To the Editor,

The Southampton Renaissance Faire, formerly held at the Walter Cecil Rawls Library in Courtland, will return to the area on Saturday, April 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, April 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Franklin-Southampton County Fairgrounds.

As always, the faire is free and open to the public

This year, guests are invited to enter the Kingdom of the Bards, and discover the arts and artists that were the soul of the age.

The Baronies of Marinus and Tir-y-don, as well as the Shire of Berley Cort will be present, representing the Society for Creative Anachronism, the world’s largest medieval living history organization. They will be joined by two other local reenactment groups, the Duchy of Cashel, a branch of the Adrian Empire, and the Kingdom of Cornucopia. Each group will have encampments that guests can tour as they learn about life in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Each of the groups will also engage in live-action sword and steel fighting tournaments, as well as archery tournaments throughout the duration of the event.

On stage and around the faire, period performers will be sure to delight onlookers! New this year, guests will be entertained by the Honorable Sir William Shakespeare, the 16th-Century London Theater Troupe, the Alleyn Apprentice Players, a performance of Romeo & Juliet Abridged by Lady Morgana and Jinx the Fairy, Fiddling by Joe Edwards, and dancing by Angora Tribal! Some crowd favorites will also return, including songs and stories by Lady Anya and Lady Anne Harwood, as well as Janna’s International Dance Studio.

Lining the lanes of the festival, patrons will find a colorful variety of merchants selling medieval weaponry, clothing, home goods, accessories, and gifts.

Children’s activities will be available in Legends & Lore, a realm of mythical creatures and stories from ancient Europe. In this fantasy land, there will be several kid’s games offered, as well as henna tattoos provided by Harris’ House of Henna, crafts, and more.

For adult patrons, Her Royal Majesty, the Queen has ordered a game of Human Chess, which will take place in the Royal Courtyard once each day.

Registration for the Queen’s Highland Games will also be available.

Concessions for the faire will be provided by KJ’s Country Kitchen, Sweet & Savory Crepes, the Boykin’s Volunteer Fire Department, Coastal Kettle Corn, Daisycakes Gourmet Cupcakes, and others.

For more information, please visit our website atwww.southamptonrenfaire.com, find us on Facebook, contact us atsouthamptonfaire@yahoo.com, or call 757-556-3887.

Grant Piersa
Courtland