Ye merry ole time
Published 7:00 pm Saturday, August 20, 2011

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival kicked off its 41st year this weekend in Shakopee. - Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival
History is back in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival, the country’s largest Renaissance themed festival, is returning for its 41st season.
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival includes more than 500 entertainers, 275 crafters, and 120 food booths, all adding to the magic that entices visitors from across the nation.
The festival runs weekends and Labor Day, Aug. 20 to Oct. 2 and Friday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine off Highway 169 in Shakopee.
As patrons enter the festival gates, they are welcomed by roaming street characters, and they are slowly immersed into the sounds, smells and sights of an authentic 16th century village.
People can choose to spend time engrossed in the fine crafts and art demonstrations at one of the many artisan booths or participating in spontaneous theatre with one of the hundreds of street characters.
Visitors may venture into the Children’s Realm for an educational and entertaining experience or enjoy one of the dozens of shows while tasting some of the delectable treats the Minnesota Renaissance Festival has to offer.
The festival provides a unique shopping experience. Each shop contains handmade wares such as jewelry, pottery, worked wood, leatherwork, paintings, hand-blown glass and fine metal craftsmanship.
Artisans also demonstrate the long-established methods of making their craft. Patrons can learn many different historical processes from glass making to blacksmithing all in a day’s trip to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.
With more than 300 street characters roaming the village, it is inevitable to come face-to-face with the town beggar, the common peasant, the royal court and even the King and Queen.
The Children’s Realm at the Renaissance Festival offers free crafts daily, including Merlin’s Free Wand-making sponsored by the Children’s Museum of Minnesota.
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival started in September of 1971 on a 22 acre field in Jonathan, Minn.
More than 25,000 people visited the two weekend grand opening of the festival then named: “A Celebration of Nature, Art, and Life!” That celebration has since relocated to Shakopee and has grown to be the largest Renaissance Festival in the United States.
Minnesota Renaissance Festival
When: The festival runs weekends and Labor Day, Aug. 20 to Oct. 2 and Friday, Sept. 30, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine.
Where: The Festival is located on Highway 169, seven miles south of Shakopee.
Tickets: Admission is $20.95 for adults; $11.95 for children 5-12; four and under is free; Dogs $10.00 with registration. Discount tickets are available online and at participating Super America, Walgreens, Menards and Whole Foods Market stores.
Theme weekends:
• Italian Carnivale!; Aug. 20 & 21
• Royal Ale Fest; Aug. 27 & 28
• A Silk Road: Discover the Riches; Sept. 3, 4, & 5
• Highland Fling!; Sept. 10 & 11
• Wine, Chocolate and Romance; Sept. 17 & 18
• High Seas Adventure; Sept. 24 & 25
• Festival Friday; Sept. 30
• Shamrocks and Shenanigans; Oct. 1 & 2