Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire – 45 Years of Fantasy Fun

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire is wildly popular throughout our three state area, and is almost “next door” to Annville Inn.  The Faire is open select dates through October 28^th.

Actually, Annville Inn is in the heart of three Renaissance Faires in our region: 

• The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire (about 15 minutes from Annville Inn).  By far, one of the most popular “Ren Faires” in or region.
• The Philadelphia Renaissance Faire (about 1-3/4 hrs. from Annville Inn). A “day trip”
• The Maryland Renaissance Faire in Crownsville, MD., just outside Annapolis.  (about 2-hrs. from Annville Inn…depending upon traffic.)  A “day trip”

Her Majesty invites you to experience the fantasy of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. Forty acres of jousting knights and royal delights await as hundreds of colorfully-costumed characters breathe mirth and merriment into a 16th century English village.

Feel fully immersed into the Renaissance era.” A little sense of whimsy is good for the soul,” one Faire goer stated.  

45 Years of Festive Fantasy at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire

This year, the Faire celebrates its 45^th year, and “whimsy” isn’t the only  thing showcased.  Besides costumed actors and Guests you will find robust live music including flame throwing bagpipes, crowds cheering on jousting knights, flame jugglers, mead available throughout, and a nearly endless assortment of vendors and entertainers. 

 “Our 40-acre site has grown from one weekend, just a simple jousting tournament that was done in the parking lot, to interest people to come on-site [and] to interest people to purchase the wine that’s produced here. We still produce the wine here, and we’re still growing the Renaissance Faire.” says Candace Smith, the communications and sales director for the Faire.

Annville Inn’s Guests take a trip to another world and another time at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. As a Smith says, “People like to get immersed in it. They want the escape and they like to play. I like to call it a huge playground.” 

Walk through the front gate and you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to a different era.

The Faire’s Swashbuckler Brewing Company, Mount Hope Winery, Lancaster County Cider and Spirits Distilling Company serve their craft beverages throughout the Fairegrounds for guests to enjoy with delicious foods from the Royal Kitchens. Scores of Renaissance craftsmen line the streets ready to barter their wares.

Recharge in Peace After a Day of Revelry

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, also known as the “PA Ren Faire,” draws folks to Annville Inn from throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Delaware. We have also Guests stay with us from Ohio and other states who came to attend the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and who make Annville Inn their official “headquarters” for their adventure. 

After a fabulous candlelit gourmet breakfast by Innkeeper Chef Rosalie, our Guests venture out to the Pa Ren Faire for a day of adventure, music, delicious treats, theatrical performances and jousting.  They return to the Inn to unwind, relax, and escape the noise and crowds at Annville Inn’s very quiet country location. Often, they go back out again in the evening, “hitting the Faire”  a second time!

The Faire’s Entertainers are the Main Attraction!

The full-time, professional Bacchanalian acting company consists of actors, singers and dancers from across the country.

The Bacchanalians perform swashbuckling swordplay shows, Shakespearean dramas, interactive improvised scenarios, and rollicking music and dance numbers while portraying Elizabethan characters.

The Blackfryar company is comprised of part-time experienced actors, enthusiastic novices with no prior theater experience, college students, senior citizens and everything in between! This cast is primarily responsible for bringing the working Tudor village to life by creating interesting and fun 16th century characters.

The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire’s Website has a fascinating feature:  Photographs of at least 42 members of the cast. Each individual image shows the actor in costume and has a brief description of what they do to bring the hustle and bustle of the village to life. 

For the 45^th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, numerous new features have been added including new food options, merchants, entertainment, and an aviary.

Event Information

Enjoy your stay here at Hershey’s Five Star Annville Inn, famous for

• Rosalie’s breakfasts and hospitality
• Our quiet country elegance
• Amazing views…

And more amenities than most inns: 

• Full sized in-ground swimming pool
• Six-person hot tub
• 20-seat movie theatre with Dolby 7.1 Surround just like at the “movies”
• Plant conservatory glassed in on all sides with a wood burning fireplace for winter
• Three acres of botanical gardens with over 600 roses and 10,000 bulbs. 
• Large game room with pool table
• Three dining areas for breakfast,
• Jacuzzis in Guest Rooms,
• Most rooms with private entrances and decks
• Fireplaces in all rooms
• King and queen beds throughout
• …and much more to enjoy at Annville Inn!