May 3-4 and 10-11th.
Hours: 11-6
last years prices:
$12.00 adults (discount tickets available)
$7.00 3-12children
under 3 free.
Nebraska Renaissance faire is casting local Omaha and Lincoln, Ne. talent for street characters and event staff.
Check out the FB page for a list of characters they would like to see, if you are located in our area and are interested.
There have been major cast shakeups this year, many of the regulars are not coming back this year.
I imagine that Management has decided to employ locals for the smaller roles to save on lodging costs and afford some bigger acts.
David and I are regular Playtrons and we like it that way; so we won't be auditioning.
Where is it? Maybe we can FINALLY meet? Are you guys going all four days?
Sorry it took so long to answer, Butch :P....
It's in Papillion, Ne-Eastern Nebraska
From I-80 East or West get off on Hwy 370 and head east
Bellevue Pumpkin ranch is Mid way between hwy 370 and Cornhusker hwy on 48th st. , right next to the creek.
There are signs on both ends of 48th st.
There are onsite camp grounds, fire pits, plenty of shade and lots of free parking. Alcohol is served at the 2 pubs on site, which also host the more bawdy shows.
The main gravel parking lot fills up fast, so we usually park folks on the grassy area next to the road starting about 45 minutes after opening.
We will be there at least one day per weekend; which day depends on the weather and if I have to work that Saturday, which is why we don't commit to being on cast.
I will be there second week.
We'll see you there then!
Faire day is growing closer...
A recent spring cleaning of the garage and basement yielded a large bass drum (originally acquired to be cannibalized for parts) as well as some other items that I have donated to the faire..They have been picked up, and I have been assured they will be put to good use.
I have recently finished a lavishly jeweled french hood that I hope will meet with Her Grace's approval, as it will be a gift to her.
I am being told there will be improvements to the grounds and facilities this year, including more shade for the list.
At this rate we will be expanding into the corn field behind the children's realm. The owner of Bellevue Berry Ranch continues to build for us.
We need a bigger parking lot!
We have a new parade banner for Her Grace; preparations continue for the Royal visit to the village of Bridgewater!
Vendor and entertainment list is up on the website.
Cautiously optimistic about the weather next weekend-
Right now the forecast is for about the same conditions we had last year: Sunny/partly sunny and in the low to mid 60's...comfortable for heavier garb.
Too early to tell for the second weekend.
We are donating 4 large flags with Her Grace's standard-3 lions passant quartered with 3 fleur-de Lis to brighten the grounds.
I'll probably be there Saturday the 10th. Offutt is full, so may be staying somewhere else.
Edit for more info: It tends to get tight for decent lodging around here during the faire; Just about all the hotels are full because the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders are in town on the first weekend of May.
However, they tend to gravitate toward the high end Hotels.
Check the faire website for sponsors; then call to see if they will give a discount for the faire goers. It's worth a shot. If they are full (likely) then check out places like the American Family Inn on Ft Crook road just out side the Offutt main gate.
Further out, I would check out Gretna, Ne-which is straight west on 370 from the I-80 exit. I doubt the shareholders and their flunkies have rented everything out there.
Cool, thank-you for the suggestions. I'm sure we'll figure something out!
You're going the second weekend? I would check back next week; some of the BH folks may have checked out early, or canceled.
For those of us attending this weekend-The forecast is much improved! mid to high 60's and sunny both days. I can't wait, this is the first faire of the season for hubby and I.
OK, it's pretty firm. We'll be there Sat the 10th. We'll be staying in the Big O Sat night (prob at a cousin's house), and going to a family function on Sun the 11th.
We'll prob leave our house in KC early Sat morn, partially garbed. Not sure what time we'll get there. It takes right at 3 hours to get there from my house. What are the hours of the faire (I cannot access the faire site from work for some reason)?
Quote from: Butch on May 02, 2014, 10:08:47 AM
OK, it's pretty firm. We'll be there Sat the 10th. We'll be staying in the Big O Sat night (prob at a cousin's house), and going to a family function on Sun the 11th.
We'll prob leave our house in KC early Sat morn, partially garbed. Not sure what time we'll get there. It takes right at 3 hours to get there from my house. What are the hours of the faire (I cannot access the faire site from work for some reason)?
