Upstate Renaissance Faire Returns to Norwich for Fourth Year

The Upstate Renaissance Faire returns to Norwich on August 29 and 30 for its fourth annual event, transforming the Chenango County Fairgrounds into an interactive historical village. Gates will remain open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine.

Around 50 vendors are scheduled to participate, offering period-appropriate items including hand-woven clothing, leather armor, pottery, walking sticks, and glassware. Artisans will also perform live craft demonstrations such as loom weaving and blacksmithing across the fairgrounds.

Organizer Heather Baker, who operates the event alongside her husband, noted that the festival has expanded steadily since its inception while maintaining an active community of participant vendors.

"We have both [vendors and entertainment]. Right now, we're hovering around 50 vendors," said Heather Baker, Organizer of the Upstate Renaissance Faire.

Baker added that many attendees and sellers remain fully in costume during the entire two-day gathering.

"It's a very tight-knit, community all in itself. People go in full dress, take on personas, and they stay in character the entire time," said Baker.

The artisan lineup includes local craftsmen alongside regional merchants specializing in medieval accoutrements.

"You're definitely going to find some jewelry. We have armorers, there's leather work, leather armor for arm bracers, belts, bags, things like that," said Baker.

Several participants bring traditional trades to the venue grounds each summer.

"floral arrangements, hair pieces, walking sticks. We have a few blacksmiths coming," said Baker.

Organizers expanded the vendor selection to bring diverse items to the Norwich fairgrounds.

"We've got so many vendors this year," said Baker.

Baker expressed enthusiasm for the variety brought by participating merchants.

"They vary in what they do," said Baker.

Merchants include a specialized woodworker, tarot card readers, and local beverage vendors offering craft beer and mead.

"We've got quite a number of vendors who really have never even heard of a Renaissance Faire, and they've just fully embraced it and love it," said Baker.

The scheduled entertainment lineup features live combat demonstrations by The Society for Creative Anachronism, storytelling by Thimbleberry the Wood Sprite, firebreathing by Daniel Greenwolf Celtic Magician, acrobatics, and live falconry displays.

"That's one of the things that we have really pushed for is keeping everything family friendly," said Baker.

Local and regional food providers such as Hocus Smokus BBQ and Sir. Palmer's Shack will serve food, while Dragonfire Distillery and Awestruck Ciders supply alcoholic beverages subject to ID verification.

"It's a pretty wide range of everything," said Baker.

Baker noted that the options cater to diverse attendee tastes.

"something that everybody will certainly enjoy," said Baker.

Traditional food offerings at the festival will also include giant pickles.

"Any typical Ren Faire goer will understand that's a giant pickle. It's phenomenal when you're hydrated," said Baker.

Attendees frequently wear fantasy, historical, or modern pop-culture costumes to the fairgrounds.

"You'll see a lot of people in costumes. A lot of patrons come dressed as modern day characters. You may see Star Wars people or Star Trek people wandering about," said Baker.

The dusty, active environment of the grounds often leaves participants with what attendees call a signature sign of a full day of activity.

"If you've ever seen the Princess Bride where they are coming out of the forest looking dirty and bedragon, if you look like that when you leave, you had a phenomenal day at Ren Fair," said Baker.

Baker described the dust accumulated by patrons after enjoying the day's outdoor activities.

"You were having fun, you leave with what's commonly referred to as 'Ren Dirt.' It's just dust from head to toe," said Baker.

General admission tickets cost $17 for adults, $15 for children ages 6 to 13, and $10 for first responders, military, and healthcare workers with ID, while children five and under enter free.

"Honestly, as long as you have fun and enjoy the experience, that's what we're hoping for," said Baker.

Baker explained that the event focuses heavily on interactive atmosphere rather than traditional amusement rides.

"You're going to see a lot of things that you probably wouldn't expect to go see at a fair. There's not necessarily rides or anything like that. It's more craft vendors and an immersive interactive experience," said Baker.

Organizers advise first-time guests to engage directly with the performers and artisans throughout the venue grounds.

"If you fully immerse in the experience and interact and embrace it, you will be," said Baker.