The Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire returns to Kings Valley for its 30th anniversary this weekend with gates open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
General admission is $22 for adults and $10 for children and seniors with a $30 adult weekend pass and $15 child/senior weekend pass also available. Children 5 and under and active military get in free. Parking is free, and organizers note no pets are allowed.
This year’s village includes jousting “lysts,” an interactive children’s area called Urcheone’s Alley, craft vendors and a food area known as Fyne Feasting. Beyond that area, guests can pass into Friar Tuck’s Forest, a wooded section along the Luckiamute River with additional stages, artisan vendors and the Staggering Oak Tavern.
Captain Charlie Mason Andrews and the Knights of Mayhem return to headline jousting for the anniversary event with performances scheduled for noon and 4 p.m. both days. The Cascade Mounted Warriors will present a Mongolian horseback archery exhibition at 2 p.m. near the Lonely Pickle Ship Tavern.
A hand-to-hand combat troupe, the Knights of DOOM, led by Marshal Eric Breeden, will also perform.
Five stages throughout the village and forest will feature acts including the Sherwood Renaissance Singers, Salem Madrigal Singers, juggler Adria, Tribal Rising Dance and Shadavar, and wandering performers throughout the grounds.
The full announced lineup also includes BOOM Pirates, Earl the Bard, Figs & Thistles, Lady Gwendolynn (Sirena of Avalon), Linahon, Pearwood Pipers, Riona, Firelight Stories, Janet the Harpist, Le Voyant, Longshot Mounted Archery, Moonlighting as Minstrels, Rotten in Denmark, Shoshi’s Stories, Troupe Seven Stars, Valley’s Heart HEMA and Van Zee Magic.
Organizers note the site has no ATM and ask attendees to bring cash as vendors handle their own payment arrangements. Tickets should be printed in advance due to limited cell service at the site, and organizers advise fueling up before arriving, as the nearest gas stations are roughly 15 miles away in any direction. No public camping is available.
Founded in February 1995, the faire held its first event in 1996 at the Philomath Frolic and Rodeo grounds. Organizers moved the event to its current site at Kings Valley Highway and Grant Road in 2002.