Niles renaissance fair is back at Plym Park
NILES, Mich. – A renaissance fair is an experience like no other, with people wandering around dressed as mythical characters. Attendees who spoke with ABC57 News said it’s a way to escape reality, especially during these pandemic times.
“To release yourself from the everyday life, and just be someone different and have your own fun experience and fantasy,” James Arndts, who traveled from Kalamazoo said.
The annual Niles Renaissance Fair is back for the third time and many people couldn’t be happier to get outside to enjoy being transported into a fantasy realm of medieval times, where anything can happen.
James Arndt’s, who’s been to his fair share of renaissance festivals said “It’s refreshing, it makes me happy that I can be back out and see everybody and experience this. But, it makes me feel happy that we can get back to old routines kind of again.”
Those old routines meaning many dropped the masks under new guidance from the CDC. Organizers tell me masks were optional for guests and to choose what made them feel most comfortable.
And organizers have even noticed exponential growth in attendees on just day one of the weekend-long events.
Carrie Nyenhuis credits it to people getting outside and spending time with family.
“Our turnout is huge because people are so excited to just get outside and do something new because we haven’t been able to in a year. But,” I think that year gave us an extra push I guess, with an increase in vendors and everything,” Nyenhuis said.
From live entertainment like jugglers and magicians taking the stage to demonstrations and vendors selling items.
There is something for everyone to enjoy.
‘There's always cool things happening. There's always great shows, funny shows, there’s exciting sword fighting shows, like the one over here, the swords of valor. So there’s always something you’re going to find that cool, interesting, and beautiful,” Nate Oddey from Portage said.
The fair will be open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.