Knights on horseback, axe-throwing contests and the smell of turkey legs are back at Kearney Park, where the Kearney Park Renaissance Faire began Saturday in Fresno, California. The event marks the faire's 28th anniversary, drawing families and costumed revelers to the historic park near Kearney Boulevard and Garfield Street for a weekend of medieval make-believe.
According to YourCentralValley.com, the faire runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, though other listings differ on the Sunday schedule. Visit Fresno County lists Saturday hours as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. but says Sunday wraps up earlier, at 5 p.m., while HeyFresno lists both days closing at 5 p.m. The exact Sunday closing time has not been confirmed by organizers.
Tickets for the faire cost $15 to $20, per the YourCentralValley.com report, a range also cited by Visit Fresno County. HeyFresno, meanwhile, notes that the county separately charges $5 a car just to enter the park itself, a detail not addressed by the other listings.
Jousts, Trebuchets and a Market to Wander
The faire includes more than 20 food booths scattered throughout the park, along with crafts and a talent show, the station's report states. Visit Fresno County, however, puts the food booth count at 20 rather than more than 20, a discrepancy between the two sources that has not been resolved. Visit Fresno County also describes two stages featuring national, regional and local talent.
Beyond the stages, the faire offers jousting and axe-throwing activities, according to the original report. Visit Fresno County's listing adds that the lineup includes a reenactment of a war-style weapons tournament and games alongside the axe throwing. HeyFresno's description paints an even fuller picture, pointing to two stages of entertainment, a joust, a battle, a trebuchet, guilds camped throughout the grounds, and a market for visitors to wander.
School Day and Who Can Attend
Ahead of the public weekend, HeyFresno notes the faire held a school program on Friday, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., open to public, private, charter and home school students. That same listing specifies that student pricing applies to anyone age 6 and up, including college students.
Event date listings for the faire are not entirely consistent across sources. HeyFresno lists the event for November 14 and 15, while a listing from Barleycorn Country Dancers gives dates of November 7 and 8, and Strideevents lists estimated dates of November 12 and 13. Given those conflicting listings, attendees may want to verify timing directly with organizers before heading out. The original report from YourCentralValley.com, credited to reporter Kellie Helton, was published Saturday afternoon.
