|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Explore Merrie Olde England at the Georgia Renaissance Festival
The Georgia Renaissance Festival
Hours: Sat.-Sun., 10:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Admission: Adults, $19.95; kids ages 6-12, $8.50; 5 and under, free. Parking, free. How to get there: Located just a few minutes south of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on I-85. Take exit 61 for Peachtree City/Fairburn and follow the signs. It’s easy to find. Hear ye! Hear ye! Fans of high drama, Shakespearean sonnets and open-air comedic performances, take heed: The Georgia Renaissance Festival is not to be missed. The festival is a fantasy land that takes families back in time and place. As we entered the gates of the 16th century kingdom, lords and ladies, a swashbuckling Jack Sparrow and even a rotund King Henry VIII, royally welcomed us. Within moments, our children were wandering from one site to the next, enchanted by jesters, jugglers and minstrels; charming shops manned by jovial shopkeepers; thrilling rides and amusing shows. We joined in the excitement of knights in shining armor engaging in tournament jousts in the King’s Equestrian Arena. We were in awe of the beautiful Lippizan Stallions on display before their show, All the King’s Horses. Be forewarned: some of the spectacles are rated PG. The children were enthralled by the up-close demonstrations by talented artisans of fine weaving, pottery, glass blowing, candle making and pottery. They giggled through a stint of juggling school, where good-natured jesters taught the fine art. While there is a wide range of free activities to enjoy, rides cost extra: from $2 a person to swing in kid-sized pirate ships, to $3 to slide down the twisting tower. For lunch, eateries offer legendary Renaissance fare (roasted turkey legs and hearty mead), as well as modern-day delights for kids. Just about anything, from chicken tenders to steak and pork loin, is offered “on a stick,” starting at about $5. People watching is perhaps the most engaging activity for novice festival goers. With well over 1,000 elaborately costumed characters strolling about – and I don’t just mean festival employees – it’s impossible to be bored. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are a must; and unless you’re in costume, wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. The Festival is open, rain or shine, and mud abounds on the rustic roads of this multi-acre village. |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||
