All’s faire: King Richard’s gears up for old school fun

The Medieval touches — the jousting, hand-spun pottery, drinking horns and other period language and dress — will still be there. But this year’s King Richard’s Faire, which takes place in Carver, will include a very modern competition — Renaissance Idol, a singing contest modeled after the Fox hit show.

“We wanted to do something new this year to showcase the impressive bed of talent that visits King Richard’s Faire,” said fair producer Bonnie Shapiro.
The fair is holding the Renaissance Idol competition for the first time. Contestants will be judged on singing ability, of course, but also costume and “flair,” essentially wearing period clothing.

The initial rounds are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 6, and Saturday, Sept. 20. The final round is Saturday, Sept. 27. Another competition — the prince and princess contest for “the most authentically dressed royal duo” for those under 12 — will coincide with the Idol finals. Renaissance Idol hopefuls must perform solo, be at least 16, and provide the name of their song when they sign up. Contestants can sign up in advance by calling 508-866-5391.

Adults can compete in other areas, too. A bustier cleavage contest — “those willing to bare their plunging necklines to the king” — is Saturday, Sept. 13, and a tattoo contest is Saturday, Oct. 4. The Idol competition is expected to be among the most popular shows, along with the cleavage contest, jousting, a liger show, featuring one of the world’s largest cats, and a torture show. The torture show, by the group American Madmen, features gross-out acts like staples to the forehead, a mouse trap to the tongue, or hanging hooks from eyelids. It might not be for those with weak stomachs.

This year is the 27th for the fair, held in rural Carver off the main north-south thoroughfare, Route 58. The 80-acre fairground includes a zoo, a tournament field for jousts, stages for jugglers, singers and dancers, and shops for more than 100 artisans. The fair, a re-creation of a 16th century English marketplace, runs for eight weekends through Oct. 19. Depending on weather, it can draw 100,000 to 150,000 visitors each year.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $14 for children up to age 12, and free for children under 5. Parking is free, and special rates are available for groups of 25 or more. It is open every Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and is open Columbus Day.

E-mail Grant Welker at
gwelker@heraldnews.com