I believe I saw 11-6 . We shall keep in touch and see you there. I got Mead!!
So how was the first weekend? I looked an the website and saw that Clearly Guilty was scheduled; some of their stuff is pretty funny! I see that Orckes and Trolls are scheduled for this weekend; I like seeing them. I have heard several different people complain that Orckes and Trolls is the only act that uses a music stand, but it never has bothered me!
Butch - who all is coming with you (the cordwaner I would imagine?)
Quote from: Gauwyn of Bracknell on May 05, 2014, 11:30:37 AM
Butch - who all is coming with you (the cordwaner I would imagine?)
Just my wife in "MUNDANES". My son is still away at his "journeyman school" through the 18th (although it will be him and me at the Amana Festival!). My dau cannot get away from the tavern she tends.
We've got a family event to attend on Sun, so alas, it will be a Sat only showing for the l'Honnete family! Where are you guys staying?
I don't know yet.
OK, well I sent you a phone text. I can't wait to see you and the family!
Does anyone know if the Omaha Ren Faire has a name? Like the KCRF is "Canterbury". Is there one?
We are the Village of Bridgewater.
Look forward to seeing you both there.
Orkes and Trolles and the Joust will be 10-11th.
We had pretty good crowds last weekend in spite of there being no Joust. The fairy queen reported giving out almost 400 fairy berries to the kids, the Queen was running short on knighting tokens.
The weather was just perfect.
Evengard Improv and the Horsemen kept it lively in the lanes and onstage, and Crazy Boy Coy was standing room only at the pirate ship.
Moostruck Meadery is vending at faire for the first time-The peach mead is to die for! We gathered at the Meadery store in Bellevue after faire for pizza, snacks, and of course... more mead.
I was able to get vacation so hubby and I are on cast with the court both weekends, and I finally got my favors done last night.
There was an article in the Wold Herald..
$12.00 at the gate 11-6 both days.
Ah! La ville d'eau de pont!
I've been wanting to try the Moonstruck Meadery stuff; I've heard of them!
Is Moonstruck the one you told me about last year I believe?
Quote from: Gauwyn of Bracknell on May 06, 2014, 02:14:52 PM
Is Moonstruck the one you told me about last year I believe?
Probably. I've been wanting to try them, they're based out of an Omaha suburb. The owner/proprieter used to date one of my high school classmates, and that's how I'd heard of them. We'll see how it compares to Bracknell mead, eh?
I did some research on Bridgwater, England. It seems it was/is a port city! PERFECT for a sailor on shore leave!
I didn't do any drinking 'on the job' this weekend, but I know that Moonstruck Mead was being sold on site, probably up at the pirate pub or thereabouts, and was a BIG hit with the public. Plenty of mundanes walking around with drinks in hand, so I figure there is no restriction on where your take your drink inside the park.
Folks were dropping by the store in Bellevue after fair to buy bottles. It's located just off of Mission blvd on the south side on Madison ave across from the Dairy Queen. They serve food also. Word is getting around, and business is steadily growing. It's not cheap but it is SO worth it
If you get a chance; get to the store and sample the 6 month old wine in the cask on the bar-they don't bottle that for sale but you can buy it by the glass or for $2.00 for an ounce. They also sell 'sample tastings' like other wineries.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/moonstruck-meadery-bellevue?hrid=yI5_dlf5ohxk314OaEOO-Q (http://www.yelp.com/biz/moonstruck-meadery-bellevue?hrid=yI5_dlf5ohxk314OaEOO-Q)
The DQ on the way in to Bellevue from IA? Coming across the toll bridge on 370 through the "older" part of Bellevue? I had no idea it was over there. That's the way we always come to Omaha. (well, most always; sometimes we come in by the Henry Dorley Zoo). I'll have to swing by!
So, Rowen, will you be able to speak with us? Or do your courtly duties have your dance card pretty full? I'll be wearing my fuzzy blue thrum cap (think Grover from Sesame Street), a blue doublet, white slops, stockings, and black shoes. My personna is Pompon l'Honnete; an English sailor from Calais (France). I will have just docked with ship, the HMS Flirt in your port city of Bridgwater! Whoo! A sailor on shore leave!
