2013 Faire Scenario Released!

What hero of legend will arrive at Crossford this year?  Watch our 2nd preview video to find out at this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm4G1kLQ3kk&feature=youtu.be

The village of Crossford, home of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire is surrounded by a magical woods.  In other ways, it is a typical village in England in the 1560's.  The citizens raise their families here and work their fields and live their lives.  But, each year, the magic of the woods brings a hero out of history to this village to solve some problem they are involved with.  They are about to make a choice that history knows is the wrong one, and the citizens of Crossford and the good Duke and Duchess of Northumberland help to set them back on their path.

In our first year, 1558, Maid Marian had agreed to marry the Sheriff of Nottingham.  The citizens of Crossford put her back in the arms of her true love Robin Hood.  In 1559, King Arthur was brought to Crossford to save the Round Table itself, and save it we did.  Last year, 1560, D'Artagnan actually came back in time from the 1600's with his friends the Three Musketeers.  He was going to forsake his fate and destiny to become a Musketeer to save his lady love.  By the end of the day, he was welcomed into the ranks the Musketeers and history breathed a sigh of relief.

This year, it might go something like this...

The Duke's court begins as it always does.  The citizens of Crossford and their guest wait to see what hero of legend will emerge from the woods this year.  There appears on the stage an English King and a noble from the north, set to make a deal that will forever alter the course of their two nations.  Suddenly, bagpipes ring out on the hill and a lone Scotsman steps forward to bring sense to his friend who has lost his way.  Tensions are high as the king clearly sees this man as his enemy.  It is up to the Duke and Duchess to bring things to a resolution that will not lead to the crossing of swords at his own morning court.  Chess match anyone?  

Join William Wallace and Robert the Bruce this year as they battle for the future of Scotland versus King Edward "Longshanks" at the 2013 New Jersey Renaissance Faire.

The New Jersey Renaissance Faire will be held at glorious Liberty Lake in Mansfield Township, NJ, Interstate 295 exit 52 A.  11 AM until 6 PM Saturday and Sunday, rain or shine.  Visit the website at www.njrenfaire.com for discount tickets and more details.

2011 Season a Great Success

Thank you to everyone who came out to support our second annual New Jersey Renaissance Faire.  We have heard nothing but positive feedback and the number of guests we had greatly increased from last year.  The reaction of the kids to our show was one of the most rewarding things for me to witness.  Everyone had a ball at the faire, and for the children, the magic was very real.  Whether it was meeting larger than life heroes like the Lords of Adventure or King Arthur and his knights, or searching for answers in the Quest for the Rose game, smiles were worn all day long on the young faces.

We are all very pleased to be a part of what we are creating here.  It is great to see the power of real human interaction to the people of our culture who are used to TV and instant messaging.  The most common compliment i heard about our show was how welcome everyone felt and the strength of our cast in bringing the streets to life in our little village. 

Many old friends returned, like the Four Pieces of Eight, Rising Regina, the Mad Mechanicals, Adamo Ignis, Marshall Laww, the Merry Musick Makers and we also had many new friends and entertainers that were a resounding success.  The crowd really enjoyed Emomojo Jousting, David Smith the One Man Sideshow, Mars Mandrake the Magician, Passtimes Musicke, Ash Cary and his falcons along with many others who joined us this year as well. We will have many more in 2012.

We also saw many other special events and services arrive.  Jason Klein joined our management team and brought his glass blowing expertise, Howling Woods Farms brought majestic wolves and we added many new games including the Fight Circle, The Paste in Ye Face, and a fully functional catapult supplied by a local scout troupe.

All in all, our faire is on the grow and i am sure i missed some very wonderful additions that we had.  The greatest addition however, was all of the new faces and patrons who graced us with their presence.  It is that support that lets us keep doing what we love to do and we are forever in your debt.  We hope to see you again in 2012. 

Kind regards, TJ Miller and the staff of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire.

The New Jersey Renaissance faire will be held on June 2, 3 and 9, 10 of 2012, along with a school day on Friday June 1.  Visit us at www.njrenfaire.com

Wild Beasts invade New Jersey Renaissance Faire

     We had an amazing opening weekend and thank you all for coming out to support our show.  This weekend the village of Crossford will be invaded by all manner of wild beasts.  Wolves and wolfdog hybrids from Howling Woods Farm were at our Shire last weekend and will also be on June 11 and 12.  Howling Woods provides education about wolves and wolf hybrids to the public and places these beautiful animals.  They do not encourage breeding, but try and help these majestic animals that are with us now.  Visit their website at www.howlingwoods.org and come visit them this weekend.

Also joining us this weekend will be the falconer Ash Cary who many of you may know from the Pennsylvania Rennaissance Faire.  He will be flying his birds twice a day this weekend in an educational show about human kinds history and relationship with these beautiful raptors.  You can also see him this fall at the Pennsylvania Rennaissance Faire.

It is also highly likely that we will be having rescue greyhounds at our faire on the weekend as well.  If you are looking for a companion, they will even be able to help you adopt one of these amazing animals. 

As always we will have six stages of quality entertainment for you to revel in all day at the New Jersey Renaissance Faire including a full scale joust, which also uses rescued horses as well.  Strike up a conversation with one of our armored knights about the journey those mighty steeds took to arrive here on our joust list.

Join us this weekend for our final weekend of the 2011 season.  Join our email list and find discounted tickets at www.njrenfaire.com and Long Live the Duke!!!

New Jersey Renaissance Faire opens this weekend!

