New Venue Site, New Theme, Same Vision

The Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire is back with a new venue, a new theme, and a twist on the name, but the same vision as they’ve always had.

“Our vision is to create a family friendly outdoor faire/festival blending history and fantasy to create a more varied experience for our community and guests,” said committee member Perry Hopkins, of Kin of Hope Natural Health/Perry’s Place llc for herbs, teas, and more. The other two members of the committee are Nancy Starr, of the Cedar Springs Historical Museum, and Kim Gillow, of Howard Christensen Nature Center.

This year the event will be held May 18-19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Howard Christensen Nature Center’s Camp Lily site on 530 20 Mile Rd, Kent City, with all proceeds going to support the nature center as well.

This year’s theme will combine European Renaissance (a time of cultural, artistic, political, and economic “rebirth” from the 14th century to 17th century) with epic fantasy characters (heroic & legendary characters similar to King Arthur, Catherine of Aragon, Robin Hood, Joan of Arc, Hobbits, Amazons, etc.). 

They are looking for people to audition to be a part of their cast. 

Cast auditions for the 2019 Cedar Springs & HCNC Renaissance/Fantasy Faire will be held March 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the Kin of Hope Natural Health Dance & Fitness Studio located at 90 N. Main Street in Downtown Cedar Springs (on the second floor above Perry’s Place llc for herbs, teas, and more.) They will be looking for cast to play various roles in human royalty, elf royalty, commoners, soldiers, and are open to other cast figures. If you have any questions please email Perry Hopkins at kinofhope@yahoo.com

This man dressed as Elrond the Elf at last year’s CS Renaissance Faire would be a perfect fit for this year’s theme, “Fellowship of the Springs.” Post photo by J. Reed.

Fellowship of the Springs May 20-21

The Cedar Springs Chamber of Commerce will turn Morley Park into Middle Earth next weekend, when they kick off their spring and summer events with the annual Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire, May 20-21. This year’s theme is “Fellowship of the Springs.”

“Fellowship of the Springs serves as a double meaning,” explained Chamber President Perry Hopkins. “Many of our faire’s fans are J.R.R. Tolkien fans. Since many of the Renaissance Community call Morley Park Morleyshire (for the Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire), it is only fitting we choose a theme that Tolkien fans can relate to. The theme also ties into all the new excitement around Cedar Springs (new library, new businesses, new future potentials for the community, etc.)”

Hopkins said this year’s Renaissance Faire would be the biggest one yet. “We will have double the encampments from previous years, a wider variety of vendors, bigger entertainment, along with the annual Royal Dinner catered by the Grilling Company.”

The Faire will run 12-8 p.m. on Saturday, with the Royal Dinner from 6-8 p.m.; and then reopen from 12-6 p.m. Sunday. It is a free family event.

New to this year’s attractions will be the Kingdom of Shiabrook. Returning entertainers and encampments will include Darkmor Colony of Larp Craft, Robyn the Bard, E-Leesa Gypsy Enchantress, Steal Lotus Dance Troupe, Bell Book and Catro Hopkins said that the cast for this year’s faire will have a few more local people included.

The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce (CSACoC) started hosting an annual Start of Summer Celebration in June of 2014 with a Renaissance theme, then later renamed it the Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire.

The Wonder elixir comedy team kept the crowd entertained at the CS Renaissance Faire. Photo by J. Reed.

By Judy Reed

The Cedar Springs Area Chamber kicked off their summer events with the third annual Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire last weekend.

The event took place in Morley Park Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday’s fun ended with the showing of the 1951 version of “Alice in Wonderland” in the park. Two more movies are planned for July and August.

There was entertainment all weekend, with concessions all day Saturday and Sunday. Actors, vendors, and several attendees were dressed in a myriad of costumes—royalty and swordsmen from the Middle Ages; fairies; Middle Earth; Victorian; and more. There was also a royal dinner on Saturday.

A woman in Victorian dress and an elf from Middle Earth were seen at the Ren Faire last weekend. Post photo by J. Reed.

About 20-25 vendors attended the event.

The Colony of Larpcraft was a big hit with the kids. They were able to go into a roped off area where they could pretend to fight each other with toy swords and other middle age weapons. They could also buy a toy sword to take home. Knockerball, which was there on Sunday, was also a hit with kids.

