Lindsay Browne 6/2/24 Lindsay Browne 6/2/24

The Castle of Muskogee: Oklahoma Renaissance Festival

The Castle of Muskogee: Oklahoma Renaissance Festival gateway to another world.

“Your gateway to another world.”

*This was a hosted visit. We got free tickets to go have a blast at this event, but we would have gone even if we didn’t get the free tickets.

2024 Season

6 Weekends: April 27th to June 2nd

Saturdays & Sundays (plus Memorial Day)
10:30am - 6:00pm, rain or shine

Top-notch Adventure!

OKRF (The Oklahoma Renaissance Festival), officially known as The Castle of Muskogee, is truly impressive and so much fun. Droves of Renfest fans drive to OKRF each year, and now I know why. You may recognize me as the RN (Renaissance Nurse) from the Medieval Medicine Show. I took this opportunity to take a vacation from musical medicine to visit Castleton. Memorial day weekend, my college roommate, Jo, and I were so thrilled to be hosted at this amazing festival for the chance to write this blog. OKRF was definitely worth the drive. You’ll find so many thoughtful features in this larger, established festival that boasts over 25 years in operation. The cast and other performers are clearly having a blast, too.

Realm

The extensive grounds of Castleton are split into different regions: Bavarian Forest, King’s Highway, Village Centre, Tournament Arena, Castle Keepe (air conditioned), Celtic Quarter (including the air conditioned Cave with bar and stage), Italian Piazza, Castleton Harbour, and The Woodlands. The structures are substantial, some reaching 3 stories, and shade and benches are plentiful. These themed areas feature tons of delightful drinks, stages, and shops.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Jo and I adored the interactive Courtly Dance at the Maypole. Dancing was one of the things that made me a diehard Renfest fan in high school. At OKRF they will help you find a partner and teach you the dance! You can also watch or participate in wrapping the Maypole.

The Human Combat Chess Match gives you the chance to see all your favorite characters fight.

If you came dressed to impressed, try your luck in the Costume Contest or just come and watch.

Be sure to catch the afternoon Joust at 1pm or the Joust to the Death at the end of the day.

We enjoyed fighting one another with realistic, foam weapons at the Sword Master’s Challenge.

In the Royal Quest, children can get stamps on their official warrant throughout the festival and bring it back for a late afternoon audience with the King and Queen.

Tons of stages provide exciting entertainment: music, comedy, juggling, family friendly shows, and more bawdy ones. For incredible feats check out The Wheel of Death, Bob the Incredible Juggler, and Crazy Boy Coy. Laugh with the Washing Well Wenches. For music, check out sämäs, The Jolly Rogers, Wolgemut, Ez ‘n Dil, and cool down in the air conditioned Cave area with Tartanic and Music the Gathering. There were even more groups we didn’t get to see. It was fun recognizing some overlap with Kansas City. Check out the Daily Schedule for current groups, show times, and locations.

There are many exciting vendors to tempt you if you have the shopping bug or want to buy some presents. Jo bought a beautiful new outfit at The Highland Kilt Company and a laurel crown at McNoodles.

There is so much to taste from chimney cakes and funnel cakes to bacon wrapped venison poppers from the Pauper Eatery. There are, of course, turkey legs. We returned to the Cappuccino Inn 3 times in 2 days for refreshing drinks: I loved the Pickpocket (frozen lemonade/iced tea combo), and Jo loved the smoothies.

We purposefully planned our visit to include Memorial Day. This is a popular day with KC visitors. The 3 day weekend allows more time for driving and more days of fun. On Monday, be sure to experience the very moving veteran and family member parade and ceremony honoring Memorial Day.

Schedule and Special Events

OKRF is held for 6 weekends (Saturdays & Sundays) in the spring including Memorial Day from 10:30am - 6:00pm, rain or shine. Confirm current dates, weekend themes, and times on their website.

Castleton really shines with special events. Be sure to buy tickets in advance online, and line up early for the best seats.

