The Kansas City Renaissance Festival is celebrating its 43rd Season! Come and be a part of this long-standing tradition by visiting the festival grounds in Bonner Springs, KS. The event runs rain or shine Saturdays and Sundays, 10am-7pm, from August 31st until October 14th as well as Labor Day and Columbus Day (closes at 5pm this day only).
There is an amazing amount of free family activities included with your admission ticket. The Children's Realm offers a special area with shows, outdoor play, and crafts geared toward the younger set. Throughout the Festival grounds, you'll find the Enchanted Forest where you venture into the shaded garden that has been transformed and filled with fairies, pixies, nymphs, and other magical creatures that now call the forest their home, Mermaid Cove to watch mermaids as they dive, flip, and twirl majestically in the water (if you’re lucky, they may share a token of their magic with you), Grand March Parade that happens daily at 12:30pm when the Royal Court and other Festival Entertainers joyously greet all Festival Goers, Joust matches with armored knights every day at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 5:00pm on the Joust Track, and Maypole ribbon dancing celebrating the seasons. Your family can take turns sitting on the Throne of Swords, play Villager Bingo to win a FREE festival ride (pick up your card at the Info Booth at the Front Gate -- all day!), relive history and meet King Henry and Queen Elizabeth at the Festival, visit the Petting Zoo with a unicorn and many new animal friends such as goats, rabbits, pigs, and so much more! The Games and Rides page lists Family Friendly options, and the entertainment page provides info on shows, etc.
Everyone will enjoy the new 2019 attractions featuring Aerial Acts and Viking Invasions along with other performances (jugglers, magicians, sword fights), artisan and vendor booths, and festival food to keep your visit packed full of fun! Each weekend has its own theme with unique activities. Week 1 (Aug. 31, Sept. 1 and 2) is Swashbucklers and Sirens: tattoo competition, treasure hunt; Week 2 (Sept. 7 and 8) Shamrocks and Shenanigans: limerick competition, Irish step dancing; Week 3 (Sept. 14 and 15) Barbarians at the Gate AND Fur and Fury Pet Weekend: beard competition, pet costume contest; Week 4 (Sept. 21 and 22) Celtic Games: kilt contest, highland games; Week 5 (Sept. 28 and 29) Wine and Romantic Rendezvous: wedding of the century, longbow championships; Week 6 (Oct. 5 and 6) Whimsical Wanderlust: fantasy mask competition, steampunk costume contest; Week 7 (Oct. 12 and 13) Oktoberfest with steinhoisting competition and lederhosen relay race AND Discovery Day (Oct. 14). Adults can also purchase tickets for different alcohol and food tastings. Children might enjoy Fairy Time Treats ($6/person) whereby The Fairies of the Realm frolic in the Enchanted Forest, share stories of adventure and merriment with young boys and girls (they can still see and hear them, after all), and bestow treats and a charming gift upon their young guests (recommended for children 6-12).
Festival Admission Prices are Adult Advance: $19.95, Child Advance: $11.50, Adult Gate: $22.95, Child Gate: $13.95, and Senior/Student Gate: $20.25. Children 4 and under are FREE. Advanced tickets are available online and at participating locations, and some local outlets feature discount coupons. Each weekend also offers various promotions to save on admission costs. These range from Harvesters Food Drive, Artisan Appreciation, Military/First Responders Weekend, Celebration of Cities (show proof of residency in featured cities to receive $3 off your admission tickets), College Weekend, Bikers Weekend, Dog Discount, Family Fun Weekend (Sept. 21 and 22), Regal Lords and Ladies Shopping Day, Scout Day, and School Day (only Oct. 14th). Visit the Promotions page to find out what options are available for the day of your visit or to help plan when you want to go!
TICKET GIVEAWAY: If you're ready to try your luck at winning a family 4-pack of tickets that can be used any day of the Festival, then please send me an email at lauras@macaronikid.com with the subject "tickets" along with your first and last name, ages of your kids, and your zip code, and you will be entered into the ticket giveaway contest. Everyone who enters must be a subscriber to the MK Northland KC newsletter, which means you receive the FREE weekly newsletter in your email, so by entering the contest, you will be signed up for the newsletter if not already. Normally there is only one entry for each email address, but if you suggest to a friend or family member that they should enter and that friend or family member lists your email address as a referral, you will receive an additional entry. Do you want your spouse or a grandma to subscribe and enter, then make sure they include your email for the extra entry! The contest is happening NOW, so email away! Congrats to Kelly in Excelsior Springs for winning the first ticket drawing! The SECOND drawing will happen at 9am on Friday, September 13th, and I will email the winner by 10am and make ticket delivery arrangements for use before the last day of the Festival on October 14th. The winner of the second drawing will have until Monday, Sept. 16th at 9am to reply before a replacement winner is picked. If you did not win in the first drawing, you will automatically be included in the second drawing.
Hope to see you at the Renaissance Festival! It's located at 633 N 130th St, Bonner Springs, KS 66012. If you need direction assistance, please call 913-721-2110.
