I went to the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Crownsville yesterday and had a great time. The setting of the festival is the fictitious village of Revel Grove in the county of Oxfordshire in England. This year’s story takes place in 1532. King Henry VIII and his court have arrived to welcome the king’s daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, back into the line of succession.

I just might have to go again before the festival ends in late October. Looking back at the program, it appears I saw only a small part of what was there. I used to go to the festival every year but haven’t attended in nine years. Once I walked through the gates I regretted those missed years, but I was amused that very little had changed. The buildings have been permanent for some time now and there were many familiar faces: the same glassblower, blacksmith and jester; sword swallower Johnny Fox; Hack and Slash; and more. Some of these performers have been participating in the festival for at least 15 years. Though I didn’t want to leave at the end of the day, it was like I had never left.

When the air smells of cinnamon and incense, you know you’ve arrived at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Highlights included the jousting shows; fantastic costumes worn by participants and guests alike; and the Rogues performing “The Gael” in the White Hart Tavern with sunlight slanting through the trellises and people dancing in the aisles.

As with Privateer Day, I tried to make up for the years I didn’t take a camera to the festival by snapping away here and there. These are some of the photos I took.

Photos © ACF