Queen’s Tea: as a tea aficionado, I truly enjoyed the 2pm Queen’s Tea. This is a full afternoon tea with 3 tiers of tea sandwiches and desserts. A variety of entertainers will delight tea ticket holders. Queen’s tea was high on my list of experiences at OKRF.
Smoker: a raunchy, rowdy 21+ event hosted by the ladies of the Scarlet Pillow and buccaneers of the harbor for drinks, cigars, and bawdy songs, jokes, games, and pickup lines. (Bring your ID.)
Pub Crawl: have a grand time visiting pubs and being entertained throughout the festival. Keep your commemorative stein. (Bring your ID.)
Castleton Tastings: 21+ event with different tastings like wine, mead, or whiskey on different days; check the website for dates. (Bring your ID.)
Explore the Torture Chamber and Catacombs beneath the Castle and the Ultimate Maze near the May Pole.
In addition to events during the festival day, you can buy tickets to special evening events like The Masque Ball, Pirate’s Feaste, and Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-lee).
The Castle of Muskogee has events at other times: Fireworks, Halloween Festival, Castle Christmas, and Time Traveler’s Ball (New Year’s Eve).

Festival Tickets

RN and Jo seek an audience with the Royals

Confirm current pricing online. Tickets are $5 cheaper if you buy them online. Children, seniors, and students can also get a reduced price. In addition to a one day pass, you can buy a weekend pass, or season pass. This festival is extensive. I would be sure to at least get a weekend pass! 2 days wasn’t enough for me.
If you visit the festival often, consider the limited availability Friends of Festival premier season pass which includes extra features like a private pub, reserved pavilion, special discounts, events, and preferred parking.

Tips

Bring cash so you don’t have to spend time at the ATM. Be sure to tip performers at least a dollar when you watch their shows (more is always welcome). Some shops take credit cards, but many tasty food booths do not.
Castleton has its own coins of the realm, real coins that can be used throughout the land. Trade US currency back and forth for these coins at the “Bank of London”. You can also keep them as a souvenir. Angus, featured on the 1 coin, can sell you an extra special coin, if you find him near the petting zoo.
No pets or firearms are allowed at this festival. All blades must be peace tied (so you can’t draw them).
Buy a printed program at the gate for $1 (free online). The Daily Schedule grid in the middle is handy. Identify a few key things you want to see and plan your shopping and eating around that schedule. Make sure not to miss any ticketed events you’ve bought. Aimless roaming is especially fun if you have several days to explore.
Costumes are not required but are encouraged. Most guests at OKRF were in at least some costume or a funny t-shirt. If you don’t have an outfit, you can buy or rent one there. Dress for the weather. By the end of the season at OKRF it can be quite warm. Look for the metal Castleton Medallion to distinguish performers from well-dressed guests.
Prepare to spend a joyful day walking outside: comfortable shoes, layers, sunscreen, bug spray, and even a parasol are recommended.
Stay hydrated! I like to bring a mug with a special belt clip to really get into the spirit (you can buy these onsite or a stein is included in the pub crawl ticketed event). There are drinking fountains across the grounds of Castleton for free water.
While this festival has more infrastructure than many, you should still expect the terrain to be a little uneven. The sweet spot is footwear that is both comfortable and stylish.
Bring a reusable bag for your shopping finds.
I love that smoking is only allowed in designated areas of the festival. However, if you are looking for some raunchy entertainment with drinks and cigars, the 21+ Smoker event is for you. First-time visitors can look forward to special treatment. You might want to prepare a Limerick or joke. You can still participate in the Smoker event as a non-smoker or non-drinker, but you must be at least 21 years old.
You can have a great time on your own, but it’s even more fun with friends or family.
Consider supporting a music group and get some music for the ride home. Buy a CD after a show or from an official download site, like Bandcamp.
Stick around at the end of the day for a pub sing and closing ceremony.

Location

The Castle of Muskogee
3400 W Fern Mountain Rd, Muskogee, OK 74401

4 hours south of Kansas City
3 hours from Wichita, KS
3 hours from Springfield, MO
40 minutes southeast of Tulsa

Jo was able to fly in to Tulsa, and we stayed in Muskogee. There are hotels available near the festival. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express.

