The Maryland Renaissance Festival is a national attraction located in Crownsville MD, on Crownsville Road, in Anne Arundel County.
2013 Schedule
August: 24, 25, 31
September: 1, 2, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29
October: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20
Open from 10:00am – 7:00pm. Open rain or shine.
This Year’s Story Line
Revel Grove, Oxfordshire, England
The year is 1520. King Henry VIII with his Queen, Katherine of Aragon, and their royal court visit the village as part of their annual summer progress.
Joining the English Court are visitors from Ferrara and Mantua: Alfonso d’Este, Duke of Ferrara along with his sister, the famous Isabelle d’Este, Marchesa of Mantua, her sister-in-law Elisabetta Gonzaga, Duchesss of Urbino, and the great poet, Ludovico Ariosto. Ariosto plans to present a copy of his epic poem, Orlando Furioso, to the King.
Friendly, and not so friendly, competition develops between the English and Italian courtiers.
The court is also celebrating the recent marriage of Mary Boleyn and Sir William Carey. The King seems especially attentive to Lady Mary Boleyn Carey. His attention to the fair lady has been noticed. By the Queen!
In the village, a new Mayor has been appointed. None other than Francis Yaxley. Let it be known that nepotism had nothing, absolutely nothing, to do with the Mayor’s choice for a new sheriff – his son, Walter Yaxley. Walter’s charming wife, Isobel, will act as hostess of the village for the Court visit. (No one can say they haven’t been warned.)
The Mayor is quite busy at the moment. Not only anticipating a visit from King and court, but exotic visitors from foreign lands. Italians! The Yaxleys are busily studying their Latin to communicate with the visitors. How exciting!
Mayor Yaxley wants to show off his village at its best, but alas those feuding families, the Hatfields and the McCoys are at it again. Their disagreements threaten to ruin the royal visit. It is up to the Mayor and the Sheriff to keep the peace and ensure an enjoyable Harvest Festival for all.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival
For more than thirty-five seasons the Maryland Renaissance Festival has provided a unique outdoor entertainment experience to patrons from all over the world.
“. . .we always enjoy ourselves and it’s worth flying 1500 miles!”
-Gareth J., Dorset, UK
The festival is more than a crafts show, more than an entertainment venue. For many people it has been a family tradition that now spans a generation. Patrons who visited the festival as a child now return to introduce their kids to the unforgettable world of the Maryland Renaissance Festival.
Enter the gates of Revel Grove and leave the hectic pace of the twenty-first century behind. Slow down. Leisurely stroll our beautiful wooded paths. Quaff an ale and relax in one of our pubs. Shop for unique, handcrafted gifts. Let the kids play in our free children’s area – complete with a beautiful pirate ship. You won’t find any video games here! No mind-numbing computer-generated special effects. The magic, pageantry, songs, and laughter are all real.
The Maryland Renaissance Festival. Don’t miss it!