Inaugural two-day festival held at 4-H Fairgrounds
CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE — Kings and queens, lords and ladies broke bread with commoners and some oddly dressed others May 2-3 at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
The inaugural Cape May Renaissance Faire featured two days of fun, fantasy and history — medieval style.
Entertainment was held on four stages spread out among the merchant stalls alongside the paths of the makeshift town, featuring artisans juggling, playing music, singing songs and making merry.
Participants were challenged to try their hand at archery, eat a giant turkey leg and peruse the vendors peddling handmade and unique wares.
There also were demonstrations of falconry, horseback riding, and weaving; story telling; dance lessons; armored knights fighting and fairy bubble parties.
Holly Irving, a Connecticut resident who organized the festival, has been a vendor, vendor coordinator and staff coordinator for renaissance fairs more than 15 years and finally decided to start her own.
She and her family vacationed in Cape May in her teens and have “a lot of fond memories of the area.”
“I knew there was not a lot to do in spring before summer, so I wanted to bring something to the community, something they can enjoy before the summer hits,” Irving said.
Despite visiting Cape May, she said she was not familiar with the 4-H Fairgrounds but thought it “seemed like a great opportunity; let’s give it a try.”
Irving said it could not have been a better venue, providing a wooded backdrop for the event.
“Everybody was talking about the layout of the grounds with trees for shade, making it feel like walking through a little town,” Irving said.
The weekend was sunny but cool and breezy, but that was not a negative.
“The weather turned out in our favor,” she said, noting there was rain but the clouds kept it cool for people in their costumes.
Irving said just short of 5,000 people attended the two-day event.
“It went amazing; we felt so much love from the community,” she said. “Patrons came in happy, enjoyed the shows and the vendors did wonderful. It was a terrific turnout. I absolutely plan to come back next year.”
Irving said she got the word out by traveling around the area with a group in costume, sending out news releases and hitting up social media.
She also worked in collaboration with the New Jersey Renaissance Faire on a cross-promotion in which attendees can earn progress in the Garden State Gantlet.
Organizers encouraged attendees to dress up for the festivities, and many did.
Vendors included Melissa Walpole of Mel’s Magickal Meals, who was serving turkey legs, turkey sundaes, Scotch eggs, loaded potatoes and other foods sure to stick to the ribs. She also had vegetarian, vegan and glute-free options.
Ashley from Meinhaldt Makers was demonstrating wood-turning techniques.
Chaste Treasure entertained with its frolicking drinking songs, folk tunes and original parodies while Doug Stafford of Bad Idea Variety Show juggled flames and knives while providing razor-sharp banter.
Laura Daly of Daly Riders offered equestrian-mounted entertainment focused on education and inclusion, while Thimbleberry the Woodsprite shared interactive fairy tales.
Ginger Rose, Pieces of 8 and The Rowdy Rovers provided musical accompaniment while knights battled with swords in the combat arena.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Cape May Star and Wave
