The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival, So Cal's only permanently built renaissance festival, returned on May 25th for its 27th year and will be open every weekend through the month of June. The festival has become an Inland Empire staple, but will this be the last year for the festival?

Since 1998, the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival has been celebrating 15th and 16th century German culture with live shows, period costuming from both patrons and staff, vendors selling artisanal crafts and period specific wares, and creating an atmosphere that pulls you through time and provides entertainment and education.

The festival features working blacksmiths, carpenters, weapon makers, and even fortune tellers, all performing their crafts in much the same way as you would have seen them in the "days of yore." These craftsman not only provide necessary services to keep the festival authentic but provide educational opportunities for people looking to learn more about how things were made in the past.

Entertainment abounds throughout the festival with several permanent stages, and an arena with real jousting contests. Shows featuring acts like "Gabs the Fool" also include audience participation, generally the kids, allowing them to learn fun new skills and have a blast on the stage.

One of my favorite shows was aerialist Kaitlin Chin who has been performing for a decade and performs all around the United States. Chin has been performing at Renaissance Festivals since she was 18 in different "odd artist" roles. She began doing aerial performances due to an invitation to a class from a friend and enjoying the challenge that aerialist performance presented, and she incorporates her lifelong study of dance into her performance. She tells people who want to try becoming an aerialist "Experiment! [...] It's all about the experience, try a little of this, try a little of this, is it speaking to you, does it bring you joy?" said Chin. During her performance, it was obvious that it brought joy, not only for Chin, but for the kids and adults that watched her. Chin performs 3 shows daily throughout the rest of the Festival's run.

We attended the Festival on Memorial Day, so there were some atypical events happening in honor of the day, including this 21 gun salute with an honor guard paying tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of our country. The ceremony was touching and very memorable, and with the added flair of the renaissance attire made for a very unique Memorial Day experience.

Another kind of entertainment available at the festival was a real life Tarot card reading. I took some time from my visit to sit down with Madame Scarllett for my very first ever "fortune telling experience." I am a hard core skeptic of these types of things, but it is something that I had always wanted to try. Madame Scarllett walked me through the process, explaining the cards and their history, as well as how she experienced the process. It was completely fascinating and I had an incredibly powerful experience with it and left with a big smile on my face. I'm still a skeptic, but it was great fun, and I highly recommend it.

What's a festival without food and drinks?! The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival doesn't disappoint in this regard either. Turkey legs and large grilled meats eaten from the bone as you walk the streets is very on brand for a renaissance festival, and is kind of how I imagine it was in the 15th century as well. If pulling turkey from the bone as you wander about isn't your vibe, you can also try out delicious street tacos, BBQ, gourmet hot dogs, and tons of other variety of food. There is, of course, plenty of ale flowing for those who imbibe, and lots of non-alcoholic offerings as well. Remember, it's outdoor, and it's getting warm out, so stay hydrated!

If you're looking for a souvenir from the day, there is plenty of variety in items you can buy, including some "not haunted, probably haunted" dolls, handmade knights helmets, trinkets, crystals, clothing, and even beard oil, which I picked up at the Sickle and Stitch tent on my way out. My beard smells wonderful, and my skin feels amazing.

Throughout the day, you will run across people in very impressive period attire, some who work at the festival, and others referred to as "playtrons" who see the festival as an opportunity to dive into their love of the renaissance period and dress and act the part. Strolling minstrels, street performers, and even knights on horseback are prolific throughout the event giving the entire experience a much more "you have traveled back in time" vibe.

Despite being a permanently built park, the Koroneburg Renaissance Festival is in danger of seeing it's last season. The land the location is on is federally owned land, and managed by the Riverside County Parks and Recreation Department. David Pulcifer, the general director of the event, who has been with the festival since 2017, stated that the lease ends in August 2025, but due to the process involved with getting off the property before then would have to tear down before next years festival.

Currently "we don't have confirmation that our lease is going to be renewed." Riverside County is requiring that they do renovations to many of the structures and improve ADA access, "which we are totally willing to do [..] but they are of the opinion that they don't think we can accomplish it." Pulcifer said. Due to that lack of confidence, "they haven't really listened to a lot of our proposals."

Pulcifer went on to say their primary goal right now is to show the county that they are in fact willing and able to make these changes, and that they have the support of the community who have long enjoyed coming to the festival each year. "What we are hoping to do is to ask for an extension on the lease so we can show that we're serious about addressing the issues they are concerned about" said Pulcifer.

COVID was a big reason for the stall in getting the renovations started as they had planned on getting a lot of that work done a couple years ago. For those interested in helping to "Save the Festival" Pulcifer said that talking to your local representative about the park, and specifically Supervisor Karen Spiegel, who is overseeing the district the park in located in. There is also a petition at the park you can sign while you're there to show your support.

The Koroneburg Renaissance Festival was a great experience, and I can't wait to go back and see more that I missed. The Festival is open every weekend in June on Saturday's 10am - 7pm and Sunday's 10am - 6pm. Bring your family, your well behaved pets, and all your friends and enjoy an entertaining and educational step back in time!