King Richard Faire Opens at Its New Venue! (5 stars)

Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall. After 45 years in Carver, Massachusetts, last year King Richard’s Faire lost its lease and was without a home. But in a fairy tale twist, a solution appeared. Just a short drive away, still within Carver, stood the former site of Edaville Railroad, once a small amusement park known for its family-friendly train rides. Edaville had since shuttered, its rides sold off at auction. At the same time, King Richard’s Faire transitioned into new leadership, with Lancelot Entertainment taking the reins as the longtime owners bid their farewells. The new team moved swiftly, acquiring the Edaville property and preparing it to host the faire’s next chapter.

Relocating they did and impressively so. At first glance, the idea of a Renaissance village transplanted into a modern amusement park setting might raise eyebrows. Yet many of the buildings fit naturally into their new environment, and while a few felt slightly out of place, the overall effect was surprisingly seamless. The shift also brought more vendors housed in tents, giving the grounds the feel of the smaller regional faires and festivals that dot New England. It’s a new era for King Richard’s Faire that is different in some ways but still carrying the spirit that has enchanted generations. 

The new grounds offer a welcome sense of space that the old site never quite had. The expanded kitchens provide a bit more variety, and there are now more picnic areas where guests can sit down and enjoy their meals. Classic favorites remain on the menu, including the giant turkey leg, hearty bread bowls, and the ever-popular blooming onion. Alongside these, guests will also find more typical carnival fare such as chicken fingers, hamburgers, and French fries. I tried the saucy balls myself.  It’s not exactly fine dining, but enough to keep you going. A pleasant surprise was the addition of a small farmers market offering fresh produce for anyone seeking a healthier or more organic option.

Be prepared to spend. The food is expensive even by amusement park standards, and the prices for alcohol are some of the steepest you will encounter anywhere. The good news is that one long-standing frustration has finally been resolved. The faire has done away with the old food ticket system that forced visitors to purchase tickets in advance and often left them stuck with unused extras. Now, purchases can be made directly by credit card. Add to that the convenience of flush bathrooms at the entrance, and it’s clear King Richard’s Faire has stepped into the modern age while still holding on to its medieval charm.

Many of the traditional merchants and attractions have made the move as well. Guests can still find plenty of human powered rides and medieval style games. Axe throwing, children’s crossbows, and even catapult games all add to the fun. For younger adventurers, there is a treasure hunt where kids dig through sandboxes in search of hidden prizes, and families can also enjoy the petting zoo or take a ride on horseback.

For those who love to shop, King Richard’s Faire is like a Renaissance mall filled with merchants. Guests can browse for period clothing, leather goods, musical instruments, corsets, cloaks, jewelry, and more. For aspiring knights, there are weapons and suits of armor ready to complete the look. Few places let you walk away with such treasures right off the shelf.

Entertainment remains at the heart of the faire. Many of the beloved staples have returned, with music, magic, and acrobatics filling the stages. The singing sisters of Hey Nonny Nonny delighted audiences, while the Rowdy Bardlings kept things loud and lively. El Zappo amazed with his magic, and longtime crowd favorites such as the Washer Well Wenches and the Sturdy Beggars Mud Show brought their trademark humor and chaos. Cirque Brave impressed with daring stunts performed high above the audience on an aerial rig.

And of course, the joust still reigns supreme. The Hanlon Lees Action Theatre continues to deliver the faire’s biggest spectacle, this year on a brand-new field of battle. In a touching gesture, one post from the original site was incorporated into the new structure and surrounded with flowers. It serves as a tribute to Lady Loretta, a devoted guest who attended the faire’s very first season 45 years ago and has rarely missed a single day. Keep an eye out in the Shady Maze as well, where you may stumble upon another quiet dedication.

The new King Richard’s Faire is bright and cheerful, though it still feels a little unfinished. Considering how suddenly the festival lost its former home and how little time there was to relocate, it is a miracle that the gates even opened this year. New booths and stages seemed to appear almost overnight, blending with the existing buildings on the grounds. The organizers are already planning an expansion in the works and a holiday festival scheduled for this coming winter.

