Royal Entertainment
Each day of the Festival, the Queen and her court make an appearance on the grounds to partake in the many entertainments planned for her. A grand parade runs throughout Warwick with spectacle and pageantry!
The Joust
The Joust is both a means of battle and a form of entertainment enjoyed by the Nobility and commoners alike. Knights are pitted against one another in a series of mounted and armoured combats that are fought as contests. Through a series of battles, only one prevails through to the final round. He who is the last man standing or holds the best record throughout each round is declared the winner.
The Joust A’plaisance Tournament is a series of elimination jousts. An overall winner is determined after the last battle is fought and all other opponents have been eliminated.
The Grand Joust is defined by its extravagance. It is a true spectacle, designed to thrill and delight those who witness the tournament. Many years of ceremony and chivalric conduct serve as the foundation of the Joust. Knights fight for the affections of the Queen and eligible Wenches; a Knight would battle in honor of his lady and could win her courtship if he wins the Joust.
Who will reign victorious and impress the fair Queen? Join us for the tournament of the century!
The Wyldewood Players
Step through the gates of beautiful Warwick and you will soon find yourself greeted by the town’s jubilant citizens, who will warmly welcome you as one of their own.
One of the features that distinguish the Sterling Renaissance Festival from other Renaissance Festivals is its full-time professional corps of actors, selected from a national audition tour. Weeks of training and rehearsal go into the varied and colorful Denizens of Warwick you see around you.
The Wyldewood Players is the oldest full-time professional acting troupe of any Renaissance Festival, and the inspiration behind many interactive entertainment groups in major theme parks across the country.
In addition to the many Lane Encounters you’ll experience, The Wyldewood Players present stage performances throughout the day.
Some of the scheduled shows of the Wyldewood Players are listed here, the rest are unannounced events that happen all day throughout the Village of Warwick, so you’ll just have to keep an eye out.
Stage Antics Of The Wyldewood Players
The Warwick Inn & Bakery
The Warwick Inn is a three-story trove of all-day antics, improv, slapstick humor, and secret love. The bottom floor is a bakery and scullery where the baker and his son try to get a day’s work done without trouble from their two beautiful but wily scullery wenches. Above, the Inn houses the Lord Mayor’s family and a host of not-so-welcome guests from the town’s citizenry, as well as a few unwanted rogues. The result is a “faulty tower” of fun and mayhem. Inside the Inn is an intimate sit-down pub with an interior balcony open to the second floor, where unscheduled antics take place all day. On the Bakery side, you’ll find these hysterical adventures.
Scheduled Antics Take Place At … 1:15, 12:45, 2:45, 4:15
Braggart's Row
Next door to the Warwick Inn lies the worst real estate in the shire, peopled by the worst beggars, scallywags and rogues in the shire. Local legend has it that the rocky area is the remnant of an ancient stone road made by the Romans and cursed with bad luck. As far back as anyone remembers, all homes built here are eventually sucked into the inexplicably muddy earth. Here beggars live, thieves meet, and traveling rogues carouse. They tell tall tales and brag of their exploits––Swords flash, mud splashes, and hysterical misdeeds are done.
Scheduled Antics Take Place At … 12:00, 1:30, 3:30, 5:00
The Laundress Lair
Across the green from Braggart’s Bow sits the village’s brand-new wash pit. Due to an increase in filthy laundry, the village elders have granted the ladies of the pit a new place to do their washing. Here they make a spectacle of themselves in their obsession with cleanliness. They have elevated laundry to a bawdy artform, and villagers swarm the pit to watch the washing, hear the latest gossip, and see what kind of trouble the ladies get themselves into. You are allowed to come watch them do the cleaning, but be weary lest you yourself be cleaned!
