King Richard's Faire, a long-standing tradition in the New England area, has embarked on a new chapter at the former Edaville Family Theme Park location in Carver, Massachusetts. Starting its 44th season today, the Renaissance festival promises to blend classic charm with new features, according to a Patriot Ledger report.
The festival, which sees visitors stepping back in time to a realm of knights, jesters, and jousting, relocated due to a lease dispute. Now settled into its new grounds, the Faire spans a larger area and offers improved accessibility. Aimée Shapiro Sedley, daughter of the original creators Richard and Bonnie Shapiro, remains at the helm, overseeing the transition to this "new realm," as Ryan Roy, vice president of production puts it, as reported by CBS News Boston.
New attractions, including a petting zoo and an acrobatic horse act, join the festival's roster of entertainment. Furthermore, food tickets have been abolished, allowing for a broader and more inclusive dining experience for fairegoers. Shapiro Sedley paid homage to her parents with a bakery named "Dick and Bonnie's," where traditional fare like cinnamon rolls will tempt guests, while performers like the Washing Well Wenches provide lively entertainment in a setting that balances rural charm with practical, paved paths for easier navigation.
Despite the changes, Kirk Simpson, donned as King Richard XI, and Elizabeth Clouse, reigning as Queen Anne III, expressed enthusiasm for the Faire's growth and continuity. As Simpson told the Patriot Ledger, this evolution represents "an amazing opportunity of growth, of magic, creativity and imagination." For visitors, this year's fair promises a blend of historical escapism and modern convenience, as not only conventional methods of payment are accepted but, amenities like ATMs ensure a smoother experience for the modern-day time traveler.
King Richard's Faire runs through October 19, welcoming guests on weekends and select holiday Mondays. Tickets are available for purchase online, with admission priced at $46 for those 12 and older, $26 for children aged 4 to 11, and complimentary for kids aged 3 and under. As the fair rolls out its 44th season, Roy anticipates the joy it will bring to the community, telling Patriot Ledger, "I think that’s going to be the biggest thing, just to hear that laughter, hear the noise of a festival day and know that it is still continuing on."
Even during the off-season, the site will continue to bustle with activity, as hinted by Edaville's website regarding an "expanded merry marketplace" and the return of the annual Christmas lights festival starting November 28, according to CBS News Boston.
