The Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire Opens on Saturday

The Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire opened on Saturday at Warsaw Park in Ansonia for three weekends of fantasy and fun. The annual Faire invites guests to enjoy a fantasy world set in a time long ago where magic is real.

All through the daylight hours and into the night, attendees can enjoy shows, live combat, comedy, action, music, and magic in various corners of the faire. There is also plenty of food available for purchase and vendors that are unique and often fanciful.

Each weekend has a special theme. The first weekend has been dubbed “Summerween.” The Faire gets in the spooky spirit, with trick or treating and creepy decor throughout the environment and a daily costume contest.

The July 4 weekend will be “Heroes and Villains,” when you are invited to dress as your favorite hero or villain. The final weekend of the Faire will have the theme of “Time Travellers,” when you can “jump in your Time Machine, Tardis, or Stargate and get thee to Time Traveller Weekend.” The theme includes the Renaissance.

On opening day, there were a large number of vendors displaying their wares, most of them evoking a bygone era.

DaVinci's Snow Cone Contraption is an attraction that had people climbing aboard the wheel and making their own snow cone. Sean The Whipsy Rover was teaching kids and adults how to crack a whip. Guests could test your skills at archery, axe throwing, spear throwing, and dagger tossing.There were blacksmithing demonstrations, custom designs by North Star Henna, and a scavenger hunt for young and old.

I enjoyed watching “Shakespeare Approves,” who appears at the first two weekends exclusively. “The Shakespearean adventures are a family-friendly, madcap, zany time where everyone gets involved, whether you want to jump onstage as a performer or enjoy the fun in the audience.

A first weekend exclusive is Falconry Girl, Margaret Young, and Birds of Prey. The Harmless Danger Juggling Show, featuring juggling and comedy, also appears the first weekend only.

Off the Mark with the Marx Sisters is a comedy duo that will appear for the first two weekends. “The Marx Sisters Crashiopia and Collideope are two farm girls from the town of Bumpkinton, destined for glory as ‘the greatest jousters never discovered.’"

Food choices include the requisite turkey legs and a lot more. I saw baked goods, Italian ices, potatoes, fudge, lemonade, mocktails, pickles, and fudge.

Remaining dates are June 29, July 4 - 6, and July 12 and 13. This year includes the added date of July 4. Tickets may be pre purchased at mfrenfaire.com/tickets

All fees are included in the price. The Faire runs from 11am-6:30pm every day, with a special afterhours Pub Sing and fire show on Saturday July 5th from 7-9pm. Faire is open rain or shine.

Adult (Ages 15+) $20, Child (Ages 5-14) $10, Young Child (Ages 0-4) are free.
Special Admission (Ages 65+, Veterans, Peace Corps, or Disabled Guests) $15
A Season Pass, which is good for admission on all Faire dates, $70
VIP Admission (Includes special merch, VIP seating, Coins of the Realm $35
VIP Season Pass (All of the above plus admission all Faire days) $110

On Saturday July 5 from 7-9pm the thrilling Fire Show and Pub Sing is included with the July 5 or you can purchase a separate fire show ticket.

Warsaw Park is located at 119 Pulaski Highway, Ansonia CT 06401

Parking for guests is free. There is quite a bit of parking on site. When that lot fills, additional parking is available a mile down the street at Ansonia High School, 20 Pulaski Hwy, Ansonia CT 06401. There are complimentary shuttles running nonstop between the school lot and the Faire.