I had better batten down Lady Addilay ;)
BTW we may be staying over Saturday night also
Quote from: Gauwyn of Bracknell on May 07, 2014, 11:32:08 AM
BTW we may be staying over Saturday night also
Well then, dinner's on me! Is yr son/his friends coming down?
Quote from: Butch on May 07, 2014, 11:53:17 AM
Quote from: Gauwyn of Bracknell on May 07, 2014, 11:32:08 AM
BTW we may be staying over Saturday night also
Well then, dinner's on me! Is yr son/his friends coming down?
No, just Angie and I
Butch is buying dinner?!? Maybe Nimue and I need to show up! 8)
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on May 08, 2014, 09:54:15 AM
Butch is buying dinner?!? Maybe Nimue and I need to show up! 8)
Come on! I'll be happy to feed you! I've already got a few places in mind that are out of this world! I'll even let you buy me some whisky (I prefer Makers to Jack, though).
Quote from: Butch on May 07, 2014, 08:31:11 AM
The DQ on the way in to Bellevue from IA? Coming across the toll bridge on 370 through the "older" part of Bellevue? I had no idea it was over there. That's the way we always come to Omaha. (well, most always; sometimes we come in by the Henry Dorley Zoo). I'll have to swing by!
So, Rowen, will you be able to speak with us? Or do your courtly duties have your dance card pretty full? I'll be wearing my fuzzy blue thrum cap (think Grover from Sesame Street), a blue doublet, white slops, stockings, and black shoes. My personna is Pompon l'Honnete; an English sailor from Calais (France). I will have just docked with ship, the HMS Flirt in your port city of Bridgwater! Whoo! A sailor on shore leave!
That's the one, so you can pick up a bottle on the way in ^_^. I take it you were able to find accommodations?
Of course we will make time for you! The royal rent is the red and blue striped structure just to the north of the path as you enter the grounds at the top of the hill. If the Queen is not on parade or at the children's realm doing knightings, her banner will be displayed in front. Parade is at 2.
We have a town crier in the newly built tower at the bottom of the hill; if you need to find anyone or any place-just ask her. She is visiting from KC.
We are expecting another frenchman, The Duc D' Anjou, to join the coourt this weekend on his quest to woo the Queen. You will have a fellow countryman!
Rowan, that's all very good news! Thank-you!
We'll be staying with some cousins in town, around Millard, maybe?
I wrote to Moonstruck this afternoon, and this is what they wrote back:
"Michael,
We are serving Show, Cherry, Peach, and Apple, The Berry & Pumpkin Ranch is selling them in single servings, no bottles. It was a big hit last weekend.
For bottle sales, visit our tasting room located at 2221 Madison, Bellevue, NE, about 8 miles from the Ren Faire, we have the rest of the flavors to sample, open 2 to 10 pm on Saturday.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Brian Schlueter"
I'm looking forward to Saturday!
Saturday indeed! Last Saturday we all headed over there for dinner and mead. I highly recommend the Peach, but the Cherry is another favorite. I plan to try the Melomel.
I agree with the meadery when they say the wines were popular at fair-I saw many glasses being carried by ungarbed patrons, and I expect many more were being carried in mugs and goblets. The servings were more generous than the Chaucer mead I drank at KC. where I got about 4 oz for $3.00.
Quote from: Butch on May 08, 2014, 10:08:59 AM
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on May 08, 2014, 09:54:15 AM
Butch is buying dinner?!? Maybe Nimue and I need to show up! 8)
Come on! I'll be happy to feed you! I've already got a few places in mind that are out of this world! I'll even let you buy me some whisky (I prefer Makers to Jack, though).
You learn better when you get older....
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on May 08, 2014, 06:26:47 PM
Quote from: Butch on May 08, 2014, 10:08:59 AM
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on May 08, 2014, 09:54:15 AM
Butch is buying dinner?!? Maybe Nimue and I need to show up! 8)
Come on! I'll be happy to feed you! I've already got a few places in mind that are out of this world! I'll even let you buy me some whisky (I prefer Makers to Jack, though).
You learn better when you get older....