Scheduled Antics Take Place At … 12:00, 1:30, 3:30, 5:00
The House of Physic and Graveyard
Here in our humble village lies a place devoted to the secret sciences and mysteries of the earth, an institute of higher knowledge and service to the troubled. The apothecary, barber surgeon, and the alchemist have combined forces to treat, heal, and impart wisdom to the villagers of Warwick. They will spend their day plying their crafts to the needy, and if things don’t work out, they have the gravedigger on call to honor and burry the unserved. For convenience, the House of Physic is located adjacent to the Graveyard. It’s a one stop shop. Got a problem? Stop by and visit the experts!
Scheduled Antics Take Place At … 1:15, 12:45, 2:45, 4:15
Royal Performances at Festival Stage
Her Majesty's Daily Diversion
Her Majesty and her courtiers amuse themselves and you with games and courtly revels.
A Courtly Duel
The court demonstrates their dazzling dueling abilities with rapiers, chivalry, and wit!
The Market Cross Stage
Public Execution
Public executions are a fine way of bringing the community together, or so sayeth the Sheriff. But is anyone really willing to do it?
A Rat Extravaganza
Emrys Fleet, the village's beloved rat catcher will be giving "live" demonstations.
The Trial & Dunke Stage
Court of Sessions
The constabulary mete out justice in the feted depths of the Frogge Pond twice daily. The accused are placed in the dunking chair to be dunked at the Sheriff's pleasure.
Stage Performers
We boast a top-notch lineup of Renaissance style acts, variety performers, and circus arts. Thrill to feats of daring and skill, laugh to uproarious comedy and storytelling, and marvel at the pageantry and beauty brought forth for the day’s enjoyment.
Warhorse Productions
An exciting recreation of a 16th Century Tournament Joust á Plaisance. A live, full-armored joust and swordplay performance. Don’t miss this keystone event of the festival!! Kelly Bailey, Dave Schade, Mark Desmond, Tom Buckley, John McKean, Shely Wimler, Kaitlyn Alexander, Barbara Mikles.
Judas & Magnolia
NEW escapes this year! Judas and Magnolia are a husband and wife team of award-winning escape artists. Through comedy, suspense, and abundant audience participation the pair work to tell fantastical narratives and bring crowds to the edge of their seats with death defying stunts. Stewart Minor, Ashleigh Packard.
Cirqa Brava
Cirqa Brava’s high-flying acrobats mesmerize & delight with their one-of-a-kind aerial & circus spectacle! Blending razor-sharp comedy with breathtaking beauty, these ladies’ antics will turn your world upside down, inside out, and leave you tangled in laughter! Jennifer Schlitt, Marina Petrano.
Theatre of Fools
The Wacky Chicken Show! Inspired by Shakespeare’s cock-combed fool, Theatre of Fools brings you on a hysterical joyride of absurd theatrics. Lloyd Brant and Rosie Cole.
The Harmless Danger Juggling Show
A madcap comedy show with more surprises than you can shake a baby at! It’s a funny juggling show with serious consequences. Dangerously daring deeds of dexterity done dumbly. Liam Selvey.
Clan Tynker Circus
the Clan Tynker Circus is a family of traveling performers who take you by the hand, leading you into their world of wonder. You will laugh, clap and be amazed through the whole show, and on the edge of your seat for the DANGER FINALLY! Rebekah Tynker, Elijah Tynker, Samuel Tynker, Serendipity Tynker, Santiago Tynker. *Performing 7/10-8/8.
Thom Sellectomy
Thom Sellectomy is the master of sword swallowing and other outrageous tricks. A man with a habit of risking his life in the name of comedy. Get something to eat after the show. Geoffery Cobb.
Emry's Fleet
The Big Rat Show is comedy noir. Her Majesty has declared the Big Rat Show to be a royal shift of whit! Featuring Wilber, the Dancing Weasel. “You’ll feel like you’ve had a nap!” Jim Greene.
Here be Pirates
Captain James and First Mate Rose regale with tales of their boldness, their bravery, and their stupidity on the high seas. Paul Herbig, Gracie Lee Brown.
