Today was a sun-shiny beautiful day. So, we decided to go on a family outing to the King Richard’s Faire in Carver, MA.
Renaissance fairs are something to behold and the King Richard’s Faire is no exception. Roaming musicians, bawdy pirates, full bosomed women in tight fitting corsets and flowing skirts, and beer. Lots and lots of beer.
Oh, turkey legs too. How could I forget that? There’s something primal about biting meat off of a bone. Quite fitting for a Renaissance festival.
There’s a lot to do at the fair, but my kids especially enjoyed the skill games. Shannon has always been into archery. And with Disney’s introduction of the latest heroine Merida, she was keenly interested in launching a quiver full of arrows.
I, on the other hand, appreciated the live music which was a constant throughout the day. Bagpipes, dulcimer players, singers, continuous musical entertainment that kept my toes tapping all day long.
But the absolute winner of the day was Jacques ZeWhippeur. This guy not only knows how to crack a whip, but he’s pretty damn witty too.
He makes Indiana Jones look like an amateur. And that is saying an awful lot since I’m a Harrison Ford fanatic.
Any guy that can slice a can of Coke in half using a whip scores lots of points in my book.
And then he took his shirt off and lit his whip on fire. Holy smokes it’s getting hot over here. I wonder if he does birthday parties? Preferably mine. Minus the fire of course.
There’s also the requisite face painters. There was no escaping that.
But even they were incredibly talented and made the girls feel like princesses for the day. When in Rome, as they say…
And the animals! Oh, how enthralled we were with this owl. Such a glorious creature that we appreciated getting a closer look at. Isn’t it amazing?
The girls enjoyed the ponies and loved riding through the woods on this beautiful fall day.
We all marveled at the tiger show. It’s certainly not every day that you get to see a White Bengal Tiger up close.
And the sweet little cubs were such a joy to watch….
Shannon asked if we could take one home. I think it’s time for her to watch a National Geographic special on how they hunt for their dinner. She might change her mind.
Ok, this is my favorite picture I took today. How adorable is this? This baby chimpanzee was the sweetest and the crowd absolutely fell in love with him.
I know that this is meant to be a form of punishment, but at least you don’t have to wash dishes or do laundry if you are stuck in this for a day.
And every parent of a teen should have one of these hanging around. I bet I could get them to do their homework if I did.
Such a fun day. If you live in the New England area, be sure to check out the King Richard’s Faire. It’s a lot of fun for the entire family. If you do decide to go, keep these things in mind…
The fair runs only on weekends through October 21st
Parking is free
The games, rides and food are not part of admission. Bring lots of extra cash. For example, a turkey leg is $8.50 (it’s huge) and a plate of chicken fingers are $8.00 (surprisingly yummy)
There’s beer and wine available until 5:30pm
Get to the tiger show 1/2 hour before it starts as it fills up and you need a good seat for this show
Be sure to catch Jacques ZeWhippeur (best show of the day)
Face painting is big here and they do a nice job, but it’s pricey($20 per kid on average)
How would you like to win a family four pack of tickets to the fair? To enter, comment on this post by leaving your first name, last initial, and the state you are from.
Please only enter if you will be in the area during the time the fair is open. Entries must be received by Wednesday, October 10th 11:59pm ET. Good luck!
I received complimentary tickets to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own.
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OMG Melanie! I was just talking about this fair with the significant other today! I would love to win this prize and share in these experiences! The kids would love it! Krista B, MA.
Patrice D., – MA – have always wanted to go but never made the time for it I guess!
I love King Richard’s fair and haven’t been there in many, many moons! Saturday is my birthday…(hint, hint) !!
It looks like you guys had so much fun!! Thanks for another great giveaway Melanie!
Nicole B
RI
I went to the fair years ago and would love to go again. Thanks.
Oh what fun! My Hubby & I went to a similiar one in CT a few years ago – but nothing as exciting as this!! Would love to win – Thanks for the opportunity!!
