by Elizabeth Henry
In Fairburn, Georgia just 12 miles southwest of Atlanta’s perimeter, you can step into a world of kings, queens, knights, fairies and trolls. The 33rd Annual Georgia Renaissance Festival is open to the public Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., April 14 – June 3. It’s located near Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on I-85 at the Fairburn/Peachtree City exit. Ticket information is available here. You may also purchase tickets onsite at the information booth at the entrance of the festival.
The Georgia Renaissance Festival usually has a no pets rule and an unspoken rule of not allowing irrelevant costumes or cosplays. However, for only one weekend these rules are flushed down the privy.
The last weekend of April was declared Time Warp Weekend, “A weekend of Cosplay and Costume Contests where Fantasy meets History, and Superheroes meet Royalty,” according to the media release of the Georgia Renaissance Festival. An extra bonus for festival goers was the inclusion of a pet friendly weekend. Both two-legged and four-legged visitors partook of the cosplay festivities.
Deadpools, Time Lords, Saint Bernards, Steampunk enthusiasts, Chihuahuas partook of turkey legs, elf ears and the mastery of the joust were all in attendance. Costume contests were held to crown the best cosplayer for both pets and people.
The Georgia Renaissance Festival attempts to satisfy the interests of all their visitors with unique themed days to ensure no visit is the same. The Festival even has a dedicated weekend to American Sign Language, so even their hearing impaired visitors can experience the same joy of the Renaissance.
The following are the rest of the announced theme weekends for the Georgia Renaissance Festival from their media release:
May 5-6
Maytoberfest Weekend: This weekend, sample a variety of German Beers and Bavarian Food while enjoying special guest musicians.
May 12-13
Highland Weekend: The Village welcomes the Scottish and Irish this weekend. Bagpipes, drums and kilted dancers abound. Bring your clan! Sunday is Mother’s Day – The first 100 Moms through the gate get a flower.
May 19-20
Pirate’s Weekend: Pirates of all ages are welcome to compete in the Costume Contests, or play Walk the Plank Trivia. It’s a weekend full of fun and mischief for Pirates of all ages! Sunday, May 20 is ASL Celebration Day. American Sign Language interpreters will be on stage at select shows throughout the day.
May 26-28
Memorial Weekend: 3 Days to Play! The Festival is open Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day Monday. Bring the Family out on this holiday weekend. All military get in free at the Gate with ID, plus up to four family members get in for just $8 each.
June 2-3
Romance Weekend: Last chance to find romance at the 2018 Festival. Take part in a Mass Renewal of Vows Ceremony on Saturday or Sunday. Last chance for a turkey legs and a frothy ale, too. See the exciting finale of the 2018 Equus Maximum Joust Show, and all of your favorite Festival performers one more time, ‘cause after this weekend, we’re History… ‘til next year.
