Pirates, fairies and knights, oh my! His majesty the king has summoned the very best firebreathers, jugglers, musicians, dancers, pipers from all across the realm to please the patrons of the Great Plains Renaissance Festival. Sword will ring upon shield as knights do battle for the honor of their lady fair, the royal falconer shall fly birds of prey, see slight of hand and feats of daring. Come one, come all! Check back often as the scribe shall be adding new names to the list of enchanting entertainers as they respond to the royal decree!
Entertainers
Joust Evolution – the perfect fusion of showmanship and the physical brutality of a full contact combat. Lances will shatter and sword will ring upon shield. May the most gallant knight win!
This picture says a thousand words…you know these scoundrels can’t be up to any good!
Welcome the Toy to the Great Plains Renaissance Festival! Delighting young and old alike! Hip, hip, huzzah!
The smell of rum, the sea, and black powder. The crashing of the waves and sails snapping in the wind. The creaking of timbers over the raucous laughter of gentlemen of fortune. You’re not at a Festival, Pub or Nightclub anymore, you’re there with the Musical Blades, and part of the crew now to boot!
Since the turn of the century, the Musical Blades have been transporting patrons into their hilarious world of witty dialog, and original maritime songs.
It began as a discussion between two piratical peers, over ales and grog, to find the perfect combination of music and comedy. And now, five distinct personalities, five aesthetic inputs, five pirates with WAY too much time on their hands have worked together to create an original experience in pirate entertainment! A crowd favorite, we are glad to have these pirates on board for the Great Plains Renaissance Festival!
Didgeman & Scarlett
The didgeridoo (also known as a didjeridu or didge) is a wind instrument developed by Indigenous Australians at least 1,500 years ago and is still in widespread usage today both in Australia and around the world. It is sometimes described as a natural wooden trumpet or “drone pipe”. The Didgeman and Scarlett were voted best act of 2010! Entertaining, educational and interactive is the best way we can describe it – but judge for yourself, this is one show you will not want to miss. Audience participation is key, don’t be surprised if the Didgeman has a tribe of musical perfomers on stage by the end of the show!
Featuring a wide array of authentic didgeridoos, tribal drums and the stunning stage performance of Scarlett! Appearing twice daily, don’t forget tips are appreciated if you like what you see and hear!
Once upon a time… fairies, trolls, and gnomes, oh my! These fairy tale characters are for real!
“The Earth was plagued with disaster, cruelty and greed had consumed mankind while the great cities of the world burned and the whole of creation was consumed in smoke and flame – Ragnarok had descended upon Midgard.
Amidst this age of ruin come the warriors of Stormhammer, sons of the north, setting the world to right. To sow the seeds of a new world of wonder upon the ashes of the old. Bound by honor, sworn troth to one another, the time has come to pay the wolf…thus are heroes born.
It is the Dawn of the new Viking Age, would you know more?”
Of course you would like to know more! Wichita’s own Black Raven Comics Studio is planning a short film project based on their flagship title “Stormhammer SAGA: Dawn of the New Viking Age”. Black Raven Comics creators Richard Cathey, Randall Aviks and Chris more are teaming together with local film producers and talent for the short film project. Wanna be in pictures? Of course you do! Be sure to stop by the Black Raven Comics/Film Project to get more information.
Also: Be sure to join the Black Raven Comics crew at the Kansas Authors’ Pavilion at 5 PM Saturday & Sunday for a book signing!
The Great Plains Renaissance Festival is proud to bring you Master Falconer Robert Aanonsen and the birds of The Royal Gauntlet. Historically, falconry was a popular sport and status symbol among the nobles of medieval Europe and the Middle East. Eggs and chicks of birds of prey were quite rare and expensive, and because the process of raising and training a hawk or falcon requires a great deal of time, money, and space, it was largely restricted to the noble classes. Be sure to catch one of Master Robert’s informative and entertaining shows, you’ll simply be amazed! Huzzah!
Standing 8 feet tall, Mother Nature towers above all! Be kind to Mother Nature!
The world famous, the one and only Crazy Boy Coy! He’s no stranger to danger and is always sure to draw a crowd. See death defying fire eating, fire breathing, acrobatics and more!
Pipe Major Ian Briggs previously played with the Pipe Band of the Scots Gaurd where he played regularly for the Changing of the Gaurd Ceremony at Buckingham Palace and he has travelled the world as a member of the British Airways Pipeband as well as winning numerous prestigious awards for his pipe playing. We are greatly honored to have Pipe Major Briggs and the other lads of the Saltire Pipers join us on the fields of the Great Plains Renaissance Festival!
