The ORF Blog

April 10, 2024

Following the death of her less-than-popular half-sister, Queen Mary I, Elizabeth Tudor ascended the throne in 1559 and became Queen Elizabeth I, Gloriana Regina, the sovereign queen of England and Ireland. Almost immediately following this momentous occasion came the inevitable question posed to every monarch sooner or later, but most especially Queens who ruled alone: […]

March 20, 2024

As the popularity of ORF continues to grow, we see an increasing number of clever, creative, and delightful folk joining in with cosplay and garb creations that make the streets of Willy Nilly more colorful than ever! From detailed, historically accurate period works to the latest popular gaming characters, it’s always fun to know our […]

December 6, 2023

With two weeks left of Yuletide Village, many of us are excited to celebrate the midwinter season with our holiday of choice. Family traditions often go back generations, connecting with cultural expectations throughout the world and adding a sense of familiar comfort to the festivities. However, if you’re looking to bring a bit of the […]

November 29, 2023

Did you know you can tag us? Use #yuletidevillage or #ytv23 so we can find you on Instagram & TikTok! Feature Image Credit to: Ashlee Williams Yuletide Village is quickly becoming a favorite for Ohioans looking to spend the winter weekend amid twinkling lights. Every year we come together to celebrate the holidays in a […]

November 22, 2023

Are you ready to celebrate winter in a picturesque outdoor village? Yuletide Village 2023 starts this Friday, bringing an array of delights that are perfect for your family festivities. This glowing lights display expands across Renaissance Park, the same place as the famous Ohio Renaissance Festival, and gives folks the opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere […]

November 15, 2023

These days, most of us don’t till the soil ourselves. We don’t raise the turkeys or dredge cranberries out of a bog. But to those of our past who did this as a matter of survival, it only made sense to give thanks for the abundance that would keep them and their families alive. It’s […]

November 8, 2023

Forget freezers and canned goods. We live in an era where robots can bring food right to your table and your fridge can keep inventory and let you know when you run out of milk. We add preservatives to food to keep it shelf stable for longer, and we don’t feel as dependent on the […]

November 1, 2023

A (Very) Brief History of Low Comedy When looking back at the long tradition of ren faire entertainment, comedy comes in as the most prolific category. Whether it’s the bawdy aesthetic, the pageantry of color and sound, or the fact that we’re all walking around speaking in the accent of a country we fought a […]

October 25, 2023

With Halloween fast approaching, and Trick or Treat Weekend at the Ohio Renaissance Festival just around the corner, all sorts of shrieks and screams are waiting for you to enjoy! As we participate in this modern season of the supernatural, do you ever wonder what the Elizabethans believed in? Did they have a love for […]

October 18, 2023

Wel folowing his maistre and doyng whatever he hym commandeth, he shuld be good and kyndly and clene, glad and joyful and playeng, wel willyng and goodly to all maner folkes save to the wild beestis. 14th century quote as to the mannerisms expected of dogs In the Elizabethan world as well as modern times, […]