Huzzah! Sandpoint Ren Fair brings medieval England to life

SANDPOINT — Huzzah! The Sandpoint Renaissance Faire is riding back into town.

Set for this weekend, the faire will transport the community and visitors back to the late 1500s, when Elizabeth I was on the throne and ruled over England. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, we salute you!" The cry arose just before the sharp clang of steel as swords slammed into each other during a combat demonstration at the 2023 faire. "Huzzah!"

No sooner did the sound of battle fade into the early summer air when another cry boomed in its wake.

"Make way for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen," a guard roared, causing the crowd to part ways, many dropping in a curtsy or a bow in respect.

You would be forgiven if you thought you'd stumbled through a portal in time, transporting you back to the Renaissance. But that's half the fun of the Sandpoint Renaissance Faire, which kicks off two days of fun as the Bonner County Fairground transforms into a small medieval village and faire.

"Through immersion, sounds, taste, and entertianment, let us take you back to the late 1500s England," co-founder Tanya Anderson said. "A true Renaissance era."

A time of cultural, artistic, and economic renewal, the period saw Elizabeth transform the country into a major power in Europe and the world. There is, as Anderson said previously, something magical about the period — and about being able to share it with others.

 While the event is designed to be fun, it's also designed to give a taste of what life might have been like in the 1500s, Sandpoint Renaissance Association officials said. It allows the community to visit a simpler point in time, have fun, and learn a little bit about the era in the process.

"I think it's just a nice window into a completely different time with a little fantasy thrown in there, a little excitement," Sandpoint Renaissance Association board member Stesah Quesnell said last year. "And I think that's a really beautiful thing that needs to be shared a little bit more."

The faire dates back to 2017, when members held the first event, prompted by a shared love of history and a desire to offer the community a chance to experience another time and place.

Anderson said its origins can be traced to a conversation following Sandemonium — a celebration of all fandoms of genres ranging from comics, sci-fi and fantasy to video games and cinema. Faire co-founder Anita Pew had volunteered at the event and had a blast.

Pew immediately saw how a similar event could be held to celebrate the Renaissance period. There is something about the era — the clothing, culture, food and language — that both Pew and Anderson loved. So after the Comicon ended, Pew called Anderson and threw out the idea of creating such an event.

Plans for the first faire began immediately.

Expectations were minimal for the first event. They hoped Anderson and Pew said at the time, that a few dozen people would come. Instead, they welcomed more than 1,500.

In 2022, the faire moved to the fairgrounds after two years at the Wild Hearts Equestrian Ranch. Then, as last year, more than 3,000 people turned out for the weekend-long celebration of all things Renaissance.

Since the 2017 faire, the event has grown  "with love and support" from the community, participants, board members, and most importantly, its fans, Anderson said.

All, she added, have contributed to the Sandpoint Renaissance Faire's success.

The faire features everything from music, magic, dancing and comedy to combat, feasting, and aerial arts. Held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the event is being held at the Bonner County Fairgrounds, 4203 N. Boyer Road.

A jousting tournament featuring the Seattle Knights, one of the premiere theatrical jousting troupes in the Pacific Northwest, will be held at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day. In addition, faire organizers said there will be performances by magicians, comedy and more.

"We went into the first year not knowing what to expect or how many people to expect," Anderson said in 2023. "Now we have so many various acts, demonstrations, and, for the first time ever, a tournament of events, an abundance of food to choose from, and something around every turn of the faire to immerse yourself in."

In addition to food booths, including one with the "infamous turkey legs," the VFW Vietnam veterans will be hosting an ale booth with proceeds used to support veterans with PTSD, Anderson said.

Daily tickets at the gate are $18 for adults; $14 for seniors and youth ages 6-17; and free for children 5 and under. A weekend pass is $32 for adults; $24 for seniors and youth ages 6-17; and there is no charge for youth 5 years and under.

Information: sandpointrenfaire.com

    Tanya Anderson, dressed as Queen Elizabeth I, is pictured at a Sagle castle. This weekend, Anderson and the rest of the Sandpoint Renaissance Faire will transport the community back into the 1500s and the rule of Queen Elizabeth I.
  

    The Sandpoint Renaissance Faire is still looking for volunteers this year.
  

    A aerial artist performs ribbons at the Sandpoint Renaissance Faire participant strolls through the Bonner County Fairgrounds.