It’s difficult not to watch a movie set in Renaissance times without yearning to travel back in time and be part of it. Women wish they could be princesses, complete with ornate, flowing gowns and a chivalrous suitor bringing roses and serenading them with songs. Men want to be the knight in shining armor, winning battles and being admired for their bravery.
However fun this fantasy may be, having indoor plumbing and living in a democracy are things I wouldn’t want to give up. Thankfully, the Ohio Renaissance Festival offers the opportunity to dress up in costume, hang out with royalty and indulge in all that the 16th century had to offer — from authentic food to jousting knights on horseback. And when you’ve had your fill, you can re-enter the modern world and all the conveniences it offers.
Unless otherwise noted below, all photos courtesy of the events or organizations featured.
Fairs/Festivals Welcome Fall Browse for antiques and collectibles outdoors during Autumn in the Woods, in Shaker Woods in Columbiana, Sept. 6–7. Bring the kids for a pumpkin-painting contest, and enjoy a car or tractor show, country cooking and live music. MORE>
Museums/Galleries Artistic Expression See how African American and Latino artists depict their struggle to maintain relevance in their cultural communities while expressing themselves as artists in “Bi-Lingual,” at SPACES gallery in Cleveland, Sept. 5–Oct. 17.MORE>
Music/Theater All in the Family The average age of the 12-member Doerfel Family Bluegrass band is 15. They sprinkle their mix of musical genres with comedy at an appearance at Big Creek Park in Chardon, on Sept. 6.MORE>
Other Events Classic Cars Be sure to get to the Mentor Cruise In early — there are giveaways for the first arrivals — and check out cars from before 1980, at the Mentor Civic Center, Sept. 6. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 30.MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Red Delicious Think you have the best apple-themed recipe? Enter the “Appleicious Cooking Contest” during Applefest, also featuring parades, a quilt show, petting zoo, entertainment and more, at the Shelby County Court Square in Sidney, Sept. 5–7. 1.MORE>
Museums/Galleries Park Pictures View images of nature from a park that boasts more rare species of plants and animals than anywhere else in Ohio during “Scott Hall: A 25 Year Retrospective in Black and White Photographs of Secor Metropark,” in Berkey, Sept. 6–Oct. 26.MORE>
Music/Theater Wartime Tunes Big Band sounds fill the air when the award-winning Johnny Knor Orchestra Presents the Music of the World War II Era at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania, Sept. 6.MORE>
Other Events Historical Happening History buffs won’t want to miss Pioneer Days at historic Lyme Village in Bellevue, where blacksmith and quilters demonstrate their crafts and a Civil War camp awaits exploration, Sept. 6–7.MORE>
Sponsored Events:
9/5/2008 - 9/7/2008
NW
Bowling Green
Fairs/Festivals
16th Annual Black Swamp Arts Festival Join the Bowling Green community in music and song by national artists, a juried art show with art for sale, a beer garden, youth art and more. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Bier and Bratwurst There’s no better place for Oktoberfest, Sept. 6–8, than the cobblestone streets of Columbus’ historic German Village. The tapping of a keg of beer kicks off all the festivities, which include live entertainment and authentic food.MORE>
Museums/Galleries Propaganda Posters View pro-war posters from World Wars I and II by some of America’s finest artists, during “Art for War’s Sake” at the Granville Historical Society Museum, through Oct. 19, with additional posters at the Robbins Hunter Museum through Nov. 8, in Granville.MORE>
Music/Theater Murder Mystery A group of thespians try to revive their careers with a new show during the comedic play “Drop Dead,” but end up trying to solve the murder of several members of their group instead, at the Emerald City Theater in Dublin, through Sept. 6.MORE>
Other Events Corks and Cooks Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or can’t tell the difference between a riesling and a rosé, the Columbus Food & Wine Affair will tickle your taste buds with more than 450 vintages to sample, at the Franklin Park Conservatory, Sept. 5.MORE>
Sponsored Event:
4/25/2008 - 9/14/2008
CE
Columbus
Museums/Galleries
Capture the Moment: The Pulitzer Prize Photographs Don't miss the largest exhibition of Pulitzer Prize photos before it closes September 14. These powerful images have captured the defining moments of history and changed the way we think, such as the iconic pictures of the World Trade Center attack and the flag raising at Iwo Jima. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Ye Olde Faire Your only chance to meet Queen Elizabeth I is during the Ohio Renaissance Festival, where the Queen and her court, as well as knights and other 16th-century folk, wander around a 30-acre recreated village, in Harveysburg, through Oct. 19.MORE>
Museums/Galleries Depicting the Deluge The magnitude of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction is emphasized during “Floodwall,” an exhibit featuring more than 350 drawers salvaged from the wreckage and mounted to a wall, at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center in Cincinnati, through Sept. 14.MORE>
Music/Theater Musical Genius A fictional account of composer Mozart’s life — riddled with jealousy, obsession and madness — is detailed in “Amadeus,” at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company theater, Sept. 5–28. MORE>
