Now in its 30th year, the Sterling Renaissance Festival will continue to feature old favorites, as well as new additions and a handful of returning shows brought back by popular demand.
Angela Kershner / The Citizen
Relive the days of Shakespeare at the Sterling Renaissance Festival
Relive the days of Shakespeare at the Sterling Renaissance Festival
The festival, which kicks off Saturday, will offer a few new themed weekends this summer. As in past years, each of the seven weekends will have different promotions and motifs. New this year will be Pirates Weekend, Patron Appreciation Weekend and Celtic Celebration Weekend.
“We tried to come up with something that would give a lot of different people, a lot of different experiences,” said Melissa Fleischmann, marketing and promotions manager. “On each themed weekend, we've added something special.”
Fleischmann said some of the weekends are tailored to different groups. The Children's Weekend, which is a returning theme, tends to work well for families, since there are prizes and discounts for children. Another returning weekend, Romance Weekend, is geared toward couples.
“You can renew your vows or purchase gifts for a loved one,” she said.
Other returning themes are Artisan and Amber-Bock/Grande Finale weekends.
During Pirates Weekend, guests can participate in a costume contest - though weapons should be left at home. One adult and one child will win an authentic wooden sword and a children's practice sword and shield, respectively.
At Patron Appreciation Weekend, guests can enter to win a trip to the United Kingdom. The festival will also sell 30th Anniversary T-shirts for $3 that weekend.
Festival attendees will have many other opportunities to win big this summer outside of individual weekends. The festival is implementing a treasure hunt feature each day during the seven weekends. Winners of the hunt will receive $1,000. For each day during the festival, a new riddle will be posted on the front sign - whoever solves the riddle and finds the treasure first will leave with $1,000.
There will also be a raffle for a custom-painted Harley-Davidson Road King in celebration of the 30th-year anniversary. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society, the Girls & Boys Town and the March of Dimes.
Colorful shade canopies have also been added to the festival grounds this year at the Bankside and Mudpit Stages for added comfort during hot or rainy days.
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net
“We tried to come up with something that would give a lot of different people, a lot of different experiences,” said Melissa Fleischmann, marketing and promotions manager. “On each themed weekend, we've added something special.”
Fleischmann said some of the weekends are tailored to different groups. The Children's Weekend, which is a returning theme, tends to work well for families, since there are prizes and discounts for children. Another returning weekend, Romance Weekend, is geared toward couples.
“You can renew your vows or purchase gifts for a loved one,” she said.
Other returning themes are Artisan and Amber-Bock/Grande Finale weekends.
During Pirates Weekend, guests can participate in a costume contest - though weapons should be left at home. One adult and one child will win an authentic wooden sword and a children's practice sword and shield, respectively.
At Patron Appreciation Weekend, guests can enter to win a trip to the United Kingdom. The festival will also sell 30th Anniversary T-shirts for $3 that weekend.
Festival attendees will have many other opportunities to win big this summer outside of individual weekends. The festival is implementing a treasure hunt feature each day during the seven weekends. Winners of the hunt will receive $1,000. For each day during the festival, a new riddle will be posted on the front sign - whoever solves the riddle and finds the treasure first will leave with $1,000.
There will also be a raffle for a custom-painted Harley-Davidson Road King in celebration of the 30th-year anniversary. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society, the Girls & Boys Town and the March of Dimes.
Colorful shade canopies have also been added to the festival grounds this year at the Bankside and Mudpit Stages for added comfort during hot or rainy days.
Staff writer Anne Gleason can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 248 or at anne.gleason@lee.net