Though the location has changed a few times, the Iowa Renaissance Festival and Harvest Faire continues to be one of the funnest Iowa events around.

IOWA RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 10
by John-Paul, ATF Staff Writer

This Labor Day Weekend we will be celebrating a birthday as the Iowa Renaissance Festival and Harvest Faire turns ten! In 1992 the event was originally held in Mason City, Iowa. It would relocate to the State Fairgrounds in Des Moines the following year and remain there until relocating to Amana Colonies in 2000. The 2000 event brought record breaking crowds. There were literally lines to get in all three days! (This year we assume they'll have more ticket takers to keep up with the demand.)

According to a press release issued this month, entertainment scheduled includes:

• Clann Tartan (living history encampment)
• Skaldborg (another living history encampment)
• Noble Cause Productions (jousting troupe)
• MacFarlane Live Steel (sword combat)
• Shattock Schoole of Defence (comedy fencing)
• Blackwatch Guards (the King's warriors)
• Thomas of Nothnagle (master lute player)
• Washer Well Wenches (Mistress Willa's comedy wench act)
• ...and more!

There are many new things for this year, and many returning items such as the Young-At-Art children's crafts area. The move to Amana also created some new "adult" experiences -- beer and wine! Amana-made beverages will be available, and there should be other local products. In 2000, the Amana Woolery offered embroidered blankets with the festival logo on them. Spiffy!

The festival will run from 11am to 6pm each day. For more information, visit the official web site at www.festint.com.

Look for John-Paul and Mistress Willa and introduce yourself!

-- John-Paul

Help keep us online. Book your travel here, or patronize some of these folke:

1. Des Moines Ren Faire (IA)
2. Iowa Ren Festival (IA)
3. Iowa-Minnesota Pirate Fest (IA)
4. Greater Quad Cities Ren Faire (IL)
5. Midlands Pirate Festival (NE)
6. Nebraska Ren Faire (NE)
7. Ren Faire at Sleepy Hollow (IA)

1. thescotsdragon.com
2. threegryphons.com

1. danzamystique.com
2. gypsycomedyshow.com
3. mydragonstories
4. phoenixswords.atthefaire.com
5. piratecomedyshow.com
6. queenbea.atthefaire.com
7. revelers.atthefaire.com
8. wenchville.com

1. anothercrappypodcast.com
2. atthefaire.com
3. crocolyle.atthefaire.com
4. perin.atthefaire.com
5. renbanner.net
6. renreporter.com
7. sirclisto.com

Host your site with ATF and be listed here! $50/year (and the publicity is free!)

Permanent festivals in our area: Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Bristol Renaissance Faire, Des Moines Renaissance Faire and Minnesota Renaissance Festival.
Other ATF sites: DisneyFans.com DMHauntedHouses.com