Parking at the festival is free or for $10 get VIP parking. I suggest you arrive early for the opening to avoid traffic. Consider VIP parking if you arrive later or want to run shopping out to your car. Get a stamp to return the same day.

*Huge thanks to Jo for helping take photos and videos!

**We were thrilled to get free access to the festival, Queen’s Tea, and Smoker to be able to write this post.

Links

Festival Website

Festival Facebook

Festival Instagram

Huzzah!

Lindsay Browne 10/16/23 Lindsay Browne 10/16/23

Central Missouri Renaissance Festival

Central Missouri Renaissance Festival is boisterous fun!

“Most enjoyable mayhem and merriment.”

2024 Season

April 27th & 28th, May 4th & 5th, Oct 19th & 20th

Saturday & Sunday, 10am - 6:00pm, Rain or Shine

A truly fun festival!

The Central Missouri Renaissance Festival is a joy to attend. It’s a great place to perform as well. Small enough to have a true community feel, Central MO doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s easy to see that everyone is having a great time. As a more established festival, CMRF (Central MO RenFest) has a mixture of permanent stages and permanent structures with temporary vendor tents.

Realm

Experience the 1550 A.D. village of Carlingford, Ireland filled with artisans, musicians, pirates, and more. The Cast and Royal court are a hoot. They bring a ton of joy to the festival.

5 stages provide exciting entertainment: music, comedy, family friendly shows, and more bawdy ones. There are several food options including tasty baked goods and sometimes a pasty (hand-held British pot pie) food truck. There are many exciting vendors to tempt you if you have the shopping bug or need to buy some holiday presents.

Schedule

Central MO RenFest is held one weekend in the fall when it has cooled down around the 8th weekend after labor day (after the Kansas City Renaissance Festival is done). There are also 2 weekends in the Spring, often the last weekend in April and the first in May. Confirm dates on their website or social media. These dates provide an opportunity to wear the fun cloaks, armor, and layers that are less practical at summer Renaissance Festivals.

Tickets and Festival Hours

The gate opens at 10am and the closing ceremony is at 6pm.
Confirm current pricing online. At the time of writing: Festival tickets are a great deal at $15.00 at the gate for adults, children from age 6 to 12 are $10.00, and children 5 and below are admitted free. Season pass: $78.

For those 21+ “Shots Fired with the Queen” Tickets at $30, include festival admission and a very bawdy drinking event with the Queen, including a shot glass. Make sure to bring a designated driver or stay at the faire long enough to recover. Be safe!
Sometimes specials are available: past deals have included discounted tickets available if you bring non-perishable food items for the Fulton United Methodist Food Pantry or Military/EMS/State of Missouri Employee discount.
You can buy your tickets in advance and print them out or purchase at the door.

Tips

Explore the Forest including a Children’s Area

Bring cash. As of now, there are NO ATMS. It’s only proper to tip performers at least a dollar when you watch their shows (more is always welcome). While you can buy some things with credit cards at shops, cash is easier for smaller vendors and is accepted everywhere.
Dress up to maximize the fun! It’s not required, but I love to dress up. If you don’t have an outfit, you’ll be able to buy one there. Renaissance Festivals are typically rain or shine, so dress for the weather. You may want to take into consideration using a porta-privy when planning your outfit.
Be sure to check out the schedule of events for show times. In my obviously biased opinion, be sure to see me as the Renaissance Nurse in The Medieval Medicine Show. Plan your shopping and eating around what you want to see. Eating during less peak times will mean shorter lines and more time for fun.
Dogs are allowed if certain guidelines are followed (see website).
Prepare to spend a joyful day walking outside: comfortable shoes, layers, sunscreen, definitely bug spray, and maybe even a parasol are in order.
Stay hydrated! I like to bring a mug with a special belt clip to really get into the spirit (you can buy these onsite). You will need to purchase drinks as running drinking water is not available.
Consider bringing sanitizer and wet wipes although there are handwashing stations.
The faire is set in open grassy fields and a delightful forest. The terrain can be a little uneven. I found I had some seasonal allergies related to the forest area, so you may want to bring allergy medicine.
Bug repellant, especially for ticks, is also wise. Do a tick check when you are done for the day.
Bring a reusable bag for your shopping finds.
You can have a great time on your own, but it’s even more fun with friends or family.
Use this great opportunity to buy unique gifts and treat yourself.
Consider supporting a music group and get some music for the ride home buy CD after a show or from an official download site, like Bandcamp.
Stick around at the end of the day for a pub sing and closing ceremony.

