While it’s been going on for a few weeks now, that’s generally not a problem with the Maryland Renaissance Festival — because each new day brings something different.
Photo by Leslie Granda-Hill used with permission
“That’s what’s tough for me because I make recommendations to my family and to my friends but they never end up where I told them to go — they always run into a game or a friend or something else to do, Artistic Director Carolyn Spedden said.
That’s by design, mostly. While Spedden accounts for all of the professionals there’s no account for the other guests or the unexpected.
“We have people who come every day, and we also have people who have never been here before. Those groups come for entirely different reasons. For some it’s the background for their social circle, she explained.
Those are the attendees who meet with friends and sit to have a drink and relax. They’ll compare notes on costumes (and they do wear costumes even in 100 degree heat, Spedden said), sit, drink and hang out. Others might have more of an agenda-based trip, and while that’s a good idea going in, don’t be so hung up on it you miss something else, she warns.
The website contains most of the salient scheduling details, but you should expect the expected — jugglers, dancers, theater and music.
“We’re doing Hamlet this year, but no one has four hours to sit around so we’ve adapted it into two 50-minute acts,” she said.
Spedden admits to importing Celtic bands that will be appearing in the next few weeks. Also showing are acrobatic troupe Barely Balanced and jugglers the Danger Committee.
“It’s always a brand-new show, that way it stays fresh for everyone. When we have so many people so committed it reminds me of how important this show is for everyone,” Spedden said.
Photo by Howard Meile III used with permission
So when things like the weather refuse to cooperate, Spedden is rightfully a bit dismayed.
“The weather over the past few weeks has been kind of tough, and we’re open rain or shine regardless. But even though we’re in a park-like atmosphere it’s held up fantastically well underfoot. Honestly, we’re looking forward to the cooler temperatures — it’s the humidity that’s been the killer,” Spedden explained.
Apparently King Henry VIII never had to contend with Eastern Maryland weather, and if he did, he might have decreed short sleeves the very height of fashion.
But that would be a big change, and the changes to the Renaissance Festival are only a matter of degrees. Yet, that is easily enough to provide a different experience for each new person every time they go to visit the festival. So even if you’ve been before or have hesitated to this point before going yourself, check it out.
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