Time to Get Medieval
Photos courtesy of The London Bridge Renaissance Faire.
Hailing all the way from Spokane, Washington, the Epona Equestrian Team will entertain and amaze all in attendance. After all, what kind of renaissance Faire would it be without a Joust?
Is there any better location to have a Renaissance Faire than against the backdrop of the original London Bridge and authentic English Village? The Lake Havasu City London Bridge Lions Club doesn’t think so! Some come one, come all, this New Year, to three days of frivolity and fun at this inaugural event that is sure to appeal to both young and old. The first-year event has a spectacular lineup of talented performers that would make a bard smile; jousting galore, musicians, comedians, minstrels, belly dancers and a shire-full of demonstrations, food and drink, plus arts and crafts.
Kicking off on January 1-3, 2016, the event will be preceded by gala ball. The New Year’s Eve Royal Ball will welcome in 2016 with a huge party. Join Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Court as they ring in the New Year 1588-style! The festivities begin at 8:00pm, with hors d’oeuvres, a speech from the Queen, and Royal Court introductions, followed by a rousing bagpipe performance by David Marshall. The evening will progress with select Renaissance songs by Briauhnna Phelps (aka Colette la Trouvere); famous Juggling Comedian Thomas Wood; magic from Merlin; and dancing to live music by Gallows Humor. The evening will be an amazing trip back to Medieval times and will also include other fun appearances from a beefeater and assorted wenches; a silent auction and prizes; a photo booth; costume competitions–including crowning the King and Queen of the Ball–and generally overall bawdy behavior!! The party will continue with DJ music and dancing till the big countdown and a champagne toast at midnight. The revelry will go on until 1:00 am, when it will be time to head home and get some sleep before the excitement of the Faire begins. The New Year’s Eve Royal Ball will be held in the Bridgeview Room at Shugrue’s Restaurant on 1425 North McCulloch Blvd., in Lake Havasu City.
Demonstrations in Medieval fighting techniques will be on display.
The London Bridge Renaissance Faire will be held in beautiful Lake Havasu City, on Windsor Beach in Lake Havasu State Park, 699 London Bridge Road. If you’ve never experienced a Renaissance Faire, it is a festival with stage and street performers in period costumes, bringing medieval history to life in a fun and dramatic way! The London Bridge Renaissance Faire is proud to welcome The Epona Equestrian Team from their home in Spokane, Washington! Here are a few of the other exciting events scheduled for the Renaissance Fair:
- Equestrian games: The Team will perform in the arena, with one show Friday & Saturday that includes a joust, equestrian skills at arms, & sword fights. Each show is approximately 40-45 minutes in length.
- Historical Western European Martial Arts: One of our side stages will feature a Western European martial arts demonstration (one show each day). Audience members will be tutored on basic swordsmanship & its historical significance.
- Aim & shoot: Have your cameras focused for amazing photo opportunities, as team members will be intermingling with patrons throughout the fair.
- Fisticuffs: Be prepared for sword fights that may erupt in the shire.
- Intrigue: There’s talk that a Spanish spy is lurking in the village. If the rascal can be tracked down, the traitor must be captured & taken to the Queen for justice!
- Additional entertainment will be provided by various Renaissance guilds that will interact with faire-goers and populate the shire with their demonstrations and encampments. There will also be a marketplace with arts and crafts, where you can see artisan demonstrations and even participate; and delicious food and drink (including the Troll Under the Bridge Tavern). An exciting adventure for the whole family!
Let the call go out to all corners of this fair land. You are invited to make history with us and start a new tradition. Whether you are into LARP (live action role-playing), simply dressing up, or feel like you should have lived in the Elizabethan era, please join us and make our London Village come alive!
The Royal Tea: Join our beloved Queen Elizabeth and many of the members of her court for a cup of tea and the fineries of the royal kitchen, including scones and tea sandwiches. There will also be speeches and pictures – your chance to live like a Royal!
The Royal Victory Breakfast: The breakfast, hosted by our local Boy Scout Troop, will include delicious pancakes with butter and maple syrup; sausage; orange juice; milk; and plenty of hot coffee. A final chance to say farewell to the Queen and her Royal Court.
The Royal Tea and The Royal Victory Breakfast will be held near the main stage on the Faire grounds.
Hear Ye’ Hear Ye’
Here’s all you need to know to attend this historic event—the Inaugural Annual London Bridge Renaissance Faire.
New Year’s Eve Royal Ball: Thursday, December 31, 2015 from 8 pm–1 am
London Bridge Renaissance Faire: Friday, January 1 & Saturday, January 2 from 10 am–8 pm; Sunday, January 3 from 9 am–1 pm
The Royal Tea: Friday, January 1 & Saturday, January 2—two seatings: 11:00 am and 3:00 pm
Royal Victory Breakfast: Sunday, January 3 at 9:00-10:30 am
WHERE:
Windsor Beach in Lake Havasu State Park located at 699 London Bridge Road.
ADMISSION
All tickets are available for purchase online or at the venues. Faire and Ball tickets purchased online will be at a discounted rate. These discounts do not apply to tickets purchased at the gate. Tickets can also be purchased at the Havasu Balloon Festival Store at 2109 McCulloch Blvd at the online discounted rates plus an additional $1 fee to benefit the Havasu Balloon Fest store. For online purchases, please be sure to print out your receipt and bring it to each event for admission.
The following rate schedule applies for the 2015-2016 London Bridge Renaissance Faire:
- New Year’s Eve Royal Ball Ticket: $44.95 (Subject to availability, seating is limited; $49.95 if purchased at the door)
- Adult (ages 13 +) Faire Ticket—Single Day: $10.00 ($12 if purchased at the gate)
- Adult (ages 13 +) Faire Ticket—Weekend Pass (Fri/Sat/Sun): $15.00 ($17 if purchased at the gate)
- Children ages 12 and under: FREE Faire Admission
- Tea with the Queen and Royal Court: $5.00 (all ages)
- Royal Victory Breakfast: $5.00 (all ages)
- Parking: FREE for the Royal Ball; $2 per day at the Faire (cash only)
Note: Seniors (ages 65 +) and Military members may receive a $2 discount off the Ball and Faire discounted ticket prices. This discount is only available at the events with proper identification. These discounts are not available online. Cannot be combined with other coupons or offers.
Who Decided To Have A Renaissance Faire?
The original idea for the London Bridge Renaissance Faire and New Year’s Eve Royal Ball grew out of a Project Management class at the local Arizona State University campus in Lake Havasu City. After meeting with the Lake Havasu Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Project Management Group invited the Lake Havasu City London Bridge Lions Club to become the primary sponsor and beneficiary of the proposed Renaissance Faire. They graciously accepted the challenge. All proceeds from sales and sponsorship will go to fund our Renaissance Ball and Faire operations. Any surplus funds will be reinvested in our community, with a percentage going to scholarships for ASU students attending the local Lake Havasu campus.
For more information, call (928) 846-7093 or email us at [email protected]. Visit us on the web at www.LondonBridgeRenFaire.com.