Michigan Renaissance Festivals - Take a Trip Back in Time

Lords and ladies of the Great Realm of Michigan. Lend me your eyes and ears for tales of fairs across our beautiful land of the Great Lake State.

Ahem. Sorry, I got carried away there for a moment. But Renaissance festivals have become a Michigan tradition, and they've popped up over the state throughout the years. If you're looking for something a little different for family fun or a romantic weekend for two, read on for information on fairs throughout Michigan.

I've found reference to this festival online, and the links I've found all point to the Castle Farms website below. But the site doesn't list that the festival is still going on. You can still visit the site or call 231-237-0884 for more information.

• Charlevoix Renaissance Festival/Castle Farms website
  

The Derbyshire Renaissance Faire is held at Muskegon County Fairgrounds two weekends in June. Along with the usual Renaissance faire events, there is an archery tournament open to the public. For more information and to register, visit the archery page at the Derbyshire website.

• Derbyshire Renaissance Faire website
  

This one-day event includes arts and crafts vendors, Renaissance events such as costume contests, fighting and entertainment.  There are pony rides and a crafts tent for the kids.  This festival is held in Lake Bancroft Park in Ishpeming.

• Ishpeming Art Faire & Renaissance Festival website
  

Held in Ironwood in the beautiful Upper Peninsula one weekend in June. Experience the past before your eyes through history reenactments from the Society of Creative Anachronism and Tribe Woden Thor, a Viking/Saxon encampment. You can see a bellydance troupe perform, listen to Celtic musicians and visit a petting zoo. There's truly something for the whole family at this faire.

• Lake Superior Renaissance Faire website

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the above link no longer hosts the faire website and I cannot find another site for them. You can visit the Ironwood Chamber of Commerce website here for an event calendar or call 906-932-1122 and ask if the fair is still going on.

Mayfaire Renaissance Festival takes place over several days in late May at the Calhoun County Fairgrounds in Marshall. Live music and shows, combat and dancing are all part of the entertainment to be experienced at Mayfaire. Visit the fine shops, artists and crafts people and enjoy good food.

• Mayfaire Renaissance Festival website
  

The Michigan Renaissance Festival is the oldest festival in the state. It was founded in 1979 and has been growing and going strong ever since. It takes place in Holly, Michigan, located just over 50 miles northwest of Detroit and a little over 15 miles south of Flint. It's held on seven weekends from August through September.

Each weekend has a theme such as Highland Fling and Sweet Endings (think dessert), but every weekend has lots going on. Live shows - comedy, drama, music and more - are just part of the fun. This is where I first saw the Ded Bob show. You just haven't experienced the ren faire until you've been insulted by Bob.

There are many vendors for you to find that unique gift or pick up a trinket for yourself.  And you won't go wanting for good food.  You can buy American fare or more traditional ren fair treats like turkey drumsticks, so bring your appetite and your cash.

• Michigan Renaissance Festival website
  

Mid Michigan Renaissance Festival is held near Frankenmuth in Vassar, Michigan, on 50 acres of private land.  It takes place later than most of the other fairs in October and November 1st.  For all you Halloween lovers, there is a themed weekend with trick or treating called Haunted Hallows.  The overall theme of the festival is that of King Henry VIII's marriage to Anne Von Cleves.

• Mid Michigan Renaissance Festival
  

Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire near Kalamazoo is smaller than the Michigan Renaissance Festival but no less fun. Actually, I find it to be less commercial and more cozy. There are still plenty of vendors if you are looking to spend your cash for five weekends from July to August.

There are also excellent entertainers. This is where I first saw the band Tartanic that sadly for its fans has broken up. But you will surely see more talented musicians and actors at this faire as well as great food and fun.

• Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire website