On October 20 and 21, the 20th Annual Folsom Renaissance Faire will provide the ultimate weekend escape.

Journey back in time to 16th century England, during the rule of Queen Elizabeth I and the time of London’s popular playwright, William Shakespeare. Enter a delightful Elizabethan village, with more than 900 actors and entertainers in period costume speaking the Queen’s English; visitors are encouraged to come in costume as well. As you stroll through the Faire, you’ll encounter knights and nobles, pirates and peasants, artists, musicians and actors. These colorful characters will create vignettes resembling scenes from some of Shakespeare’s most popular plays.

Continuous entertainment will take place all along the grounds of the Faire and on stages, featuring comedy and theatre shows, juggling, storytelling, music, dance and games. The Imperial Knights, a nationally acclaimed jousting troupe, will return for the second year to do battle in the Rodeo Arena next to the park – their metal armor, 12-foot lances, thundering mounts and splintering hits are all real. The jousting exhibitions are part history lesson, part rodeo and part demolition derby!  

Artisans and crafters will demonstrate some of the trades of the day, and more than 100 shopkeepers will offer a wide variety of handmade goods to buy, including jewelry, pottery, clothing, toys, perfumes and more. Satisfy your appetite at the Faire’s open-air food court, with vendors offering tempting food and drink, including the ever-popular giant roasted turkey drumsticks and pub fare.

The family-friendly Faire is presented by Renaissance Productions, in collaboration with Folsom Parks and Recreation. Tickets are $14/adults; $9 for students K-12 with proof of school assignment, ages 6-12 and seniors ages 55 and up; and free for children under age 6. Onsite parking is $4/vehicle. Proceeds will benefit the CAVE Teen Centers and Friends of the Folsom Library. The Faire takes place at Folsom City Lions Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

For online ticket sales, discounts and more information, visit folsomfaire.com.