Photography provided by Greg Chaney: Chained Images Photography
On October 5 and 6, the Indiana Renaissance Faire returns to the Ruoff Home Mortgage Music Center, 12880 E 146 St. The grounds will be magically transformed into Billerica. Attendees become denizens or inhabitants of a Golden Age kingdom ruled by Queen Elizabeth. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., both days will be packed with on-going entertainment that will delight children and appeal to adults.
“The number one show people seem to like to see is the joust,” says Adam Fivush, 2019 chairman. “Two combatants in full armor who are riding huge horses and carrying lances, try to knock each other off. It’s performed by the Knights of Valour Joust Troupe, a group that travels all over the country.”
Fivush continues, “A lot of the acts travel the ‘Ren Fair’ circuit. For some, it’s their actual job and for others, it’s a weekend thing. The Rogue Blades, a sword-fighting comedy show, have been at the Faire every year ever since it began. Red Rum is Indiana’s very own pirate band and they perform traditional music as well as lots of parodies and jokes.”
Besides the other scheduled acts, which range from Punch and Judy Puppet Theatre to Molotov the Gypsy, there will be plenty to see and do. Fully costumed Queen Elizabeth and her court including jugglers, acrobats and comedians will be strolling throughout the streets. Visitors can visit the over 70 artisan and merchant booths. Of course, there will be food vendors.
“Turkey Legs — that’s the important thing,” Fivush says. “We’ll also have cheesecake on a stick and Keltic style food such as drunken mushrooms and Scotch eggs. We have a beer tent for those 21 and older, with lots of different craft beers and mead. It’s the only place where we have musical groups who may have risqué lyrics with double entendres.”
The Faire, which began in 2004 as the Fishers Renaissance Faire, has always existed for the purpose of raising money for a cause. For twelve years, it raised money to benefit the Fishers Sister City Association’s high school student exchange program with Billericay, England. When that partnership ended three years ago, it rebranded as the Indiana Renaissance Faire and moved to the Ruoff Center. As a non-profit organization it is run by an all-volunteer board of directors and last year, according to Fivush, it raised around $10,000.
“This year the money we raise will go to the Fishers Rotary Club,” Fivush says. “In the past, we have supported Kiwanis. On occasion, when we had extra cash, we would do some college scholarships for Fishers students. Recently, the mom of a Billericay exchange recipient told me the experience was life-changing for her daughter who now works for student exchange/study abroad company in Chicago. That’s the impact we were looking for when we started the event.”
Tickets for children ages five to 12 are $5 and adults pay $12 in advance or $15 at the gate. There are discounted prices for current or military veterans as well as large families.
“There is nothing else like it, it’s a one-of-a-kind thing,” Fivush says. “It appeals to everyone and anyone who enjoys history, music, comedy, juggling, jousting, acrobatics, pirates or craft beer.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit IndianaRenFaire.com.
