Sparks fly as knights clash sword against sword on dusty ground, well-cooked turkey legs lend their scent to the air, and a vibe that offers plenty of delight is punctuated by the occasional “Huzzah!”
That's just a sampling of what will be open to discovery over three consecutive weekends in June. The Oregon Renaissance Faire returns to the fairgrounds of the Clackamas County Event Center in Canby. This year’s event will run June 1-2, 8-9, and 15-16.
“The Oregon Renaissance Faire is more than just an event - it's an invitation to step into an entirely different world,” said Shana Casey, marketing director for the ORF. “With thrilling live entertainment, a bustling marketplace brimming with unique artisans, and interactive activities that transport you to a historic Scottish village, there's no better way to escape the everyday hustle and immerse yourself in magic and merriment. Every corner is brimming with wonder, offering fun for all ages.
“Whether you're seeking laughter, excitement, or simply a place to let your imagination roam free, the Oregon Ren Faire is where you'll find it,” she added.
As always, there will be a host of artisans and merchants, entertainment, food, and plenty more.
“This should be really fun,” said Casey. “Overall, I’m super excited. I think it’s just going to be better than ever because we’ve done a ton of infrastructure stuff. We have built a bunch of new stuff, so I think the aesthetic is going to be a lot cooler.”
And there’s plenty of newness coming faire-goers way, starting with the royal family. For the first time in the event’s history, Mary, Queen of Scots, will not oversee the events and tournament that unfold in Canby.
“We have gone away from a queen and will now see the Vale of Dunrose ruled by King James VI,” said Casey. “We are having a male monarch this year. It’s a big change, but a good one.”
In fact, there’s a good mix of old favorites and new attractions coming to Canby over those three weekends.
New this year will be Ses Carny’s Double-Edged Daredevils, a 25-minute show filled with daring, laughter, fire-breathing fun, and blades gleaming in the light. Also new this year are The Tinkerrailors, a pair of high energy bards; the Barbarian Bombshells; The Craic Show and more. And while there will be a host of new entertainment, many of the oldies are still goodies at ORF.
“We try to mix some crowd favorites with new acts, keep it fresh,” said Casey.
Classics like Broon, Lynx, BOWI, Supernova the Strongwoman, Moonie, and Manis O’Tool are just a few of the returning acts that will entertain and delight.
New this year will be a Friday concert each week, while each Saturday night of the faire will conclude with a themed after-party. Additionally, there will be a pub crawl which will feature not only a trip from the Cat & Fiddle Pub to the Kilted Stag, but will be hosted by a different Dunrose character and include a souvenir glass and special entertainment.
Each weekend will have a theme to it – weekend 1 will be Highland Fling; weekend 2 will be Enchanted Kingdoms of Legend & Lore; and weekend 3 will be Raiders of the Realm, a Weekend of Warriors. There’s also stuff for kids and families.
The Friday concerts will feature some big names in the Renaissance Faire realm and Casey said she’s excited to see how that is received. In fact, the ORF has secured the red parking lot at the fairgrounds to set up the stage and hold the shows.
The Saturday evening after-party will offer visitors a chance to keep the party going, enjoy dance music from a DJ, as well as meet and greet with ORF staff and crew.
Tickets for the Oregon Renaissance Faire, after party, pub crawl, and Friday concert will be sold separately at www.oregonfaire.com/. Tickets must be purchased online before the event, and you must select a specific day to attend. No tickets will be available at the event.
The Oregon Renaissance Faire opens at 10 a.m. each day. The Friday Night Party begins at 6 p.m. each Friday.
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