June 4th the NJ Ren Faire opens for 2nd season

Make sure you get to Liberty Lake in Columbus, NJ this weekend for the second annual New Jersey Renaissance Faire.  We have more than tripled our group of merchants, including historical glass blowing by Jason Klein who recently did the prop for the newest Pirates of the Caribbean movie and is slated to work on the upcoming Hobbit film.  We have added a full gaming glen with such merriment as Jacob's Ladder, a rock climbing wall, knife and axe throw, the Fight Circle that has been at PA Ren Faire for years, a dunk tank with beautiful mermaids and much more. 

As always our in-house cast will bring the streets alive in the village of Crossford and try to help save King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table from a wicked curse placed on them by the beautiful and evil Morgana La Fey.  The NJ Renaissance Faire players are joined by many talented independent acts as well including the amazing Rising Regina whose harmonies and old rock style we fell in love with, David Smith the One Man Sideshoe who was seen on America's Got Talent and Carson Daly live, William Shakespeare the Bard of Avon, The Mad Mechanicals who put the "Shake" in Shakespeare, fire breathers, gypsy dancers, a full scale joust and many many more.  

We also have an official gate now that you can see in the picture above that opens onto beautiful views of Liberty Lake.  Come out and join the merriment, fun will be had by the whole family.  See you at the faire.

Discount tickets are available online at www.njrenfaire.com or you can get tickets at the gate.

Gaming Glen

2^nd Annual NJ Ren Faire to feature interactive games

“Gaming Glen” to include rock climbing, archery, live-action role playing, and more! 

BURLINGTON COUNTY, It’s one thing to watch the action – and it’s another to be part of the action!

The 2^nd Annual New Jersey Renaissance Faire – coming to Liberty Lake in June – will feature an all new “Gaming Glen” area where visitors will be able to partake in a variety of interactive, family-friendly games and contests. These will include a rock-climbing wall, archery, live-action role-playing, and much more.

In addition to all the medieval-themed entertainment, feasting, and shopping that are the hallmark of the event, children will also be able to participate in a “fight circle,” which essentially features strapping on armor and popping balloons with practice swords. In addition, local Boy Scouts will be bringing a working catapult and will hold an axe and knife throw.

“For this year’s fair, our goal is getting visitors even more immersed in the merriment,” says Andy Pritikin, director of Liberty Lake.  “The interactive activities in Gaming Glen, along with all of the other days-of-yore fun, will give just about everyone who attends more than enough to do.”

Additional information on the King Arthur-themed New Jersey Renaissance Faire – along with discounted tickets – is available at www.njrenfaire.com. The event’s blog is at http://www.njrenfaire.blogspot.com. Also featuring live jousting, the fair begins on the weekend of June 4-5, and concludes on the weekend of June 11-12.

Only Four Weeks to Go!

It is only four weeks from tomorrow when we will open our gates for the second annual New Jersey Renaissance Faire on June 4th.  Last year the villagers of Crossford helped Robin Hood save Maid Marian from an evil marriage plot of the Sheriff of Nottingham and this year King Arthur and his entire Round Table are in peril.  Come and help King Arthur and Merlin save the day.

This year will see the addition of another thirty or more quality merchants, more exciting entertainment, a new gaming glen with various games to be played by adults and children alike.  Rising Regina, the band that was a hit last year will return for more amazing harmonies and music.  The nationally known One Man Side Show, David Smith who was seen on America's Got Talent and Carson Daly Live will be here this year.  We will have a full-scale historical joust twice a day.  Weekend two will see the addition of a falconer flying live birds of prey.  As always, our cast of players will entertain you in shows and on the streets all day long and bring the village of Crossford to life before your very eyes.  Huge and tasty turkey legs will be served up along with many other fine foods and snacks to satisfy the meanest hunger.

Come and witness the magic and joy of the New Jersey Renaissance Faire.  We look forward to seeing you all.  Long live the Duke!

The New Jersey Renaissance Faire at Liberty Lake in Columbus, NJ.  June 4, 5, 11, and 12.  Each day from 11 AM - 6 PM rain or shine.  Visit www.njrenfaire.com for details, directions and discount tickets.

Jousting at the NJ Ren Faire

Witness the thrilling ancient spectacle of jousting 
– right here in New Jersey!

 Armed knights to compete at 2^nd annual 
New Jersey Renaissance Faire

 Event will be hosted by Liberty Lake, on June 4-5, and June 11-12

Spectators at this year’s second annual New Jersey Renaissance Faire, held on the grounds of Liberty Lake in Columbus, NJ will have an opportunity to view a staple of medieval tournaments – the combat sport of jousting. As originally conceived more than a millennium ago, jousting is a deadly serious contest between mounted knights, who charge each other with lances and shields. 

“These jousting knights are going to bring the excitement level at this year’s faire to dramatic new heights,” says Andy Pritikin, director of Liberty Lake Day Camp. “Those who are fortunate enough to be watching will truly feel they’ve gone back in time to the Middle Ages.”

Like some sports, jousting can potentially be quite dangerous.  To protect themselves, participants don a heavy, metal helm, armor and shield.  The armor used in modern competitions replicates 12^th century designs, with some additional modern padding included to enhance safety. 

The most successful knights are those who have the finest mounts. It takes an extremely courageous, well-trained horse to willingly gallop directly toward another knight’s mount. Years of preparation are required before any horse can be deemed ready to actually participate in the sport.

The rules for modern jousting – more or less passed down for centuries – are extremely specific. Points are gained by using the lance to strike the chest or the center of the shield of the opposing knight. Any participant may be disqualified if he touches any part of the opposing knight’s body except the center of the chest.

Additional information on the second annual New Jersey Renaissance Faire – along with discounted tickets – is available at www.njrenfaire.com.  The event begins on the weekend of June 4-5, and concludes on the weekend of June 11-12.