The annual Renaissance Festival is like a mug of mead to a knave’s parched lips. Dressed to the gills in garb of yesteryear, magicians, knights, dancers, wenches and rabble-rousers will celebrate the time when Europe emerged from the Dark Ages—minus the public filth. The festival is a throwback, where iPhones and Polo shirts are left behind, replaced with artful jargon and ruffled blouses. And, lo, it’s just a brief 25 minutes from Salt Lake City in Weber County’s wooded fields of fairies with views of enchanted mountains.
There’ll be delicious Renaissance grub to be purchased with the coin of the realm—try the turkey legs—and don’t miss an opportunity to win a raffle for a freezer-full of dragon meat (quarter buffalo). If that isn’t enough, check out Knights of Mayhem: fully grown men in more than 100 pounds of steel, mounted on horses going at full gallop, in full-contact jousting. They’ll be joined by dozens of other performers, musicians and vendors.
Renaissance Festival & Fantasy Faire @ Millcreek Hollow, 3109 W. Pioneer Road, Marriott- Slaterville, Weber County, May 7-9 & 14-16, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m., $12. UtahRenFest.com