Renaissance Festival kicks off with ‘Game of Thrones’ weekend
In the game of Florida Renaissance Festival, you joust or you eat turkey legs.
When the 27th annual festival returns Feb. 9-10 to Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, the opening weekend will be “Game of Thrones”-themed.
“Game of Thrones” weekend will kick off with fight demonstrations with knights provided by Medieval Times in Orlando, along with photo opportunities with a replica Iron Throne. Strolling characters from the Seven Kingdoms, prepped on the latest TV storylines, may weigh in on the Night King’s chances when “Game of Thrones” returns to HBO for its final season beginning April 14. .
This year’s medieval shenanigans will span six weekends, featuring Time Travelers (Feb. 16-18) and steampunk-themed costumes, Viking Invasion (Feb. 23-24), Wenches (March 2-3), Swashbucklers and Sirens (March 9-10), Celts and Highlanders (March 16-17) and Harry Potter (March 23-24).
The other period elements, as always, remain intact: jousting on horseback, outrageous cockney accents from bearded storytellers strumming lyres, and the bodacious, curvy bodices. Visitors can likewise hurl juicy tomatoes as servants in the stocks, try archery and ax throwing, or shop for medieval weaponry. For the adults, there’s a cleavage contest during Wenches weekend, and a twicedaily pub crawl ($29 at 1 and 3:30 p.m.) that departs from the main entrance and includes pints at five beer vendors.
The Florida Renaissance Festival will take place 10 a.m. until sunrise on Saturdays and Sunday Feb. 9-March 24, plus Monday Feb. 18, at Quiet Waters Park, 401 Powerline Road, in Deerfield Beach. Admission costs $11-$25. Parking is free, but the park charges $1.50 for entry. Call 954-776-1642, or go to Ren-Fest.com.