Step Back into History at the 2015 Ohio Renaissance Festival

The Ohio Renaissance Festival in Waynesville, Ohio, offers an unforgettable journey back in time for the entire family. Annual visitors consistently rave about the immersive environment, where history comes alive through passionate, in-character performers and authentic details. Whether attending during themed weekends like the high-seas-inspired "Pirate Week" or exploring the grounds on a perfect 75-degree autumn day, guests are surrounded by beautiful scenery, rolling cornfields, and early fall foliage.

Non-Stop Entertainment and Attractions in Harveysburg

From the moment guests pass through the towering castle gates, they are greeted with an abundance of sights and sounds. The festival grounds feature a diverse lineup of daily entertainment, including:

• Live Performances: Thrilling jousting tournaments, equestrian displays, and awe-inspiring magic shows filled with mind-boggling illusions and plenty of laughs.
  
  
• Interactive Artisans: Unique marketplace booths, such as talented ocarina makers playing beautiful, live tunes that enchant music and gaming fans alike.
  
  
• Historical Exhibits: Educational stops like the Medieval Castle dungeon, where visitors can view authentic historical punishment devices.
  
  
• Hand-Powered Rides: A defining feature of the Ohio Renaissance Festival is its dedication to historical accuracy. In keeping with the era, all amusement rides on the grounds are entirely human-powered. Dedicated ride operators use their own strength to propel attractions like the Sea Dragon ship and the giant swings, interacting with nervous or excited children seamlessly while remaining strictly in character.
  
  

On September 20, 2015, my family and I had the chance to attend the Ohio Renaissance Festival, thanks to US Family Guide. We attended during "Pirate Week" and had a fabulous time, as usual.

* Thanks to US Family Guide, we received four passes to the Ohio Renaissance Festival in exchange for an unbiased review of our experience.

We were incredibly excited to attend the festival this year, so we left our home around noon and headed off for the one hour journey to Waynestown, Ohio.

Our son brought his sword, ready to show off to any knights who might question him.

The day was perfect for the Ohio Renaissance Festival. It was a beautiful 75 degrees with blue skies and fluffy, white cumulus clouds.

At last, we arrived! After picking up our tickets from Will Call, we were greeted by a man atop the castle who wasn't quite sure how to get down! The kids got a kick out of that!

When we walked through the castle gates, we were welcomed and given a map of the festival.

As soon as we opened our map, we heard a beautiful tune playing from several feet away. My husband pointed out that it sounded like an ocarina. An ocarina is a flute-like instrument that our son has been learning to play. We listened to the sound and followed it to an ocarina booth.

He was mesmerized. He is a huge fan of the Legend of Zelda, so he ran over to see the available ocarinas and listen to the women at the stand talk about the beauty of them. We even had the chance to hear her play a tune! It was beautiful! She was very, very talented.

At the stand, there were also some cute, ceramic bird water pipes for sale. They were so cute! You know we had to purchase one.

We even saw this little gem. The sign reads, "Due to the plague, thou shalt not toot. - By order of the Queen." What a fun sign!

While walking through the festival grounds, we saw several different attractions. There was jousting, horses, a pirate's ship, magic shows, and so much more to see and do!

And don't forget the food!

What To Eat at the Ohio Renaissance Festival: Legendary Eats

No trip to the festival is complete without sampling the legendary food. The ultimate Renaissance experience requires indulging in the festival's famous, giant roasted turkey legs, a crowd favorite that satisfies even the heartiest of appetites. With something to delight every age group, the Ohio Renaissance Festival remains a must-visit annual tradition for families looking to create lasting memories.

Live Tournaments, Shows, and More

On our way back from the above ride, we stopped for a magic show! The kids had a great laugh and really enjoyed the silliness. Some of the tricks actually impressed me, which I didn't expect at all—like crumbling a bag when it had a glass bottle in it, or hiding a cantaloupe under a hat without anyone seeing. Pretty incredible!

Before heading out, we visited the Medieval Castle, or the "Tower of London." It's also known as the Dungeon of Doom. Carter really enjoyed seeing the authentic medieval punishment devices and reading about their history. Considering that we've been studying the Renaissance in history, it also served as a great lesson!

As with every year, we enjoyed a fabulous trip to the Ohio Renaissance Festival. We always look forward to going back!