Go back in time with a magical day at the Michigan Renaissance Festival

By Robin Ruehlen
C & G Staff Writer

It’s that time of year again — when knights, royalty, peasants and artisans come riding into Hollygrove and turn that balmy forest into a medieval masterpiece.

This year, Aug. 18 marked the start of the 28th annual Renaissance Festival, which runs weekends through Sept. 30 in Holly. Along with the ever-popular, full-contact, armored jousting, this year’s festival boasts 195 merchants and new entertainment, such as a traditional Middle Eastern dance competition during Arabian Knights weekend.

Families can participate in rides and games of skill, or sit down to watch ongoing performances of comedians, sword swallowers, belly dancers and musicians.

Renaissance Festival performer Debra Jackson-Dechert of the comedy duo Ample & Trite has been a performer since the age of 6, and in addition to teaching at Wayne-Westland Schools, she performs with many local talent agencies and production groups.

“Our show is really family oriented and a lot of fun. We tell stories and choose people out of the audience to be our characters,” Jackson-Dechert, a University of Michigan grad, said.

She performs as Scotswoman Truly Ample, while her performance partner, LisaMarie Gabriele, plays Brit Prudence Trite in the singing, dancing and storytelling act.

“LisaMarie and I have known each other for a long time, so we’re very comfortable performing together. She writes the acts and I do the costumes and props. It’s a great time.”

Along with the entertainment, fans of medieval grub can experience the Feast of Fantasy, a six-course gourmet dinner complete with two hours of entertainment in the Hollygrove Castle. Visitors with more delicate palates might choose the Royal High Tea instead, with a light four-course luncheon of scones, sandwiches, desserts and teas — while the peasantry can partake in the Renaissance Smoker event to enjoy quality cigars with a snack buffet, premium ale and entertainment in a “bawdy” atmosphere.

For the little ones, the Children’s Realm and Enchanted Forest provides a place where kids can visit a petting zoo and participate in free activities, such as magic wand making, mask making, origami, junior caber toss and a treasure hunt.

Those with an eye for fine wares both natural and ornamental can spend all day wandering the woods and visiting the wide array of merchants, who offer everything from jewelry, stained glass, pottery and dried flowers to bronze swords, fine clothing, bath and body items and all forms of art. Some favorites include Jodi Bee Honey Farm, Global Scent Company, Angus Harvey Kiltmaker and Sabersmith Swords.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm recently declared August Renaissance Festival Month and said much of the proceeds are donated back to the community, including the Muscular Dystrophy Camp in Genesee County, women’s shelters, food drives and local hospitals.

The 2007 weekend themes include: Arabian Knights, Highland Fling, Buccaneer Beer Fest, High Seas Adventure, Wonders of the World, Shamrocks & Shenanigans and Sweet Endings.

The Michigan Renaissance Festival is held off of Dixie Highway in Holly, Exit 106 from I-75. It runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends and Labor Day, rain or shine, plus Festival Friday on Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is free.

Discount tickets are available at Kroger, Wendy’s or ClicknPrint Tickets. Admission at the gate is $17.95 for adults, $14.95 for seniors and students with ID and $8.95 for children ages 5-12. For more information, call the hotline at (800) 601-4848 or visit www.michrenfest.com.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Robin Ruehlen at rruehlen@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1105.