The Upstate Renaissance Faire returns to the Chenango County Fairgrounds for its fourth year. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH – The Chenango County Fairgrounds will transform once again into a world of knights, storytellers, artisans, and costumed adventurers as the Upstate Renaissance Faire returns to Norwich on August 29 and 30, marking its fourth year at the venue. Gates open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, rain or shine.

Organizer Heather Baker, who owns and operates the fair with help from her husband and a close-knit network of vendors, said the event has grown steadily since its debut. “We have both [vendors and entertainment]. Right now, we're hovering around 50 vendors,” Baker said. “It's a very tight-knit, community all in itself. People go in full dress, take on personas, and they stay in character the entire time.”

A Market Place for Artisans

This year's vendor lineup includes period-appropriate armorers, leather-workers, potters, blacksmiths, woodworkers, and makers of hand-woven clothing. Some artisans will offer live demonstrations, including loom weaving and historical craft techniques.

“You're definitely going to find some jewelry. We have armorers, there's leather work, leather armor for arm bracers, belts, bags, things like that,” said Baker, “floral arrangements, hair pieces, walking sticks. We have a few blacksmiths coming.”

“We've got so many vendors this year,” Baker exclaimed. “They vary in what they do.” Baker listed things like a phenomenal woodworker who makes goblets, cups and wall décor, ladies coming in to do tarot readings and things of that nature, and one of the local bartenders in town who comes and provides beer and mead.

Several vendors are seasoned faire goers and will be in Renaissance period tents and garb, while others are not only new to Norwich, but to Renaissance Faires entirely. Baker says they are usually enthusiastic to be a part of the faire. They work with them and try to style them so they are period appropriate.

“We've got quite a number of vendors who really have never even heard of a Renaissance Faire, and they've just fully embraced it and love it,” said Baker.

Period Entertainment Across the Grounds

The Upstate Renaissance Faire has a full slate of performances that will run throughout the weekend, including: The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) an immersive history group who will perform live combat demonstrations; Thimbleberry the Wood Sprite, an interactive storyteller for the whole family; Timbalanced, a juggling performer; Daniel Greenwolf Celtic Magician, whose perfromacne involves firebreathing; Harpist Matthew Schwarz; and Morgan Eagle Falconry coming to do live demonstrations.

New this year they are bringing in an aerial acrobatist performing choreographed aerial routines with narrative elements. There will be a roaming busker providing music across the fairgrounds, and an additional storyteller. This is not an exhaustive list as organizers are still planning the lineups and stage presence.

Baker emphasized that all of the shows are family-friendly. “That's one of the things that we have really pushed for is keeping everything family friendly,” she said.

Food, Drink, and Local Flavor

A wide range of food vendors will be on site, including: Hocus Smokus BBQ, Sir. Palmer's Shack, All Things Delicious, Jammings, Freddy's Rockin' Lemonade, and Pepe's barbecue. All fairly local or regional places.

“It's a pretty wide range of everything,” baker said, “something that everybody will certainly enjoy.”

Beverage vendors include Dragonfire Distillery and Awestruck Ciders, who will serve alcohol with adherence to ID requirements and on-site consumption rules.

Baker mentioned that some vendors would be offering the classic Ren Faire staple of giant pickles. “Any typical Ren Faire goer will understand that's a giant pickle. It's phenomenal when you're hydrated,” said Baker.

Costumes, Character, and Community

Costumes are encouraged, and attendees often arrive dressed as knights, fairies, fantasy characters, or even pop-culture icons.

“You'll see a lot of people in costumes. A lot of patrons come dressed as modern day characters. You may see Star Wars people or Star Trek people wandering about,” Baker said comparing the ambiance of costumed attendees to those at a Comic Con “because it's an opportunity to dress up and immerse themselves in the character as well.”

The fairgrounds themselves take on a medieval atmosphere with period tents, banners, and vendor displays.

Baker explained that an immersive renaissance faire experience typically involves something avid faire goers call, “Ren Dirt.”

“If you've ever seen the Princess Bride where they are coming out of the forest looking dirty and bedragon, if you look like that when you leave, you had a phenomenal day at Ren Fair,” Baker said. “You were having fun, you leave with what's commonly referred to as 'Ren Dirt.' It's just dust from head to toe.”

Admission Information

Tickets are available at the gate. Costs are $17 for adults, $15 for kids 6-13, and kids five and under are free. Veterans and active duty military members get a special discount with ID, and firefighters, police, EMS, and nurses, pay $10 with ID.

Parking is free, re-entry is permitted with a stamp, and credit cards are accepted at the gate. Be mindful however that many vendors are cash-only and there are no ATMs on site.

If coming costumed, masks are permitted but you must remove them at the gate to to enter. No clothing with obscene imagery or symbols is permitted. Costume weapons are allowed if they are peace-tied and/or sheathed, and will be checked at the gate. To view the full costume rules find them on the Upstate Renaissance Faire Facebook Page.

What organizers hope visitors take away

“Honestly, as long as you have fun and enjoy the experience, that's what we're hoping for,” Baker said. “You're going to see a lot of things that you probably wouldn't expect to go see at a fair. There's not necessarily rides or anything like that. It's more craft vendors and an immersive interactive experience.”

For newcomers they recommend embracing the immersive nature of the faire, interacting with performers, exploring artisan booths, enjoying the creativity of costumed guests, and leaving with some 'Ren Dirt' on your boots.

“If you fully immerse in the experience and interact and embrace it, you will be dirty and hot and sweaty but you will be happy,” said Baker.

Find more information on the Upstate Renaissance Faire Facebook page found at www.facebook.com/UpstateRenFest

(They do not have website just yet so check there for updates, and rules.)