Variety of smoked meats from 1572!
1572 Road House Bar-BQ & 3 Fools Pub
Famous for their award winning sauces and rubs, 1572 offers big servings and even bigger flavors! One of our favorite meals is the smoked jalapeno Texas style sausage! And don’t forget a side of the 1572 Tater Casserole! This is one of the places that the Food Adventures Crew will be back to for sure!
Tater Casserole
There are so many edible treats to indulge in! The Kings Nuts (roasted candied nuts), The Jerkey Kart (beef jerky), and The Pickle Kart (huge dill pickles), are all fun and easy options to snack on while perusing the fair! A full list of food vendors can be found here.
Beyond The Food
The Mudde Show
While the food at this Festival is outstanding, it’s just one of many fun adventures that you and your family will encounter at the Festival! There are shows and performances all day performed on 14 different stages! One of our favorites for adults is the Mudde Show. Be sure to sit back a few rows unless you’re ok with getting splattered with chunks of mud!
And of course, you can’t miss out on the Full Armored Joust! Watch Knights on their mighty steeds charge towards one another in a thrilling battle of the bravest! This is a family must see!
Got the little ones with you? Don’t miss out on their chance to be “Knighted” by the Queen during one of the Knighting Ceremonies! And be sure to stop and talk to the the actors along the way! The Fairies, a Mermaid and the Pirate all had special treasure to give to the kids!
Fairies will give your little ones special treasure sprinkled in Fairy Dust!
You’ll also find a variety of period themed games and rides for the kids to try! Be sure to have some cash on hand for these.
For a full list of festival performances, click here.
Want to bring home a treasure for yourself to remember the Festival by? There are over 150 merchants on the grounds. You’ll find anything from swords, to fairy wings, period costumes, and lots of jewelry! Each year the festival puts out a special Stein that can be purchased at the main gift shop. For a full list of vendors, click here!
Watch a Glass Blower create amazing glass vases!
Be sure to dress for the weather as the festival will go on rain or shine. The grounds can get muddy, so it would be a good idea to toss on a tall pair of pirate boots to keep your feet dry! Many visitors to the Festival even come in their own costumes! So go ahead and toss on a pair of fairy wings or dress up as royalty and come on out to a deliciously fun event!
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