FESTIVALS
May 1-2
Nebraska
Renaissance Faire |
Saturday
& Sunday
July 24 - 25
Old West Festival
|
Sept
25-26
Midlands Pirate Festival
|
The 8th annual “NEBRASKA RENAISSANCE FAIRE & Medieval
Pageant” will return to the regions newest theme park
setting on May 1st & 2nd, as the first big outdoor festival
of spring. Celebrating the National Day of the Cowboy in July,
the ranch will host the 2nd annual “Old West Festival”.
The 3rd annual “Midlands Pirate Festival” will be
held the last weekend in September and will be a great way to
kick off our Halloween pumpkin season.
The expanding Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch will again
host one of the most unique events in the state. The site is
being continually enhanced with new structures and fun features
that will serve for multiple weekend events.
Some of the many designs put in place for these large festivals
are the near full scale pirate ship (crashed on a sandy beach),
a large fairy realm treehouse, a Peter Pan Neverland stage,
the Green Gables Stables (for the jousting horses), a jousting
arena, a festival pavilion, a rock hound shop, a performance
amphitheatre, a beer garden patio and period food vendors, and
the elaborate mystery cave. A variety of quaint merchant shops
are also being remodeled for the beginning of a growing Medieval
town.
The hi-light of the events will be the nationally touring performers,
stage shows and comic village characters who will enliven the
five stages and living history realms. Producer Gregory Schmidt
states “we will be showcasing some of the best acts from
the other big Renaissance, Pirate and Old West festivals in
the Midwest. Once people find our website, they realize just
how big the Nebraska Faire is becoming and what variety we offer
for all interests”.
Another attraction that the festivals brag is the array of artisan
merchants who travel from all over the U.S. to offer their goods
for sale. This year the custom jewelry merchants will be demonstrating
their highly specialized skills.
Named ‘Nebraska’s Best Family Fest’ the NEBRASKA
RENAISSANCE FAIRE is specifically designed to appeal to the
interests of all age groups. This aspect of the ‘family
fun’ theme includes about a dozen hands-on activities
and interactive exhibits.
The Regional Renaissance Reporter calls the growing Renaissance
faire at the Bellevue Berry & Pumpkin Ranch “the next
up-and-coming history celebration event to take its place alongside
the big ones such as in Kansas City and Des Moines….”
Gate times are 11am to
6pm.
Admission for the Nebraska Renaissance
Faire is $11 for adults, $6 for kids (10 and younger)
with tots 2 and under free.
Admission for the Old West Festival and
the Midlands Pirate Festival is $11 for adults, $6 for
kids (10 and younger)
with tots 2 and under free. Family four pacts (2 adults, 2 kids)
$25
Group rates are available and parking is free.
Event information is found at www.nebfaire.com
