Hi fellow Kings and Queens! I hope you are all exploring! If you are looking for something a little royal, a little rugged and definitely exciting, then load your horse and carriage and head out to Larkspur, CO where you will find the most fascinating festival there is. The Renaissance Festival has been a highlight of summers all over the country for years. I myself love the Medieval period and love to pretend that I am a citizen of a small village, with a towering castle, king and queen and all the royal fixings. The best part about it is that kids can enjoy the festival too, there is so much for them to see and do that it really appeals to everyone in the family!
This festival really goes all out when it comes to making you feel like you have stepped back in time, to a land long ago ruled by a King and trampled on by knights. The costumes of every person who works there and the ones who visit, are true to the period and they even speak like they would in the Middle Ages. The shops and stages are truly Medieval and allow you to find a forgotten treasure that you must have. The food is fantastic and since everything is pretty much on a stick, you realize you are perfectly happy in the day and age that you are, where you can eat on plates with utensils. But, there are a few experiences that are at the top of my list when it comes to the festival. They mostly involve kids activities, but are sure to make you feel like you slayed the dragon!
A Royal Knight-
I recently discovered that the King and Queen of the Festival allow the children of the land to be knighted by them. The kids love it because their name is called out as “Sir so and so of the realm” or “the lady of the realm” and they kneel down and an actual sword is put near their head, in any other situation this would be terrifying, but in this case it is magical. It’s a really neat part of the festival, especially since you don’t have to pay anything for them to do it.
Jousting Competition-
I have watched the jousting competitions for years at the Renaissance Festival and love them because they are so exciting and really replicate the event that happened in the Medieval times. You get to sit on the grass, eat your turkey leg and drink your beer, it’s an exciting event for kids too, they are intrigued by people riding horses trying to push each other off with long sticks. It’s a must see at the festival, just make sure you find a shady spot to watch from.
Food on a Stick-
The food at the Renaissance Festival is great, I love the turkey legs, sausage on a stick, fried macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob on a stick and pretty much everything else. They even have frozen margaritas, which I am pretty sure were not served in the Middle Ages, but are definitely delicious. The prices are reasonable starting at around $2.99 up to about $8, the kids can find something they like and you can enjoy a royal feast for not a lot of money.
The Stage Shows-
If you don’t want to break the bank by shopping, which let me tell you will happen, their goods are really neat, but very expensive. Then watch some of the fun and educational stage shows. The stages are all over the park area and they range from adult themed stand up comedy, to presentations about animals and birds. The shows happen throughout the day and are free to watch, you can watch every single one in the park if you want!
Festival Costs-
The great part about this festival is that kids 12 and under are free! You can also get discount tickets for adults at King Soopers and Circle K. You can control how much money you spend and typically I budget for food and if the kids want a small toy. But, there is so much that you can look at and experience without spending anything. It’s a great time in the beautiful outdoors and everyone big and small will love feeling like they have joined in the jolly fun!
