What’s going on at the Ren Fest?

Group of people performing a traditional dance or theater on stage with colorful clothing and accessories.

The Cast

Leading ceremonies and spread throughout the festival are the cast of the NRV Ren Fest. These interactive actors will bring the joy and whimsey of the festival to life. Will you receive a quest from a mysterious stranger, sit with the royal court for a toast, or receive a gift from a fae wonderer? Prepare to be taken to a different world, with our talented cast.

Person with long wavy brown hair wearing a white dress holding a jeweled crown.

Costume Contest

Will you be crowned best costume of the festival? Show off your craftsmanship and strut your stuff as you are judged by the royal court. Saturday is best Halloween outfit. Sunday is best Ren Fest outfit. Registration for the contest will be happening on the day of the festival.

Two individuals in medieval armor engaging in a mock sword fight at an outdoor event, with tents and people in the background.

The Barony of Black Diamond would like to invite you to share their passion for history. They are part of the Society of Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA) in the Kingdom of Atlantia. This inclusive community is devoted to the research and re-creation of pre-17th century skills, arts, combat, and culture through displays, experimental research, and demonstrations of their martial skills in a fighting arena.

Historical Reenactment

A man and woman dressed in medieval-style costumes stand outdoors against a leafy green background, holding musical instruments.

Cyanwoode

Be transported as Cyanwoode sets the scene with enchanting, tavern-inspired music. The duo blends Irish whistle, hammered dulcimer, lute dulcimer, and voice to create magical, original arrangements of videogame music and Celtic traditional songs.

Book cover titled 'GEOFF THE FIDDLER' with a decorative border of intertwining leaves and grapes, set against a background of distant mountains and a forest.

Geoff the Fiddler

Playing fiddle with musicians of all genres and styles all over Roanoke and beyond, Geoff combines elements of Celtic, Appalachian, and a touch of Cajun fiddling. The result is a unique and authentic American-Celtic style.

Five women standing on a stage with musical instruments and microphones, performing or preparing to perform in a dimly lit setting.

Neighborhood Watch

Fantasy and Rock collide with Neighborhood Watch. Featuring both classic cover songs and original material, this five piece rock band blends electric guitars, synthesizers, and drums into music both faithfully classic and refreshingly new.

A man with white hair and a beard looking at a puppy. The puppy has a black and white fur pattern and is wearing small socks on its paws. They are on a dark surface with a dark background.

The Iowa Goatsinger

Combining puppetry, music, spoken word, and theatrical storytelling. His work has appeared in festivals, live performance showcases, and community arts events throughout the region.

http://goatsinger.com/

A man in medieval-style costume holding a person in a colorful costume, both making humorous facial expressions against a plain background.

Oak Lichatree - World’s Strongest Gnome

Wait, what?

You read that right.

The Worlds Strongest Gnome!

Oak Lichatree is a “Professional” Strong Gnome who takes joy in performing, educating and entertaining.

A group of people dressed as witches holding hands in a line, participating in a Halloween or costume event outdoors, with a tent and trees in the background.

Mystical Witches of Floyd

A fun group of individuals who dance for fun in our wacky clothes. We celebrate life, love, & peace.

Two women practicing acro yoga outdoors, one in a white outfit balancing upside down while holding the other with tattoos in colorful, patterned clothing, under a cloudy sky.

The drums beat. A hush falls over the grounds. Then, somewhere above your head, a figure unfurls from the rigging on a ribbon of silk. Fluidity Performance is bringing its talented stilt walker and aerialist to the New River Valley Renaissance Festival. Be amazed at the acrobatic prowess of their aerial performance and be immersed in the fantasy setting as their stilt walker tours the grounds!

Fluidity

Close-up of a hawk with yellow eyes and brown feathers, perched on a branch against a dark green background.

Learn about the majestic Red Tailed Hawk as Piet Bain introduces you to these majestic animals with a flight demonstration!

Wild Tribe Falconry

Two individuals engaging in a fencing duel outdoors, wearing protective gear, including helmets and gloves, with green trees and a chain-link fence in the background.

HEMA Exhibition

The Umbral Blades is a martial arts study group formed in the Spring of 2020. The founding members were previously members of the Blacksburg Blades, the students and locals HEMA group of Virginia Tech. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, practice for the Blacksburg Blades was suspended, and a small number of the local members branched off privately. After the pandemic restrictions were lifted, we decided to continue separately under our new group name.

A smiling elderly man wearing glasses, a blue and black North Face jacket, and a traditional Nepalese hat, standing behind a table with colorful fruits or flowers at an outdoor market.

Vendors

Our highly curated selection of vendors creates a whimsical market in the heart of the event. Browse and purchase mystical items, costume pieces, and delicious food as you explore the festival grounds and interact with our shopkeepers, cast, and fellow guests.

Two glasses, one with a lavender sprig and purple drink, the other with a clear lemony beverage, on a stone surface outdoors, at Bellevue Farm with tents, picnic tables, and a grassy field in the background.

Wine

Enjoy a flavorful wine as you explore the festival, share a toast with the royal court, or enjoy a sampling of the wines of Beliveau Farm Winery.