The 16th-century storybook village of Fairhaven will again open its gates to visitors during the 32nd annual Arizona Renaissance Festival beginning Feb. 8.

For eight weekends, thousands of costumed characters will prepare for the fictitious Queen Katherine’s visit with revelry fit for royalty. The village is brought to life with acrobatic cats, folk dancers, mythical creatures and storytellers that roam the pathways.

Artisans sell clothing, jewelry and leatherwork as comedians and musicians take to the stage to show off their talents. Games and challenges include escape rooms, target shooting and paintball. And foodies can gorge on a Spanish-themed menu at the “pleasure feast” — a five-course, 90-minute-long meal in a medieval hall — as performers present occasionally risqué live entertainment.

The Arizona Renaissance Festival is “a mixture of history, fairy tale, fantasy and a bit of ‘Monty Python’ movie come to life,” said Jeff Siegel, the festival’s producer.

Renaissance Festival highlights

With entertainment by 500 performers that spans 30 acres and 14 stages, the 2020 schedule is chock-full of hypnotists, jugglers and performing pups.

“We talk about escapism in a positive way; the world’s complicated and more and more high tech,” Siegel said. “We’re hoping you can forget about your car payment or your dentist appointment or your test at school.”

While most of the entertainment is suitable for all ages, the schedule notes the acts that may include risqué humor.

Those hoping to take part in the pleasure feast should reserve their $75.95 seats (which includes the cost of admission and a souvenir) in advance on the festival’s website; several dates, including opening weekend, are sold out. The menu, which can be found on the festival’s website, includes grilled shrimp and chorizo, leg of lamb, quartered chicken and bread pudding.

While dressing to theme is optional, those who want to get in the renaissance vibe can purchase 16th-century garb at Belrose Costume Shop outside the main gate.

“The renaissance festival, in large part, is a giant costume party,” Siegel said. “Leave your cares behind for a few hours.”

What’s new for 2020

Last year’s festival marked the debut of the escape rooms, and the 2020 fair doesn’t have any major new installations.

Logistical improvements have been made in parking and seating, Siegel said. Some attendees might notice a pop-up pub that organizers hope to turn into a wine bar in the future.

New acts this year include “The Puppies of Penzance,” a take on the opera “The Pirates of Penzance” that sees canines manning a ship. The Langer’s Ball brings Irish folk-punk music, while April Flowers performs the banjo for school-age children. Children can also delight in Pirouette, who dances en pointe in her musical magic box. Visitors will likely come across newcomer Shamus the Insulter, who will wander the grounds and issue pointed barbs. Consider yourself warned.

Must-see acts

Whether an act is new to the Arizona festival or has been performing for all 32 years, new material and improvisation keep the material fresh from year to year, Siegel said.

“Some of their shows are like your favorite sitcom in syndication,” he said.

As the event’s producer, he cannot choose a favorite act. But Siegel noted that some performers are especially popular, including:

• Hey Nunnie Nunnie.
• The Tortuga Twins.
• Don Juan & Miguel.
• The Jousters.

Nicole Skelly is bringing “The Gwendolyn Show,” an interactive comedy show involving improvised fairy tales, for her third year.

“I love the absurdity and ridiculousness that being Gwendolyn allows,” Skelly said. “She takes things a bit literally and gets confused sometimes. She’s a little child-like, I guess.”

She spins new stories from classic tales, often incorporating pop culture references and Shakespearean plots.

“I try to make the stories accessible for all ages — so that kids can understand what’s happening with familiar fairy tales, and adults get a little extra with a smarter or (innuendo-incorporating) joke.”

Coupons and discounts

Tickets purchased at the gate cost $28, $25 for age 60 and older and $18 for ages 5-12 years old. Admission is free for kids 4 and younger. Here are ways to get free or discounted admission:

• Get a coupon good for two tickets for $28 at participating Hall of Frames, Bookmans and Cobblestone Auto Spa locations in Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tucson. The coupon must be redeemed at the festival ticket booth and is good on Feb. 8, 9 and 17. Hall of Frames offers a downloadable version of the coupon at hallofframes.com.
• Save $2 per ticket by buying in advance at Fry’s Food Stores.
• Buy in advance on the festival’s website to save $1 per ticket.
• To get free admission for children under 5, you must buy your adult ticket at the festival.
• The weekend of Feb. 29-March 1, children ages 5-12 get free admission with a donation of two books to Kids Need to Read at the festival gate.
• Saturday, March 21, is LGBTQ+ day and the promotional code LGBTQ can be used online for a discount.
• On March 28-29, those who donate three canned food items or nonperishables to the Apache Junction Food Bank at the gate can receive free admission for children.

Themed weekends

The Pirate Invasion and Time Traveler weekends are particularly popular, Siegel said.

“You’ll see the European royal court surrounded by stormtroopers from ‘Star Wars’ ” on Time Traveler weekend, he said. Here’s the schedule of themed weekends, which feature costume contests for adults and children:

• Feb. 15-17: Regal Royals, Monarch Monday. Deaf Awareness Day is Feb. 15.
• Feb. 22-23: Time Traveler weekend.
• Feb. 29-March 1: Pirate Invasion.
• March 7-8: Brewfest.
• March 14-15: Celtic weekend.
• March 21-22: Commedia Dell’arte and Festa Italiana weekend.

Arizona Renaissance Festival

Where: 12601 U.S. 60, Gold Canyon.

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 8-9, 15-17, 22-23, 29-1; March 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29.

Admission: $26-$28.

Details: 520-463-2700, arizona.renfestinfo.com.

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or at 602-444-4968. Follow her on Twitter @kimirobin.

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