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Fantasy of the Lakes
May 18-19, 2024

Come join us at beautiful
BEACH PARK
12505 Newell Ave, Lindstrom, MN 55045-0492

2024 Saturday May 18th 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

2024 Sunday May 19th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON.

Full Weekend – includes Saturday and Sunday 2024 Admission

2024 Saturday Admission Only

2024 Sunday Admission Only

Follow Fantasy of the Lakes. Lindstrom to host new Renaissance Festival in May. Fantasy of the Lakes. dateModified: 2023 April 14The Renaissance Age is taking over Beach Park of Lindstrom in May. Don't be shy. Spend a few hours surrounded by fantasy and fairies, music, magic and more. Watch the knights go at hand-to-hand combat...spend time with artisans, gypsies and Royals. The Renaissance was an era when world exploration and learning began to be exercised in earnest. A new invention, paper, was put into general use, mariners had a compass now with which to navigate. In the 14th to 15th century the world moved out of the Middle Ages into a rebirth of intellect. Renaissance culture makes for an ideal backdrop for fairs or festivals. The debut in 2018 of Fantasy of the Lakes Renaissance Festival or "FOTL" came together quickly, under the guidance of a couple of local festival veterans, Rey Thompson and Matt Machtan. The two are better-known as the creative designer and seamstress behind Custom Koztumez and as "Knight Lord Gaylord Gower." Thompson is a recent transplant from the suburbs to Lindstrom and beyond and Lord Gower a Center City resident. Not only are they pulling the FOTL together, they'll be in character at the event coming to Lindstrom in May. "Lord Gower" has been active in Wisconsin Renaissance fairs for years and Rey is one of the go-to circuit designers, creating 15th century costumes and other beautiful apparel as well. She explained that she found herself somewhat involved in the relocation effort of a Renaissance festival that took place in Twig, MN. And, in talking with Lindstrom's city administrator one day, mentioned she may be interested in a location for a festival in the Chisago Lakes region if at all possible. The first years, a Renaissance fair might be able to use an emptied city block where an industrial manufactured wall plant recently came down and combined with Lions Park next door- it was to be a good initial festival location. Rey said, "The goal is to raise some money for a downpayment to buy some land in this region, where we can site a festival permanently," she explained. Machtan got word over social media of a possible shuffling of a festival location nearer to where he lives and (as any Knight ought to) - offered his aid. The two reserved acts and equipment at a frantic pace ever since. Machtan said mostly locals have priority. Food vendors, wine-makers and actors/and those who make handcrafted goods who reside right here, will be featured. This even will be the first year that Thompson has been able to have her own booth. Ordinarily she is so busy doing costumes she doesn't have time to pack up her special tools of the trade and transport them afar. She looks forward to giving area artist and vendors a place to introduce themselves to festival-goers. "We'll be helping them get their season off to a good start," she said. The annual Chisago County Pottery Tour takes place early in May too, and Rey looks upon this as complimentary to the festival. Hopefully Tour participants will come by FOTL and vice-versa. The admission price is much less expensive than other more established, larger festivals, she continued, so you won't have to spend the whole day to feel like you've gotten your money's worth of entertainment and atmosphere, Thompson said. At the same time, actors have more time to spend with festival-goers and merchants can converse with their customers. Machtan added the acts and entertainment lined-up are non-offensive and geared to families. Kids love to interact with himself and his fellow Knights as they demonstrate their military physical skills. He loves it when young festival goers return year-after-year to take on the Knights and Lord Gower. There are a couple of audition opportunities remaining before the FOTL launch. Thompson and Machtan have utilized the Chisago Lakes Community Education building, at Akerson and Hwy 8 for auditions. Contact Thompson at Custom Koztumez to say you are coming- 612-990-8927. The first Royals- Queen Elodea, Princesses and Handmaidens- were chosen in earlier auditions. But all sorts of minstrels and Renaissance characters are welcome to tryout. Come in dress or send a photo to Rey's e mail of your outfit to be considered a part of the cast. There is Admission to Fantasy of the Lakes Renaissance Festival for adults and for children. Those younger than 6 can enter FOTL at no charge. To buy tickets ahead visit their website. https://fantasyofthelakes.com"Lindstrom to host new Renaissance Festival in May". Chisago County Press. [https://chisagocountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=24342]. 27 April 2018. Print.

Fantasy of the Lakes May 18-19, 2024

Fantasy of the Lakes
May 18-19, 2024