An Afternoon of Fantastical Delights
Third annual Gem City Renaissance Festival returns
SUNDAY, SEPT. 6
Hear ye, hear ye! The time has come for Livaelore Events' third annual Gem City Renaissance Festival in Frontier Park. Enjoy an afternoon of fantastical delights with a mixture of live entertainment, over 32 artisan vendors, food trucks, historic demonstrations, and more.
Although Ren Faires originated in the 1960s, today's social media exposure has made these events more accessible than ever. Characters like The Pickle Priest and Jack the Whipper draw hundreds of guests to the larger venues every year. Acknowledging that travel may not be viable for everyone, event organizer Britty Lea (40 Under 40 Class of 2025) launched the Gem City festival in 2024 with hopes of bringing that familiar sense of "enchantment" all from the comfort of our community's backyard.
"There are so many moments throughout the day that bring a light to my heart," said Lea. "The joy of a child speaking with the fairy queen, the delighted looks of guests as our friend the Big Skeleton walks around, the passion of our friends at Steelhead Western Martial Arts as they showcase their weapons demonstrations, the audiences cheering for our entertainers – the list goes on and on."
In addition to crowd favorites, new faces and attractions pop up every year, drawing attendees from all over the tri-state area. In 2025, Lea noted over 1,500 people in attendance with an expected continued growth as we head into this year's event. "This is a great opportunity to wear a fun fantasy outfit, spend time with friends, and explore all that is tucked away in our little festival," said Lea.
Guests who have pre-registered are also given access to a variety of additional perks. Pay- what-you-can tickets will also be made available at the gate the day of the festival.
Rain or shine, all are guaranteed to have a magical time.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. // Frontier Park, 1501 W. 6th St. // Pay-what-you-can // For tickets and info: gemcityrenaissancefestival.com
