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2nd Annual Lincolnshire Renaissance Faire
Oct 11-12, 2008
Conference Center & Hotel - Decatur, IL
(Do you get the Regional
Renaissance Reporter?)
"Return of the Renaissance Tymes"
The community and patron feed-back on the inaugural LINCOLNSHIRE RENAISSANCE FAIRE was so positive, last year, that the producers have decided to bring it back. Yet, with the intention to impress and amaze anew, they will add even more professional touring performers and novel activities to this spectacle of history edutainment.
It will be presented, again, on the grounds of the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel on Oct. 11th & 12th from 11:00am to 6:00pm. This year it will take in 40% more of the attractive pond park that lies on the south side of the Center.
"The extra space will be needed because we are adding a camel ride, an open field longbow archery range and an additional performance stage," notes producer Gregory Schmidt of Festivals International.
Also enhancing the event this year will be a new horseback jousting stunt show, the comedy version of "Hamlet" by nationally touring Shakespearian Jeff McLane of Chicago, Cappamore minstrels from the Bristol Renaissance Faire, a Faerie Realm for children, St. Louis escape artist and magician The Great Manzini, the popular Tavern Wenches of Canterbury with their rapid-fire comedy, and Kids With Fire comedy juggling show. They will be joined by a dozen other regional and local solo acts and performance troupes. There will even be a Treasure Hunt with real valuables to be found.
The festival will also expand its food court with two more vendor booths (one from Iowa and one from Kansas), a wine-tasting table, beer garden, and bring in additional artisan merchants selling unique hand-made items from jewelry to swords.
Last year's LINCOLNSHIRE RENAISSANCE FAIRE drew visitors from St. Louis, Chicago, Iowa and Indiana. The standing goal for this festival is to take it from an area event to a regional attraction.
"We truly want to see it expand into a very large history experience with a double-ticketing system that would get you into both an 18th Century realm (Civil War & Blackpowder Rendezvous) and our Medieval/Renaissance realm. It might take several years for people in the region to think in terms of central Illinois for such a destination." Schmidt thinks.
Admission will be $10, $5 for kids 6 to 13, and free for children. There are also group discounts being offered.
For festival details contact greg@festint.com or see www.lincolnshirefaire.com. For location details or lodging info call #877 352-8800 or e-mail sbeiler@hoteldecatur.com
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CONTACT: Greg Schmidt
641-357-5177
641-494-8457 (c)
