The 35th annual season of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at Mount Hope Winery kicked off all the way back when it was hot and humid (August 1, 2015) and continues every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to roughly 8 p.m. until Oct. 25. We say roughly because we were still meandering around until 9 p.m. and were the last car in the free, grassy knoll lot – a sign of true geekdom.
Each weekend showcases a unique theme that offers a different experience every time. We chose to attend the Halloween themed weekends toward the middle of October for maximum nerd-watching enjoyment. Themed entertainment, spontaneous music ensembles, wacky wenches and foul-mouthed pirate quartets are just a few fun souls you will encounter. People in character and costumes (and what characters they are with some amazing costumes too), fun foods (ye olde turkey legge!), participatory contests and activities pop up all over the shire throughout the day.
The shops offer an array of handmade and amazing craftsmanship, which is sometimes lost in today’s modern sent-overseas mass factory making world. Pewter, moccasins, corsets, leather, bows and arrows, armor, chainmail jewelry (one with a butt flap… for the ladies, we think), swords and weapons were just some of the detailed crafts for sale.
Single-day tickets are available at the gate for $30.95, but can be purchased in advance online for $25.95. Children’s single-day tickets (age 5-11) are available at the gate and online for $11.95. Season Passes ($100 for Adults, $45 for Children ages 5-11) and Royal Passes ($170 for Adults only) are also offered. For more information on pass packages, visit our Season & Royal Passes Information page. Have a group of 15 or more? Discounts are available for groups through Mount Hope’s Group Sales Department.
Welcome to the Mount Hope Winery!Beautiful fall foliage was everywhere.While you wait in line, try this sample of wine.A corseted wench hands out booklets that have a map and more inside to people in the long line that wraps around to the grassy parking lot.First stop, the quite addicting honey mead.This year they offered not so secure adult sippy cups for $8 with $6 refills on wine. This is the glorious honey mead.The pirate ship is the view from the bar so off we go inside.Cool armor and weapons from Game of Thrones are for sale.These fellows don’t play around in their full costumes.Back outside the pirate ship, some scallywags linger and smile.Many people roam about on stilts, this one was making a balloon animal for a small child.These brave young girls aren’t afraid of no ghoul.The ghoul looks scarier at night.A rouge looking couple enjoy the nightfall and smoke billowing out of the large pumpkin.Treason breaks out as the night falls, but good always wins at this joust.This knight raises his jousting stick high.Knights everywhere!A knight rides by on his horse.These fine folks serve to egg the audience on and who to cheer (and boo) for next.The king and queen’s castle where the joust is to begin.This ghoul has been walking around all day.You can see the fine craftsmanship here and the price reflects that.This German woman has been making bows and arrows for ages.The place to learn and watch about arrow and bow demonstrations.A mother and daughter pair stay warm in heavy frock.Fair maiden with her squire make a lovely pair.A couple play fights while their friend looks frightened.A father and son team protect the realm.These two were adorable next to the wooden mugs.Some more lovely ladies.A group of lovely ladies explore the shire together.And of course the court jester is the last of the bunch.A warm wench follows behind.M’Lady and her maiden walk about the shire.Roar, says this fanged guy.The land of dragons awaits.A steam punk octopus? Incredible!A mummy or some Egyptian items to take home.Crystal skulls to glass, in case you lost yours.The pewter shop had a medley of fun, freaky items inside.You can fight your friends for a small fee.Perhaps this little unicorn is actually a pegasus?The sweet sound of bagpipes floats from above.Here’s where they hatched.Baby dragons anyone?A large pumpkin awaits the joust that is coming soon.Amusing duo on stage cracking jokes.We liked this handmade skull staff of these two very warm and furry folks.So hungry we had to stop and get this Octoberfest feast of meat, more meat, hash browns and sauerkraut.
Armor just hanging outside a weapons store and no, there’s no one in there (we think).The angel with her unicorn pony with the prettiest braid (the pony, not the lady).Men making leather goods like elves in a shop.We needed a seat and found one next to a man with an alluring sitar.Actors on stage performing a whimsical comedy.Actors on stage performing a whimsical comedy.Actors on stage performing a whimsical comedy.Actors on stage performing a whimsical comedy.Some more honey mead? Yes, please.Cell phone cases or purses? Either way they were adorable.These ladies were having so much fun shopping.This crew color coordinated their impressive costumes.And then you realize it’s a bar so you get yet another refill. Bars are all over the shire, they like you happy and tipsy.Wenches singing draw you near.Feeling horny? This shop has you covered.The smell of incense and burning sage is delightful on a breezy fall day.
Pickles on the move for $1!Need your fortune read? They have that too.This wrinkly pup was too much cuteness to not photograph as his mom sold her crafts.A little non-invasive bling for your ears.A rare sighting of a geisha was found near an old Scotsman.A whole slew of crystals beckons to be touched.
This fair lass was enjoying a pickle, one of the delightful snacks on a stick.A whole store dedicated to bees and the products they can produce.Some under bust corsets always give the ladies a boost.Real corsets were sprinkled throughout the shire as well.This large pumpkin scarecrow has guts of gourds and is pretty huge.If you didn’t come in costume, you can dress up for a photo instead.A curious beggar asks what kind of looking glass we are using.An actor speaks in accent to a little pumpkin witch.Swords were everywhere in the shire.Just in case you wondered where to find all these goodies, look for all the gargoyles!A typical Venetian style mask with long nose.Does this gargoyle look familiar? It should as it was in The Ghostbusters.A slightly more evil looking fellow to rest on top of your head.These slightly remind us of something from the Labyrinth.So many horns!Look at the amazing detail on these cat masks.Beautiful Venetian style masks lure us inside a store.A play of lords, ladies and the king and queen wrap up the night.The King and Queen hold hands and the audience loves them.This guy does quite an impressive jump mid-stage!Always a slice of comedy in every show, these guys killed it.A lovely lady looks over her shoulder during the performance.Ye olde turkey legge and kettle corn are always classics – and quite addicting.
Taking a moment out for a booze soaked cigar in the lounge is never a bad idea and a good way to people watch.Pre-soaked barrels for whatever booze you like are available next door.The Dungeon which includes replicas of torture devices and ways to die is perfect for Halloween.We’re not sure what he is but he’s kind of cute.More horns if you’re feeling horny.Pewter dragons line a table, one holding a bottle of wine.Pelts of fur and tails to wear are available at this spot in the shire.A blacksmith makes a sword in this demonstration of its red-hot tip.A parade marches through the shire.Fresh fake fish anyone?Ummm… not sure what’s going on here.Some very tall fall harvest people on stilts!Best way to end the day, some bacon mac-n-cheese!
