Kansas City Renaissance Festival Transports Visitors Back In Time

Imagine walking along dusty 16th-century lanes lined with merchants of all sorts hawking their wares as the sweet sounds of the dulcimer play in the background. In the air wafts a mixture of mouth-watering smells, including roasting turkey legs, pastry and more.

Just as you begin to take it all in, a ruckus breaks out in the distance. The royal court in all its finery is making its way down the same path on which you stand. Complete with an armed guard, the court files past as peasants and merchants scatter to make way on the road, bowing with reverence as they go.

Once the procession passes, hawkers go back to hawking, artisans return to their trades, and your eyes are caught by the gleaming edge of a sword just now being polished to perfection by a master weapon smith.

If you think that’s a blast from Europe’s way back past, you’re wrong. It’s just a day at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival.

It’s true. For seven beautiful autumn weekends each year, Bonner Springs, Kansas, transforms from a modern town in Wyandotte County into a Renaissance wonderland complete with a royal court, merchants, seedy peasants, ladies in waiting and even knights in shining armor.

The sights, sounds and culinary smells of the Renaissance come to life for visitors as the production takes them back in time to a storied period that’s ripe with fun.

Billed as one of North America’s Top 100 events, the Renaissance Festival is practically synonymous with Kansas City and Bonner Springs. The even takes place on 16 acres of shaded festival grounds adjacent to Wyandotte County Park at 126 Street and State Avenue.

Visitors to the festival can count on being treated to the best the Renaissance has to offer without the downfalls. Complete with some modern conveniences, the festival gives its more than 100,000 visitors a month a very good idea of what life was like during the fabled period as they stroll shop-lined paths, watch shows and sample treats worthy a king.

A Kansas City tradition for nearly three decades, the festival is set around a 16th-century village that includes plenty of fun packed into its streets. More than 500 characters in full period regalia populate the village and visitors are welcomed, in fact encouraged, to get into the act by dressing in period costume to help the performers complete the scene.

For those with a penchant for shopping for unusual items, the festival is the place to be. With more than 160 shops to browse, even the most finicky of shoppers will delight. Wares for sale during a typical festival include jewelry, handmade glass items, weaponry, clothing, leather goods and more. You can easily become outfitted with a complete costume by visiting a shop or two and then stop by the armor smith to add some chain mail to your goodie bag or even a sword.

Those with a love for the music and action of the period will not be disappointed. Each of the festival’s weekends center around a specific theme, but during any weekend, visitors can be sure they’ll hear the sounds of the dulcimer, mandolin and harp. Plus, it’s a given that brave knights in shining armor will battle it out in a jousting tournament for the Queen’s honor. Crowds stand breathless as the brave, armor-clad knights rush toward each other on horseback with lances drawn at the ready.

When it comes to eclectic and unusual entertainment, it’s hard to beat a Renaissance Festival. Kansas City’s is perhaps one of the best with 13 stages offering an array of live entertainment. From period comedy stylings to musical performances, the fun and entertainment of the 16-th century plays out daily on the festival’s stages.

While adults enjoy the witty comedy shows and unusual artistry of the merchants, youngsters are sure to delight in not only the festival’s battling horseback clashes, but also the Children’s Realm. With games, shows and more for the youngsters, this area is designed especially for the little princes and princesses, offering them their own slice of history with a big twist of fun.

Generally staged between September and October, the world famous Kansas City Renaissance Festival is a production that should not be missed. With something for everyone, the festival brings the past to life in full color and pageantry.