At Lehi’s Electric Park at Thanksgiving Point, the Utah Renaissance Faire is Fun for All Ages and Backgrounds

By Kathryn Olsen

It is always an adventure to visit Lehi‘s Thanksgiving Point and this weekend, the Electric Park is home to a magnificent set of spectacles under the umbrella of the Utah Renaissance Faire. A common question from performer to audience is, “How many of you have never been to a Renaissance Faire before?” and the number of hands that are raised at each event is an encouraging sign to those who have been attending for years or are testing the waters. I, myself, had attended once before, but had never participated in most of the attractions, so I invited along a long-time member of the Society for Creative Anachronism and prepared myself for new adventures.

The event is a model of community enthusiasm. Attendees can be found wearing period-appropriate costumes, but there are also many fairies flitting between the booths. In the Shire, visitors can time-travel to a Tudor village that includes craft demonstrations, interactive activities such as candle-dipping, and performances at The Globe Theater. An apothecary recommends rose hips and lavender for various conditions. In a small church, brass rubbings can be made.

Not to be outdone by the interactive, there are demonstrations of familiar sports in popular entertainment. Jousting is an obvious favorite, but it is also thrilling to see armored combat on foot. This is conducted by the Salt Lake City Crusaders, the local chapter of the Armored Combat League. Even better than the close-quarters dueling is the fact that the ringleaders will pass the time between rounds by explaining things such as the composition of armor and the scoring method used to declare a winner. Everyone in the crowd is, therefore, better equipped to enjoy the spectacle.

For those looking for a more serene experience, this can be found throughout the park. Musicians are everywhere, playing period pieces as well as contemporary renderings. At the calligrapher’s booth, I was even serenaded by both a bagpiper and a baritone from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square who happens to do demonstrations of medieval weaponry. In the Society for Creative Anachronism tent, there are members spinning or using various types of looms. They are always willing to answer questions or simply converse with visitors. In the Queen’s Pavilion, there are scheduled performances from small vocal ensembles to an escape artist and it is a wonderful place to enjoy the shade as well as let children make a joyful noise.

The activities for young people are varied and enthralling. There are crafts for people of all ages, but a major draw seems to be two pirate ships that accommodate children looking for adventure. Children are often to be found on small quests to find a particular artisan or to learn a specific skill. One young adventurer was sent to learn about justice at the stocks, while another visited the scribes at the calligrapher’s booth,

These quests are dispensed to young and old by the marvelous House of Tudor reenactors, who perform as real historical figures. You might accept a simple task from Queen Elizabeth I or report the results of your Knight’s Quest to King Henry VIII and his loyal pet. These reenactors are constantly in-character—Catharine of Aragon spoke in accent, for example—and are welcoming to all visitors.

Of course, no fair would be complete without refreshment. There is an enclosed space for food trucks or visitors can treat themselves to bottled sodas. The entire experience is one where attendees can enjoy carving soap or cheering for a knight, but also find a meat pie and root beer when they need a rest.

Masks are encouraged, but not required and there are many hand sanitizer stations throughout the park. Some vendors reserve the right to require masks inside their booth. The Faire requests that social distancing be observed and that ill persons remain at home.

There is something at Utah Renaissance Faire for every taste, so wend your way to Electric Park at Thanksgiving Point. There is only one more day to enjoy everything the Faire has to offer and it’s an experience not to be missed.

Utah Renaissance Faire at Electric Park in Thanksgiving Point, 2650 Ashton Blvd, Lehi, UT 84043
August 27-28, 2021 10 AM – 8 PM
Tickets: $5-17. Children 6 and under attend free. The Queen’s Feast is $65.
Contact: 801-999-8007
www.utahrenfaire.org
Utah Renaissance Faire Facebook Page
2021 Utah Renaissance Faire Facebook Event