06-11-2023 Capital Style - Flipbook - Page 38
Best of Anne Arundel
ENTERTAINMENT
Right, Mary Ann Jung, of Arnold, as Cpt. Jean the Pirate Queen speaks with the Frempong family, from left, Mayson, 7, Verita, Garrett, 11, and Kofi during the 2022
festival. They are from Bowie. PHOTO BY KIM HAIRSTON
BEST FESTIVAL
Maryland Renaissance
Festival
1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis.
800-296-7304. rennfest.com
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| CAPITAL STYLE | Summer 2023
Here’s what draws crowds to this faux English
village from King Henry VIII’s reign: the stage
shows, the jousting, the jugglers. A love of history,
food and the chance to play dress-up in period garb.
“Some patrons are into Shakespeare; others
love the [16th century] music and the craft show
element,” said Carolyn Spedden, the festival’s artistic director. “Some come just to sit with a beer in the
pub and people-watch.”
The event, now in its 47th year, routinely draws
300,000 people over nine successive fall weekends.
Spedden acknowledges “the diversity of patrons
from all demographics. Everyone feels comfortable
here in a world that, in some ways, they create for
themselves. Some come dressed in costumes, from
pirates to fairies. They can be their authentic selves,
and be accepted; no one is judged.”
Here, folks can pad down the woodsy paths,
nibble smoked turkey legs, peruse the handicrafts
of some 140 artisans and, perhaps, meet up with
King Henry himself between stage performances
that are vetted for historical accuracy.
The festival provides escapism in a Brigadoon-like setting, said Spedden:
“When times are harder, it makes for a nice vacation, where people can get away from it all.”