Of course, attending does not come cheap. King Richard’s Faire demands a king’s ransom, so be sure to bring a full treasure chest. Between admission, food, drinks, and games, expect to spend between one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars per person. That said, if you arrive early and stay the entire day, you can enjoy eight full hours of nonstop entertainment. The original site of King Richard’s Faire will always hold fond memories for the people of New England, but the new kingdom is alive and thriving, ready to build traditions of its own.

King Richards Faire, at kingrichardsfaire.net, will be open weekends until October 19th.

Ryan Roy, Vice President of Production, very kindly agreed to an interview.

Events INSIDER: So you have taken over this site from Edaville Railroad. Are the trains going to run? Are the theme park rides running? What did you keep, and what did you not keep?

Ryan Roy: This space is now branded as Edaville Entertainment Venue, which will host King Richard’s Faire, it will also host the Christmas Festival of Light Spectacular.

Events INSIDER: Oh, it’s all one company now?

Ryan Roy: Correct.

Ryan Roy: So we’re looking forward to a fun Christmas festival. There’s going to be a lot more entertainment, some more things to do, more of a European Christmas market that you’ll see out here, where families can come, but also friends that are just hanging out can come, hang for the night, do some shopping, see some entertainment, go on a train ride.

Events INSIDER: What attractions are still open?

Ryan Roy: So the rides that were at Edaville are since gone. Those have all been sold at an auction. That allowed us more room to expand the Renaissance Festival. So the Renaissance Festival will act as a backdrop to whatever events happen on the site for now.

Events INSIDER: That’s good news. The previous site for King Richard’s Faire was on the small side, nationally speaking, no offense intended.

Ryan Roy: None taken. More food, more stages, more fun.

Events INSIDER: That’s great. Is the old Edaville Railroad train still running?

Ryan Roy: The trains are not running currently. They will be running starting November 28th. [for the Christmas event]

Events INSIDER: What do you want people to know who are considering coming to King Richard’s Faire?

Ryan Roy: You can expect the classics here, so you’re going to see jousting three times daily. You’re going to see the Sturdy Beggars Mud Show, you’re going to see The Washing Well Wenches. Those are fan favorites, they’ve been here for a long time, they’re going to be here.

Ryan Roy: They can also see a brand new royal musical, that’s been a tradition at King Richard’s Faire since the very beginning, and it continues to this day. So here at this site, our first musical is As The Realm Turns, so make sure you check out that parody, and it’s a great time. New things, we have new entertainments, we have Cirqa Brava here, they’re an aerialist comedic troupe that you can find on the Siren stage.

Ryan Roy: Jacques Ze Whipper is returning to us in October, now a TikTok sensation, and he’s back with us, starting weekends in October.

Ryan Roy: Friends can see Hey Nonny Nonny, they’re on the Cottage stage. There’s lots new to explore.

Events INSIDER: Wow.

Ryan Roy: From the very beginning at the site, you’re going to walk into Noble’s End, which is now in Our World, Our Realm has expanded. So prior to this, it was just that country-scape under the canopy of trees, and now we have the cityscape of Old England as you come in. This area is called Noble’s End, as you continue into the fairgrounds, you’ll find Sovereign Square, King’s Crossing, The Highlands, and the Wizards’ Glade.

Ryan Roy: The Highlands and the Wizards’ Glade are home to most of our craft shops, and it has the classic look that most patrons are used to coming to the fair. So they won’t be disappointed when they come out and see that once they get here.

Events INSIDER: What else is better about this space? I noticed real, indoor bathrooms here.

Ryan Roy: New also to friends that would be coming here are the paved roads… as it allows way more accessibility. So folks that weren’t able to join us at the previous site due to just mobility issues… 85% of our grounds are paved now.

Events INSIDER: It’s great to see. Thank you so much. Huzzah!