Looney Lucy
Like Venus, but with arms.
The Lenny Burrows Show
Your favorite reveler is back on the streets, and on the boards at Wyldewood Stage. Anything can happen, merrymaking will happen. Frank Cardillo. *Performing 8/14 & 15.
Sir Real, The Puppetman
With puppetry, stilts and fantastical costumes, Sir Real, the Puppet Man makes a spectacle of himself. Look for him all in the lanes. Gabriel Quirk.
Borerraig Irregulars
Great highland bagpipes and drums, Scottish Highland Dance! Also, a full crew of Highland heavy athletic players will perform Highland Games demonstrations on the jousting field. Eric and Krysta Albert & Company. *Performing on Highland Fling Weekend only – August 3rd & 4th.
Morganeagle Falconry
Raptor display located at the old wash pit! Educational talks on the sport of falconry, and daily demonstration on the field of Honor. Normajean Albright, Mark Albright, Caitlyn Albright.
Giacomo The Jester
Magic, ropewalking and extremely obnoxious behavior. Carl Asch.
On the Bawdy Side, strong language and themes not recommended for the little ones
The Wildly Inappropriate Poetry Of Arthur Greenleaf Holmes…
Take a stroll down the malodorous backalleys of English literature with Britain’s poet laureate of the perverse. Not for children, the weak and infirm, or the morally indignant. Gordon Boudreau.
Filthy Irish Stories
Vulgar and hilarious stories told by “Churchyard” O’Shea, notorious highway robber. Irish myths and legends, violence, blasphemy, VERY bad language. What’s not to like? For the love of all that is holy, please don’t bring kids. Christopher Buehlman.
Music
The streets are filled with merry tunes from the many musicians and minstrels of Warwick! Dancing, singing, and revelry are abundant at the festival; whether you fancy a raucous pub song or a jolly toe-tapping melody, our skilled musicians of different genres will be entertaining the masses all festival long.
Crannog
Crannog is known for their adventurous arrangements of traditional music. "Thrash Celtic" at its best, they feature primarily Irish songs and Celtic tunes set to fiddle, concertina, percussion, guitar and vocals. Gabriel Decker-O’Gara, Frank O’Gara, Robert Flaherty, Tom Adams.
Cantiga
Plays ancient airs and dances featuring harp, viola da gamba, and violin. A free-spirited playfulness is characteristic of Cantiga’s sound, bringing the ancient songs to life for a modern audience. Martha Gay, Alexander Korolov, Thomas Nuendel.
Empty Hats
Celtic music “unplugged…but wired.” Carl Asch, Looney Lucy, Tim Ball, Daniel Grip.
Jim Hancock & Friends
A celebration of songs, encompassing maritime, love, drinking, and the best that Jim can find. He plays with everyone, and helps lead the band at the Pub Sing. Come sing along on your old favorites, and learn some new favorites! Jim Hancock.
Lord Cailean Carmichael
Scottish emissary to Her Majesty Elizabeth’s Court. He can be found playing the bodhran or other instruments at any opportunity. Kevin Pelletier.
Merry Mischief
A merry and mischievous band of minstrels play toe-tapping tunes, ballads, lovely ditties, and hug you with music! Marilyn Fuller, Tom Meier, Kristen Baskewicz, John Harnois, Stephen McSweeney.
Randal Piper
A charming mix of chaos and music, come and be serenaded by your favorite critical hits! Find him on stages and in the lanes. Andrew Sklar.
Rafferty The Piper
A wandering minstrel playing songs and tunes both jolly and soulful on both Irish and Scottish pipes, guitar, and mandolin. Look for him playing throughout the day in the lanes, and at Merchant’s Bend Stage at noon. Charlie Rafferty.
Wolgemut
Ancient bagpipes and bombastic drums! Early music for modern minds. Michael Gartner, Chris Klecka, James Barnes, Maddie Tietsma, Dan Williams.