Location

4274 County Rd 220, Kingdom City, Missouri 65262

Kingdom City is under 2.5 hours east from Kansas City, less than 30 minutes east of Columbia and less than 2 hours west from St. Louis.

I-70, 144/Hatton Exit, South just under 2 miles to the Fairgrounds.

Complimentary parking is located around the festival and is mostly on grass. As with all festivals, be prepared to walk a distance from where you park. Also be prepared for mud if the weather is wet.

I have made the trip from KC as a daytrip several times, but if you can make it work, stay over at a local hotel and make a weekend of it.

Links

Festival Website

Festival Facebook

Festival Instagram

Huzzah!

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Lindsay Browne 4/24/23 Lindsay Browne 4/24/23

Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival (St. Joseph, MO)

Huzzah for an enchanting new Renaissance Festival!

“Step back in time”

2024 Schedule

Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19th from 10am-6pm.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

Assuming that “Merry” is great shopping and shows! The Bluffwoods Renaissance Festival started in 2022 with a stellar first season.

Activities

Find here all the activities that you love in Renaissance Festivals: turkey legs, festival food favorites, drinking, jousting, sword fighting, shopping, engaging characters, music, shows, and historical reenactment all in the festival grounds surrounding the Castle. There is a convenient inside bar area and restroom inside the castle out of the sun. Outside you’ll find many food trucks, shopping tents, and the expected port-a-privies.

This RenFest (Renaissance Festival) isn’t set in a particular time of history but covers a wide range of times including fantastical additions like faeries and dragons.

It’s fun to play like a kid: enjoy boffer games (foam sword fighting), a catapult, warhorse rides, axe throwing, and archery. Interact with larger-than-life characters. (Real kids enjoy these features, too I suppose).

I’m entirely biased, but be sure to catch The Medieval Medicine Show! (I’m the Renaissance Nurse or RN in this 2-woman musical, medical comedy show coming to Bluffwoods for 2024!). Your ticket gets you in both days, so no excuses. Laughter is the best medicine (unless you have diarrhea…)

Tips

Amazing pricing! Tickets are $15 and function as weekend pass, so try to make time for both days. Kids 5 and under are free.
Buy your tickets in advance on the website to save time waiting in line.
Dress up to maximize the fun! It’s not required, but I love to dress up. If you don’t have an outfit, you’ll be able to buy one there.
Bring cash. It’s only proper to tip performers at least a dollar when you watch their show (more is always welcome). While you can buy some things with cards, cash is easier for smaller vendors and is accepted everywhere.
Be sure to check out the schedule of events for shows and joust times. Plan your shopping and eating around what you want to see.
Prepare to spend a day walking outside: comfortable shoes, layers, sunscreen, bug spray, and maybe even a parasol are in order. Stay hydrated! I like to bring a mug with a special belt clip to really get into the spirit (you can buy these onsite).
While there are a few paved areas the majority of the faire is set in open grassy fields in true festival style.
Bring a reusable bag for your shopping finds because it’s a long walk back to the car.
You can have a great time on your own, but it’s even more fun with friends or family.
Use this great opportunity to buy unique gifts and treat yourself.
Stick around at the end of the day for a closing ceremony.

Location

Castle Bridge Event Center

8403 US-59, St Joseph, MO 64504

St. Joseph is located just over 40 minutes North of the Kansas City International Airport, 30 minutes North of Weston, and about 1 hour North of the River Market.

To find the entrance by car, keep an eye out for the Castlebridge Event Space sign and drive back past the Bargain Barn Antique Store.

Complimentary parking is located around the festival and is mostly on grass. As with all festivals, be prepared to walk a distance from where you park.