The Michigan Renaissance Kickoff Party was the highlight of my Sunday (8/4/19) and I am excited about the 2019 Michigan Renaissance Festival (Mich Ren Fest) season!

The first time we attended a Mich Ren Fest event was our first year in Michigan. It was a magical experience and we instantly fell in love with the Renaissance festival!

Good Life Detroit
Our first visit to the Michigan Renaissance Festival 2015!
Good Life Detroit
My sweet Zephaniah was just a baby at the time. We dressed up the kids in costumes for the Michigan Renaissance Festival.
Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast
Elijah dressed up as a monk for the Mich Ren Fest 2015.

The Kickoff Party was a celebration and a sneak peek of the 2019 season. At the party, there were fairies, knights, pirates, princesses, queens, and even a bridge troll. I also spotted a mermaid, which all of the kids just loved!

Michigan Renaissance Festival Kickoff Party
Snaggle Tooth Bridge Troll Mich Ren Fest 2019
Snaggle Tooth the Troll Bridge
Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast
Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast

There were Renaissance-themed pop-up shops such as,

  • Basic Earth Elements Hogwort Shop,
  • leather workshop featuring Renaissance costumes,
  • a children’s novelty pop-up with various dolls and fairytale costumes,
  • and an armory featuring swords and other Renaissance-period weapons.

Guests were even able to purchase advance tickets and season passes to Mich Ren Fest. Here are the ticket prices if you’re interested.

Basic Earth Elements Hogwort Shop
Michigan Renaissance Festival Kickoff Party
Michigan Renaissance Festival Kickoff Party
Michigan Renaissance Festival Kickoff Party
Michigan Renaissance Festival Kickoff Party
Michigan Renaissance Festival Kickoff Party 2019

MICHIGAN RENAISSANCE FESTIVAL 2019 SEASON DATES

The Michigan Renaissance Festival season begins August 17th and ends on September 29th. Here are a few key events and dates to keep in mind:

Pet Festival: (too bad I can’t bring my cat Sasha haha) August 17-18 — The weekend will showcase pet rescue groups, pet training demonstrations, and contests for dogs.

Highland Games: August 24-25 — The eight-series event will feature amateur games on the 24th and professional games on the 25th.

Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast
Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast
Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast
Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast

MICH REN FEST ESCAPE ROOM, PEGASUS, AND A VIKING INVASION?!

I connected with Entertainment Director Maria Christian and Resident Cast Director John Wray from the Michigan Renaissance Festival and they shared with me a few new highlights for the 2019 season.

Maria and John told me there will be great musical performances, a new escape room, and a PEGASUS!

“I think I am most looking forward to seeing the debut of our brand new cast members,” John said. “We brought on around 30 new members of the resident cast, and they have amazed me all throughout the rehearsal process.”

Maria Christian Michigan Renaissance Festival
Maria Christian is the Entertainment Director for the Michigan Renaissance Festival.

Maria shared she is looking forward to the resident cast members, too. “We have some musicians coming in on the stage. We have our quest. We have a lot of great special events we’re running every weekend.”

John did share one concern: A VIKING INVASION! There is one thing I fear,” he said. “We are going to be invaded by Vikings.”

“Yes, we have Vikings,” Maria jokingly sighed. “We do have Vikings this year! We’ll tolerate them ( she laughs).”

Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast
Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast
Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast
Group photo of the Michigan Renaissance Festival resident cast members who were at the Kickoff Party.

Visit the Michigan Renaissance Festival’s official website for more information about the schedule of events and ticket prices. Special thanks to John Wray and Maria Christian for taking the time to chat with me!

ALSO, CHECK OUT ON THE BLOG:

All photographs are courtesy of Jennifer Hamra for Good Life Detroit.

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].