Knights & Damsels! The Renaissance Fair Is Almost Here! Oct. 10-12 At Sunset Park

Clark County Parks and Recreation presents the 21st Annual Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival as it returns to Sunset Park (2601 E. Sunset Rd. Las Vegas) Oct. 10 – 12.  Traveling back through centuries when knights and kings, maidens and wenches, minstrels and jesters ruled the world, the festivities begin on Friday, Oct. 10 and feature more than 50 shows per day, more than 100 artisans, historical reenactments and plenty of food and drink to satisfy the masses.

The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $13 per day advance for adults and $8.00 per day advance for seniors ages 60 and older as well as children age five to 12. Ages four and younger are free. Three-day passes can be purchased for $30 for adults and $20 for children ages five to 12 and seniors ages 60 and older. Combo packs including admission, an event T-shirt and an 18x24 commemorative poster are also available.  Three-day passes are available through Ticketmaster and must be redeemed at the event box office for a wristband Oct. 10, the first day of the fair. Advance tickets are available through Ticketmaster; event box offices will be open at the festival 9am daily during fair. Ticketmaster Fees may apply. Day of show prices increase on site when gates open to $15 adults and $10 for seniors and children. Three day passes will only be made available at the gates on Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Guests looking to feast will be delighted in the variety of food and drink offerings including whole English feasts, meat pies, bangers & mash, beers, ales and more.  Alcohol sales begin at 2 p.m. on Friday and sales will cease at 9 p.m. both Friday and Saturday evening and 4 p.m. on Sunday. All alcohol sales are ages 21+ with proper identification.

This year, the Mahones, Wicked Tinkers and Killian’s Angels will headline the fair’s main stage, as well special stage performances from Dread Crew of Oddwood, Black Irish Band, Bogtrogger’s Union, Uffington Horse, Pandora Celtica and Mullaney.

From an Irish pub to an Academy Award-winning movie, the Mahones have been at the forefront of Irish Punk music since 1990.  Heralded as pioneers of the Irish punk scene, and internationally recognized as one of the best and hardest working punk bands around, they have released 11 albums throughout their 24 year career.

Pioneers of the growing Tribal Celtic movement, the Wicked Tinkers have been playing haunting, heart-pounding bagpipes and irresistible tribal drums as a professional touring band since 1995. With the addition, several years back, of the mesmerizing drone of the Australian didgeridoo and Bronze Age Irish horn, the magic was complete.

           

Based out of Las Vegas, Killian’s Angels has recorded two CD's.  Their original arrangement “Celtic High Step” (aka “The High Reels”) was featured in the October 2012 premiere episode of the Emmy nominated CBS drama, “Elementary.” Along with being listed as a “Must See Band” in Pauline Frommers 2008 Las Vegas Travel Guide, Killian's Angels won National Radio Honors in 2006 with King World for their original version of the Jeopardy theme song. Their warm, unpredictable and energetic shows continue to entertain audiences from all walks of life.​

Knights of Mayhem return to the Age of Chivalry bringing a full-contact professional jousting show that is second to none. For some, it is a real-life passion and thrives outside of the movies and Renaissance fairs. Charlie Andrews leads the Knights of Mayhem, a group of modern-day Lancelots and Galahads dedicated to transforming this medieval sport from a staged act to a professional sports phenomenon that will sweep the globe. For these “knights,” jousting is no dinner show. Donning 130 pounds of steel armor, they mount 2,000-pound horses and charge at each other with solid hemlock lances at speeds up to 30-mph, while peering through a quarter-inch eye slot in their helmets.

Along with main stage performances, several smaller stages will feature entertainment by the Gypsy Time Travelers, Pandora Celtica, Hanging Jester Comedy Troupe, Mullaney, Nature of Mercy, the Shifting Sands Belly Dance Troupe, Tipsy McKracken and the Corkers, as well as Whiskey Bards, Uffington Horse, and costumed performers such as Mysto “The Magician”, the Queen’s Swordsmen and the Snake Army. The festival presents more than 50 shows per day along with historical re-enactments, jousting tournaments, medieval pageantry and more than 100 artisans – including blacksmiths, stained glass designers, jewelers, wood workers, toy makers, perfume blenders, stone carvers and sword, dagger and armor craftsman – to demonstrate and sell their wares.

In combination with concerts all weekend, the fair will host a royal parade featuring kings, queens, warriors and peasants on Saturday and Sunday. The festival also offers full-contact jousting tournaments, no-holds-barred gladiator battles, black powder demonstrations, strolling minstrels, contortionists, magicians, storytellers, jokers, jugglers, flame eaters, belly dancers, trained parrots and pirates. Additional attractions include bow and arrow and axe target games, medieval barber and surgeon demonstrations and Renaissance guilds. In the 16th Century Village, German, Italian, Ottoman Turk, French, Celtic, Polish and British military encampments meet on the Field of Honor for battle.

Parking is available for free at Sunset Park.  Overflow parking (with free shuttle service) will be made available at Del Sol High School (3100 E. Patrick Lane, Las Vegas) on Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Guests should refrain from parking at area businesses as they will tow unauthorized vehicles.

Patrons may bring one sealed bottle of water, sunscreen, blankets and still camera. No unauthorized vending, concessions, merchandise, literature or promotions allowed. Any participants in costume must have all related props or weapons peace tied, or those items will be denied at time of entry. No carry-in food or beverages, pets, lawn chairs or weapons (with or without permit) are allowed inside the festival area.  No re-entry is allowed except for guests who have purchased a three-day pass. ATMs will be on site and located by the north entrance gate, next to the Royale Miller Stage and next to each food court.

Event sponsors include Clark County Parks and Recreation, Miller Lite, My LVTV and The CW Las Vegas.

Those interested in the Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival can call (702) 455-8200 or visit the website at www.lvrenfair.com or connect on Facebook or Twitter. For more information on Clark County Parks and Recreation, please visit their website or like on Facebook.