Kids had a blast playfighting with toy swords and other middle age weaponry. Post photo by J. Reed.

According to Chamber president Perry Hopkins, he was happy with the way the event turned out. “We put the vendors in a circle this year to improve traffic flow, which made the vendors happy, and more people turned out for the event, especially on Saturday.”

Hopkins said they had about 200 on Friday, 350 or more on Saturday, and 200-250 on Sunday. “It’s really hard to tell since we don’t have a gate or admission to enter,” he said.

“I want to thank all the volunteered to make it happen, those that did role playing, and those that came out and took part in it,” said Hopkins.

He noted that they plan to have it again next year, and that several vendors are already signed up to come back.

The Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire 2015. Photo by J. Reed.

The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce will once again turn Morley Park into something out of the Middle Ages when they host the 2016 Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire, June 10-12.

They started the event in 2014, as a Start of Summer Celebration for the Cedar Springs area. In 2015, they changed the name to the Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire. “This event is run by all volunteers and is a free admission event, which is unusual for most Renaissance Faires,” explained Chamber president Perry Hopkins. “The CS Ren Faire is not your common Ren Faire and we mix a little non-Ren Faire themes into the Renaissance era. With our theme this year of Alice in Morleyshire, we mixed a little portion of Alice in Wonderland with our Renaissance Faire. Alice falls into a rabbit hole and finds herself in Morleyshire, where she gets accused of trying to take over Queen Victoria’s kingdom.”

Returning entertainers for this year include Darkmore Colony of Larpcraft, E-leesa Gypsy Enchantress, Steal Lotus Dance Troupe, The Late Mountebank & Wonder Elixir of Life Company, Bell Book and Canto, Robin the Bard and new performances by The Fae of Norsey Woods.

Hopkins said they have over 20 vendor booths selling anything from steel swords, crafted armor, natural remedies, essential oils, hats, masks, wooden swords, hand crafted items, books, fairy items, dresses, and more.

Events include a cast meet and greet, PiYo, a movie in the park, entertainment, a royal dinner, and more. Either come as you are, or dress up and join the fun! See ad on page 9 for times and list of events.

Chamber members in royal attire at last year’s festival.

The Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce is planning their second annual Renaissance-themed summer celebration to kick off the summer during the second week of June. The celebration will take place from 18 Mile south to Morley Park in downtown Cedar Springs.

“This will be a great time to dress up as your favorite Renaissance character like Robin Hood, King Arthur, Merlin, Sir Lancelot, Gypsies, Pirates, Woodland Elves, Fairies, etc.,” said Chamber president Perry Hopkins. “This is a family event so kids of all ages can participate (adults can be kids too). We will have an outdoor movie in the park on Friday and have a variety of entertainers and vendors on Saturday and Sunday!”

Any individual or group who would like to participate in this event (vendors, volunteers, performers, etc) can contact Perry at 616-439-0890 or email kinofhope@yahoo.com. “We are looking to have as much of the community involved as possible,” he said.

Mandy Stephenson, of Kalamazoo, will reign as Queen Victoria of Morleyshire, at this year’s Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire, put on by the Cedar Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire’s Theme is Robin Hood.

Most Renaissance Faires have a royal court that is a part of the event. We would like to announce our Queen Victoria of “Morleyshire” for this year’s Cedar Springs Renaissance Fair—Mandy Stephenson, from Kalamazoo. “She was chosen by the Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire Committee for her for her experience with Renaissance Faires, her dress experience, language and knowledge,” explained Hopkins. He said she has been royalty at many Renaissance Faires, and has 13 years of experience in improvisational acting.

The Committee for the Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire will also be holding auditions for the rest of the royal court. We are auditioning for Prince, Princess, Duke, Dutchess, Lords,and Ladies, towns people and rogues (possibly other roles too).

Auditions will be held on Saturday March 28 at 4:30 p.m. at 90 North Main Street, Cedar Springs, in the dance studio on the second floor. Those interested in auditioning need to come dressed to part. For more details please call Perry at (855) 627-2262 ext. 103 or 616-439-0890

You can find more information on our face book page Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire. The CSACoC also has an event page on face book for the event The Cedar Springs Renaissance Faire  https://www.facebook.com/events/348962938597221/