Renaissance faire returns to Carrollton with expanded acts, vendors and fantasy flair

The Great Camelot Renaissance Faire returns to Century Farms in Carrollton the weekend of Aug. 16-17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Creator of the faire, Logan Jimenez, promises it will be bigger and better than before.

“We expect this year to have a higher attendance based on pre-sales,” said Jimenez. “Last year, over the two days, it generated over $600,000 in a 30-mile radius of the faire, which is remarkable. Everybody seemed to have a really great time.”

Jimenez explained he created the Great Camelot Renaissance Faire and brought it to the Carrollton area because he is from the region and has several family members nearby. “I grew up in between New Philadelphia and Carrollton. I also have family in Malvern,” said Jimenez. “I wanted to come and do something close to home because there are so many people who are always looking for something to do and something different. Everyone deserves a place, even if just for two days, where they can come as they are or in costume, be who they want, and just forget about the world. Escape reality, come out to the Renaissance Faire and enjoy life.”

Jimenez says several new item vendors, food vendors and shows will be at this year's faire, including the Puppies of Penzance—a nationally touring dog show—and the award-winning Chaste Treasure a cappella group, which won the 2024 Renaissance Festival Award for Favorite Small Group Adult A Cappella Act. A leatherworker who has handmade boots for Pirates of the Caribbean and other movies, as well as Dolly Parton's live-show wardrobe, will also be at the faire.

“This year, there will be more benches, and we invested in multiple tents and shade because we want the audiences to be cooler and more comfortable,” said Jimenez. “The Century Farms Barn is air-conditioned, which is our tavern. Between the air conditioning, the tents, shade, and the stage in the woods, there will be a place for everyone to cool down.”

There will be jousting, archery, axe throwing, giant unicorn rides, live shows of all sorts several times a day, and costumed characters including the Pirate King and Queen, Sprout the Fae of Seeds, Garrbodge Duh Gamblin Goblin, and more. “I think that's a really cool thing—we have entertainers willing to hike across the country to get to Carrollton,” said Jimenez. “We're attracting some quality acts and merchants, and a lot of that is because of how great the community was to everyone. Some vendors ran out of stock on Saturday of the fair last year and had to stay up all night making more stuff.”

Jimenez extended thanks to Kerri and Michael Lambert of Century Farms, who host the faire, and to Spaw Days Dog Grooming of Dover, the lead sponsor. “Century Farms is a great location with beautiful grounds, and I think a lot of people were skeptical when they heard there was a Renaissance Faire coming—and I think it came together very well,” said Jimenez. “And I want to give a major shout-out to Spaw Days, who is our lead sponsor. They are the reason we're able to bring even more acts. We have a lot more support from local businesses this year, and we are thankful to them all.”

Jimenez has spent most of his life performing in circuses. He became highly involved in Renaissance faires in 2020 when the pandemic shut circuses down. A Renaissance faire in Des Moines, Iowa, stayed open, and he got a job working there. “I just fell in love with it and started working Renaissance faires all over the country,” said Jimenez. “I wanted to make a place people would come and choose your own adventure—go grab a glass of mead or watch a show or throw axes or just sit there and people-watch. You can't find a better place to people-watch than a Renaissance faire.”

For the future, his hope is to expand the Great Camelot Renaissance Faire into a multi-week event. Next year, he plans to launch a mentorship program for people living in Carroll County and surrounding counties who may be interested in leatherwork, beading, and other artisan crafts. The program would pair participants with experienced merchants and artisans to learn the trade. These individuals would then receive a free spot at the next faire to sell their wares.

“The goal is to not only give our residents something to do but really help the local businesses and to be able to help them reinvest in their community,” said Jimenez. “Obviously Carrollton benefits the most, but if you think about all the gas stations people stop at on the way in, and area stores and restaurants, the region benefits from this. I love where I come from, and I wanted to make something that will hopefully outlast me.”

Tickets can be purchased at www.camelotrenfaire.com, and Jimenez highly recommends purchasing them online to minimize wait times at the gate. Tickets are discounted online to encourage early purchase and prevent large lines from forming. Online prices are $20 for an adult weekend pass and $10 for children ages 2–12. A family weekend pass (two adults and four children) is available for $75. A single-day ticket is $15 for adults and $7 for children. Gate prices will be higher. The venue charges $5 for parking. Century Farms is located at 1121 Canton Road NW, Carrollton.