Renaissance fans and fantasy enthusiasts alike attended the Red Wolf Renaissance Fair to enjoy a variety of vendors, performers and activities over the weekend.

The event was held Saturday and Sunday at the Craighead Forest Park.

Actors wandered the fairgrounds in-character, interacting with visitors and fellow workers. Eli Kelley, a Jonesboro High School student acting as the character King Williamson, said Renaissance fairs are great at bringing people together.

“I find (Renaissance fairs) quite enjoyable. I see the smiles that it brings to youth and the smiles that it brings the elderly. I know that such events bring together unison from all sides of the spectrum,” Kelley said. 

Performances ranged from interactive songs and simulated sword fights to more dangerous stunts.

Molotov, a performer at the fair, presented his “Stoopid Human Tricks” routine, which involved flame-eating and sword-swallowing.

Participants played chess on a giant chess board, provided by the Arkansas State University scarlet chess club.  

A special course was also arranged for fairgoers to combat opponents with foam swords and shields. 

The Merry Minstrels, a flute band from A-State, performed a 45-minute show with Renaissance-inspired pieces and video game themes. Stephanie Hoeckley, A-State flute professor, said music and Renaissance fairs can create lasting memories.

“Renaissance fairs bring people together in a way that’s both creative and joyful. They highlight local talent, support small businesses and offer a space for the community to celebrate art, music and fantasy,” Hoeckley said. “With how busy and stressful life can be, events like this remind us to slow down, have fun and share in something uplifting with our neighbors.”

An armored martial arts tournament was also held in the center of the fair. Fighters donned medieval-era armor and competed in a complex battle. The tournament was split into two parts: sword fighting and two-handed axe fights. Winners of this tournament could qualify for national tournaments in the future. 

Moriah Hollis, a sophomore psychology major from Paragould, was a fairgoer and player for the Merry Minstrels. She said performing with the Minstrels added to the Renaissance fair experience as a whole.

“My favorite part was definitely dressing up and listening to the other acts, but performing with fellow flutists with the Merry Minstrels was such a fun and unique experience,” Hollis said. “I think (Renaissance fairs) allow people to express themselves in ways they can’t in normal day-to-day life.”

The fair also promoted red wolf conservation, one of the primary goals of the event. Red wolves have entered near-extinction numbers, with only 30 left in the wild and around 280 in captivity, according to the Red Wolf Coalition. The fair partnered with the Red Wolf Coalition and Arkansas Center for Biodiversity Collections to spread awareness for the cause.

More information about the Red Wolf Renaissance Fair can be found on their website, redwolfrenfair.org.  

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