Kathy E., Enfield, CT
It would be fun to take our family! Cristyn H. from MA
My seven-year-old son and five year old daughter would love this!!!! He’s obsessed with knights and she loves queens and princesses! I went when I was a kid. Thanks for the chance to win! Lisa from MA.
I went once years ago with my husband! I’d love to go with my daughter & have her bring a friend! Christine S. from N.H.
Would love to win! Had been wanting to go but was a bit put off by the prices….
Emily L., Hanson, MA
We’ve never experienced this and my kids would love it – especially the archery!! You have such great giveaways! Thanks, Amy V., MA
Would love to win this. My husband loves King Richards Faire. We haven’t been there in years.
Jennifer S., Chelmsford, Ma.
My hubby has always wanted to go. Will be a good surprise for him and the kiddos.
Vandi R, Stoneham MA
This looks like so much fun!!! Also, I love your boots? May I ask where they are from? I am probably about the same height as you and have a hard time finding the right boots!
Amy C.
CT
Why thank you Amy! I got them where I get most of my family’s shoes. 6pm.com They are made by Anne Klein. I love them and they were relatively affordable at $99.
Thank you! That is a great price and they are super cute!
I’m not entering into the contest but I wanted to comment on those awesome pictures!! I’ve never been to a Renaissance fair but I’ve always wanted to go to one! They look so neat! Love the girls painted faces! Those face painters did an amazing job!
Thanks Angie! There certainly were plenty of Kodak moments!
Kristine P. NH
I went to a fair like this when I was little and would love to share the experience with my kids as well! Just too expensive.
So I would love to enter!
Heidi R. From MA.
Heather B from MA I live sooooooo close to this and have never been. I think my girls would really love this!
No need to put me down for the win, I just wanted to say I love the face painting on the girls! So pretty
We took Ralphy there last year and he was freaked out by the monsters roaming around LOL!
Thanks Janet! It was much bucks, but they loved every second of it. I hated to wash it off. Literally money down the drain! Lol!! The girls were pretty wary of those monsters too!
From Reading, MA
Great pictures. I’ve always wanted to go and haven’t yet. The kids, 8 & 11 would love it. Thanks for the review. Lynda B. from N.H.
Elaine P from MA
MY family would love to go, but I always do a double take at the tix price, Yikes!!.. Anyway, would love the chance to let the kids experience it. : )
The last time I went to King Richard’s Fair was in 1986!! It was so much fun we went twice that year! Mel, are Smee and Blog still hanging there harassing the folks? Smee or Blog got mud all over my white jacket the last time I went. But it was all in fun. Come to think of it, they got mud on my ex’s Members Only jacket too (does that show how much has changed since the last time I went LOL)?
Lol, yes that sure does date you. It dates me too for remembering those jackets! I didn’t see the mud people, but they were there. We stuck with the whip guy. Eye candy to the max.
Boy I haven’t been to a Renaissance Faire since high school (a long, long time ag0) and I remember those giant turkey legs back then too! Looks like a fun day! How did your archer do?
She did better than her father, lol. And let me tell you, those turkey legs were pretty darn tasty. Even better than the Magic Kingdom turkey legs!
We would love to go! I’ve never been. My kids would adore it.
I’ve always wanted to go but never have. Would love a chance to win tickets.
Jen K
from MA
Such fun!!! No need to enter me in the giveaway since I’m way down South, but sounds like a great time together!!
It was a lot of fun Patti. Do they have fairs like that in your area? Seems like most states have a similar type fair.
Kellye m
Rhode island
We’ve never been, but we’d love to try it!
Oops! forgot to include our state….
Donna B.
MA
We’d love to go!
It would be fun to win and get to go again. Haven’t gone since the kids were little; we’re talking decades ago. I have a personal friend who plays the town drunk. I have often thought of applying for a job as either a singer or a recorder player. I know a lot of tunes from that time in history.
Patricia N. MA
I haven’t been in a long time but every year I say I want to. Then I see the price and I change my mind lol.
Heather C in MA