If you’ve read my blog for the past few years, you probably know that I thoroughly enjoy the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival. Jimmy and I went in 2011, 2012, 2013, and were able to finagle my sister and our friend, Caleb, into going with us this year!
The renaissance festival is a celebration of the 16th century and all things medieval. It’s been wonderful to see Pittsburgh’s festival grow since Jimmy and I began attending in 2011. This year’s celebration included jousting, comedy shows, a marketplace, glass blowing, fire swallowing, acrobatics, music, food, games, and so much more.
If you’ve never been to a renaissance festival, I definitely recommend checking one out if you ever get a chance. I didn’t know much about medieval celebrations prior to 2011, and I have no clue how Jimmy and I first heard about the renaissance festival, but I’m glad we started going each year! It’s a lot of fun, and I truly feel like I’m in another time period during the time I spend at the festival every year. It’s simply amazing.
Here are some pictures from our visit on Sunday…
When we walked through the marketplace, we came across a huge welded statue of… I don’t know what. It’s the top picture. What do you think it is?! The last picture above was taken during a jousting match. It was somehow goofy and intense at the same time.
We really got into the spirit of the festival when we decided to have our picture taken in costume. We just couldn’t resist! We went into a booth-like structure and workers picked out outfits for us to wear. Hannah’s laughter (and gasps) are still ringing in my ears today. She didn’t understand how a corset worked, and the worker tied hers nice and tight. It was pretty funny :). She couldn’t stop saying how glad she was that we live in an era of hoodies and sweatpants!
The boys were wizards and us girls were wenches. The photographer was asking us how we all knew each other and was so confused by how we were all related (sisters, husband and wife, friends, etc.), and honestly didn’t believe that Jimmy and I are married. It was awkward and–now that I can reflect on it as a past event–amusing.
We also enjoyed trying knife throwing (which I was terrible at), looking at pottery (I want to take a pottery class now), watching a very skillful acrobat, and taking pictures with mascots of the festival’s king and queen walking around. All in all it was a very enjoyable day!
Living My Full Life 
That always looks like a lot of fun. I would love to go something similar sometime.
It truly is! I think you would enjoy a renaissance festival, Hollie 🙂
I love it when people get really into character at those kind of events. It’s fun to feel like you’re transported to a different time and place!
Yes! I agree!! So many people come to the festival dressed up. It’s so awesome. I love feeling like I’m in a totally different time/place, too! Doesn’t happen very often, so it’s a cool experience!
We don’t have a renaissance festival here and the closest I have heard of is Charlotte. One of my friends is really into it and dresses up and goes each year. It looks like you guys had a great time :).
If you ever have a chance to go to the one in Charlotte you and Clay should check it out!! It’s just so unique, you know?! We had a really great time!! It never gets old, haha.
I’ve never been to one of these, but have always wanted to go. How fun, and I have to agree with Hannah about the hoodies and sweats.
I bet you would love going!! It’s very unique and interesting! Haha to the hoodies and sweats!! I couldn’t agree more 😉
I’ve never been to a renaissance festival before but have been to a Celtic festival to scoop ice cream for my previous job. It was fun and the part I most enjoyed was the music.
I have never been to a Celtic festival! That sounds like fun (get it… sounds.. because of the music ;)) I would love the music!! Did they have dancing? I love seeing the Irish dancers do their jigs!
So much dancing! And even more potatoes!
Hahaha love it!!
Great photos! I love the one of you all in costume. 🙂
I’ve never been to a Renaissance festival, but I’m interested in learning about the past. My favourite era is the Georgian period (18th – early 19th century) and I’d love to go to a Jane Austen festival.
Thanks, Grace! Isn’t learning about the past so fascinating?! I just love it. Are there Jane Austen festivals? That’s so cool! I would love to go to one, too! With you 🙂
Yes! 🙂 The main JA festival is in Bath, England — the 2015 festival started yesterday, in fact. There are festivals in the US too. I Googled “Jane Austen festival USA” and apparently there is one in Pittsburgh!
Seriously?! When is it?!
The 2015 one was in March: http://www.janeaustenpgh.org
I’m so bummed I missed it!
I’ve never been, but Nate had his brother’s bachelor party at one last year! 🙂 The guys had a BLAST, and Nate definitely wants to go back.
I love the pictures you took (especially the ones where you dressed up)!! It looks like you had SUCH a fun time. 🙂
Oh my goodness, a bachelor party would be an absolutely blast at a Renaissance festival!! Thank you! We had so much fun, especially dressing up 🙂
Those costumes look so adorable! Cute picture 🙂
I’m not sure how I would survive if corsets were a normal fashion staple today, haha!
Haha, thank you!! The costumes were so much fun!! I totally agree with you on corsets, too!
It all looks so fun!! Maybe our Renaissance Faire will have a dress up tent next year – what a brilliant idea! You guys are adorable. So glad you had fun! 🙂
I bet you and Christopher would look so cute in Renaissance gear!! And thanks!!