About the Des Moines Renaissance Faire
For three glorious weekends in September, partake in all the pomp and pageantry that the Des Moines Renaissance Faire has to offer! Cross the bridge to enter the land of magic and mayhem. Stroll through the main gate and down the streets of a Tudor village. Admire the castle overlooking a jousting field; visit the charming merchant shoppes; savor fine food and drink at the feasthall and taverns; and enjoy acts from bawdy to muddy held nonstop at the seven stages.
Meet
the likes of royals and rebels, pirates and peasants, ministers and merchants!
But beware of stepping between a knavish Spanish knight as he taunts an
honorable English knight - you may get caught in swordplay. Keep a hand
on your purse and your woman as pirates wander by, or you might lose them
both. Cheer the Queen and her Royal Court as she takes her daily promenade.
Help the Good Sheriff snare the robber bandits and toss them in to jail
- or dance with faeries in a magical glen.
When hunger strikes, the aromas of roast turkey legs, freshly grilled wild game, popped kettle corn, and more will guide you to the food merchants. Sit at a pub and enjoy a Scotch egg, buffalo burger, bowl of soup, and even homemade root beer linger on your tongue. For dessert, partake of chocolates, crepes, funnel cakes, baked goods, and more.
Explore the quaint shoppes lining the streets of this ten-acre English village. Try on Scottish kilts, Celtic capes, Renaissance dresses, Elizabethan hats, and even period undergarments. Outfit yourself with a leather jerkin, or purchase a good-luck geode. Or simply have your hair styled in the latest Renaissance braid or sport a henna tattoo for a new you. Lastly, you'll find quality handmade wares for home decor and gift-giving - including toys for children, jewelry for women, and weapons for men.
Join us for seven days (10am-6pm) with each weekend featuring a different theme:
- September 1-2-3 - "Pirates, Wenches & Rogues" - Canterbury-on-Sherwood will be invaded by a regional re-union of Pirate enthusiasts, comedic tavern wenches and roguish yet fun characters from the four corners of the Olde World.
- September 8-9 - "Vikings, Knights & Bravehearts" - Speaking of invasions, our 2nd big weekend brings to life the Norman Conquests in the guise of the Skjaldborg Vikings, a colorful display of chivalry with numerous armored knights and Clansmen of the Scottish Highlands in a sweeping view of history.
- September 15-16 - "Romance, Wine & Revelry" - Nuptial wedding pageants, ceremonious vows, much joyous music and dance, love in bloom, hugging and kissing allowed...all of this to the fyne taste of various wines in the Summerset Vineyard tavern.
Produced By
The Des Moines Renaissance Faire is produced by Sleepy Hollow Sports Park and Fest LLC.
More details will be posted as Labor Day Weekend grows nearer. (If you are looking for the Iowa Renaissance Festival in the Amana Colonies, previously held over Labor Day Weekend, that event has moved to new Spring dates so everyone can come visit the new Des Moines event.)