Butch is no where near THAT old ;D
Quote from: Gauwyn of Bracknell on May 09, 2014, 05:44:10 AM
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on May 08, 2014, 06:26:47 PM
Quote from: Butch on May 08, 2014, 10:08:59 AM
Quote from: Merlin the Elder on May 08, 2014, 09:54:15 AM
Butch is buying dinner?!? Maybe Nimue and I need to show up! 8)
Come on! I'll be happy to feed you! I've already got a few places in mind that are out of this world! I'll even let you buy me some whisky (I prefer Makers to Jack, though).
You learn better when you get older....
Butch is no where near THAT old ;D
Heck, I can't event COUNT that high!
Please pardon my ignorance, but is there an opening gate show?
Had a GREAT time at the NE Ren Faire on Sat! Finally got to meet Rowan and her husband. What a great couple! I'm glad you were able to talk w/us. Also met "Sunshine" who was very bubbly! And, of course Lord Gauwyn and Lady Addilae (LOVE these two!).
The NE Faire was pretty full of vendors and events; much more than the one I went to a few yearsw ago in Scarey Acres. It was much better than I was expecting. The Moon Struck mead was outstanding, especially the cherry! The chow wasnn't bad either. Myy wife, Vicki, rarely goes to faires, but the Lord and Lady of Bracknell made her day very pleasant!
We really had a great time!
we enjoyed ourselves as well. Wish I had made the time to see Merlyn.
Time does get away from one, doesn't it?
Great to finally meet you Butch! Wish we could have had more time to talk, as it is we only got to see 2 shows ourselves. We also missed Merlin.
We don't have an opening show (yet)-we just stand on the poop deck of the pirate ship, until the ticket booths open.
That french mariners outfit is fascinating, and very well made; that's the kind of unusual garb and history research that David and I love to see. I'm glad you and your lady had a good time!
We loved meeting Lord and lady Bracknell again, this was the first time we've been able to see them this year.
Our faire is small, but steadily growing. From what I understand form the PTB-we exceeded the attendance goals every single day this year; and the first weekend didn't even have a joust. I foresee an expansion on the horizon, particularly for the camping and parking lots.
We had a few new vendors this year, who will be coming back, and the new garb vendors (2) are of excellent quality, for those who wished to spend the money.
You could see that we don't have much room for cheap stuff in ill disguised pop ups, and the new board has decided to go with artisan vendors, rather than primarily Chinese trinket resellers.
We have had some issues with content and quality in the past, and those vendors were not invited back.
Hopefully we can convince the Ranch owner to allow other food vendors in, otr to at least expand the menu-but he is a caterer, and has a proprietary interest in keeping the food concessions to himself. I was disappointed that he did not have the chicken on a sword like last year; though his scotch eggs have improved.
I think we are unique in that we actually have a pretty good sized second hand/consignment/accessories garb shop on site, so that the new-to-garbing patrons could get their feet wet with out spending a bundle. The Hissing Serpent was doing a brisk trade in walking sticks, wooden swords and parasols, as usual. They also have a booth at the Des Moines faire.
Wow! It seems I missed many of those shops! Congrats on the attendance numbers!
One of the garb shops was just across the road from the Potters, and the other was in the children's realm. Scots & Knots was there last year but the children's clothiers is new. Pendragon Silver is in it's second year with us, since they did very well last year.
We hadn't seen them vending in the area since the defunct Renaissance Festival of the Midlands ended.
Fairytale costumes (used garb) is in it's 2nd or 3rd year. They were in the big building next to the joust.
I would have liked to see the vendor again who is a regular at Riverssance in the red and black tent, who sold gently used brass wine cups and goblets, as well as re purposed jewelry and trinkets.
We miss Faire & Fowle. The feather artiste who made the fans and the hat plumes moved to Georgia.
Quote from: Butch on May 15, 2014, 12:16:51 PM
Wow! It seems I missed many of those shops! Congrats on the attendance numbers!
But we did do the mead booth tour ;D
Quote from: Gauwyn of Bracknell on May 16, 2014, 05:38:09 AM
Quote from: Butch on May 15, 2014, 12:16:51 PM
Wow! It seems I missed many of those shops! Congrats on the attendance numbers!
But we did do the mead booth tour ;D
'O course!