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Featherman
This gentlemanly rogue wanders the king’s highways. He lives by his wits not by the sword, dare we say he is quite a dandy – yes, methinks that description may well tickle his fancy!
Peter Pixie
The prince of the pixies, the paramount of perfomers and the pride of the plains – Peter Pixie is the host with the most! Peter Pixie is a world famous “Ringmaster of Renown” and is our Master of Ceremonies for the 12th Annual Fall Great Plains Renaissance Festival.
These lovely and talented ladies have been with us since our very first year but still find new and exciting ways to delight and thrill the patrons of the Great Plains Renaissance Festival with their middle eastern dance performances! Sharing the joy of dance since 1974
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The SCA is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. The SCA “Known World” consists of 19 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members residing in countries around the world. Members, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which feature tournaments, royal courts, feasts, dancing, various classes & workshops, and more.
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Blackhearts Renaissance Fencing Club
The Blackheart Renaissance Fencing Club holds practices every Tuesday in Derby, Kansas. We are a non-profit group that studies and practices swordsmanship from therenaissance and post renaissance eras dating from approximately 1100CE to 1800CE.
- The Pirate Smoker
All Adult Comedy Show!
1 hour of all the jokes the Great Plains Renaissance Festival entertainers would get fired for doing in public! Not for the faint of heart!
4PM - 18 to enter, 21 to drink! $5 to enter, first come first serve seating
Featuring the some of the Great Plains Reniassance Festival’s best entertainers like The ScallyWags, the Musical Blades, and The Beerside Scoundrels
Sahara Wind
A whisper of the Near East sets fire to the great plains! These talented ladies are a welcome addition to our 2010 Great Plains Renaissance Festival, Huzzah!
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Flamgra' in Oolos
Blazing across the Midwest, Flamgra’ in Oolos, is quickly becoming a fan favorite with their fire and acrobatic wizardry. Troupe leader Tempest Storm and her Flamgra dancers dazzle young and old alike with their mezmerizing feats of daring, skill and flame!
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Wichita Highland Games Caber Toss
Aye, time to put down your sabre and pick up the caber! Traditional Highland amuateur Caber Tossing Competition comes to the Great Plains Renaissance Festival! For centuries the Scottish soldiers would practice this important skill so that they could ford rivers quickly and keep their armies on the move. Today it is the most popular of all of the Highland Games events!
The Royal Court In Session
Chivalry for Children Logo
Chivalry for Children is a program to inspire, encourage, and guide children and young adults to seek within themselves the qualities of Chivalry which they possess; and teaches them how to develop exhibit those virtues, and to use them in their interactions with others. Go to their website for more info!
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The Smydgyn Flag
Our favorite singing pirates are back and better than ever! Aye maties, head on over to hear the dread songs of the sea! AARRRRGGGGG!!!!
This viking can’t teach you how to train a dragon but we bet he can show you how to gnaw down a turkey leg or two!
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Acadame De Duello Flag
The Acadam’e de Duello is a renaissance fencing club dedicated to the teaching of Renaissance Fencing as used from 1450 to 1750 AD based in Wichita, Kansas. “What is renaissance fencing?” Simply put, the European martial art of rapier fighting. The rapier was an effective, lightweight civilian weapon worn by nobles and scoundrels alike. The fighting style used by Acadam’e de Duello fighting is more effective than the Hollywood versions…”
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Roscoe Riff, The Magician
And Rose Red
The master of magic, sleight of hand, and wonderous wizardry! This is one medieval magician extraordinaire! And then there’s Rose Red, enchantress extraordinaire! Talk about your dynamic duos! Throw in their new bed of nails, and you’ve got everything you could ask for!
Don’t let his fancy titles fool you, this is one pirate musician who means business! Delighting crowds with his salty sea songs and whimsical wit. Not to be missed!
Sir William Paulet
Chief Herald, Knight of the Realm and the self proclaimed King of Hospitality – it just wouldn’t be the Great Plains Renaissance Festival without our favorite ambassador of good will and cheer greeting our patrons as they enter the festival grounds. Here’s a tip – if your visiting us for the very first time be sure to say hello to Sir William – you are sure to get the royal treatment! Hip, hip Huzzah!
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Tribal Circus
Straight from the pages of Ancient Greek mythology comes the wily Satyr bringer of mirth and mischief. Actually our Satyr is really good at posing for photos so don’t be shy – he’s such a nice guy!
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“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.”
That is a famous quote from William Shakespeare. Now meet his less famous but equally eloquent counterpart Andy…Andy Shakespeare. Mr. Shakespeare walks the walk and does the talk, yes we know that wasn’t quite up to Shakespearean standards but the Great Plains Renaissance Festival is thrilled and honored to have Shakespeare in our midst!
The Royal Parade