Other Events Bridle Party Learn about strong, hard-working draft horses during various programs, clinics and shows at the Ohio Buckeye Draft Horse Association Show, at Roberts Arena in Wilmington, Sept. 5–7.MORE>
Sponsored Events:
9/5/2008 - 9/14/2008
SW
Lebanon
Other Events
Day Out with Thomas Enjoy a train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, including activities such as live music by Grammy award nominated artist Zak Morgan, Thomas and Friends storytelling, video-viewing, balloon characters, temporary tattoos and arts and crafts. MORE>
5/1/2008 - 12/31/2008
SW
Dayton
Museums/Galleries
On the Other Side of the Lens: Military Photographers in Action Featuring 56 photos that depict the talent of Air Force Join Operations photojournalists, with significant contributions provided by Air Force News. MORE>
Fairs/Festivals Spin a Yarn Sit back and listen to a tale — during the Southern Ohio Storytelling Arts & Music Festival, where performers will tell a story or play music. Join in by telling your own tall tales, in Chillicothe, Sept. 5–6.MORE>
Museums/Galleries Outdoor Focus Artwork highlighting beautiful, summery garden imagery is displayed in “Ohio Photographers in the Garden” at the Southern Ohio Museum in Portsmouth, Sept. 5–Oct. 8. MORE>
Music/Theater Country Time Listen to twangy tunes at the Paint Valley Jamboree, the oldest country music show in the state, which hosts musicians from throughout the area every Saturday night, at the Paxton Theatre in Bainbridge.MORE>
Other Events Agricultural Agenda Learn about the importance of agriculture to the economy at Farm City Day, including a biggest-pumpkin contest, wood carving and kids’ activities, at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds in Zanesville, Sept. 6. MORE>
Photo Credits: Drop Dead: photo courtesy of Dale Bush; Bi-Lingual: Saskia Jorda, [karto gra’fia], mixed-media installation, handmade felt, 2008, photo courtesy of the artist.
Browse for antiques and collectibles outdoors during Autumn in the Woods, in Shaker Woods in Columbiana, Sept. 6–7. Bring the kids for a pumpkin-painting contest, and enjoy a car or tractor show, country cooking and live music. 
See how African American and Latino artists depict their struggle to maintain relevance in their cultural communities while expressing themselves as artists in “Bi-Lingual,” at SPACES gallery in Cleveland, Sept. 5–Oct. 17.
The average age of the 12-member Doerfel Family Bluegrass band is 15. They sprinkle their mix of musical genres with comedy at an appearance at Big Creek Park in Chardon, on Sept. 6.
Be sure to get to the Mentor Cruise In early — there are giveaways for the first arrivals — and check out cars from before 1980, at the Mentor Civic Center, Sept. 6. Proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 30.
Think you have the best apple-themed recipe? Enter the “Appleicious Cooking Contest” during Applefest, also featuring parades, a quilt show, petting zoo, entertainment and more, at the Shelby County Court Square in Sidney, Sept. 5–7. 1.
View images of nature from a park that boasts more rare species of plants and animals than anywhere else in Ohio during “Scott Hall: A 25 Year Retrospective in Black and White Photographs of Secor Metropark,” in Berkey, Sept. 6–Oct. 26.
Big Band sounds fill the air when the award-winning Johnny Knor Orchestra Presents the Music of the World War II Era at Centennial Terrace in Sylvania, Sept. 6.
History buffs won’t want to miss Pioneer Days at historic Lyme Village in Bellevue, where blacksmith and quilters demonstrate their crafts and a Civil War camp awaits exploration, Sept. 6–7.
There’s no better place for Oktoberfest, Sept. 6–8, than the cobblestone streets of Columbus’ historic German Village. The tapping of a keg of beer kicks off all the festivities, which include live entertainment and authentic food.
View pro-war posters from World Wars I and II by some of America’s finest artists, during “Art for War’s Sake” at the Granville Historical Society Museum, through Oct. 19, with additional posters at the Robbins Hunter Museum through Nov. 8, in Granville.
A group of thespians try to revive their careers with a new show during the comedic play “Drop Dead,” but end up trying to solve the murder of several members of their group instead, at the Emerald City Theater in Dublin, through Sept. 6.
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or can’t tell the difference between a riesling and a rosé, the Columbus Food & Wine Affair will tickle your taste buds with more than 450 vintages to sample, at the Franklin Park Conservatory, Sept. 5.
Your only chance to meet Queen Elizabeth I is during the Ohio Renaissance Festival, where the Queen and her court, as well as knights and other 16th-century folk, wander around a 30-acre recreated village, in Harveysburg, through Oct. 19.
The magnitude of Hurricane Katrina’s destruction is emphasized during “Floodwall,” an exhibit featuring more than 350 drawers salvaged from the wreckage and mounted to a wall, at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center in Cincinnati, through Sept. 14.
A fictional account of composer Mozart’s life — riddled with jealousy, obsession and madness — is detailed in “Amadeus,” at the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company theater, Sept. 5–28. 
Learn about strong, hard-working draft horses during various programs, clinics and shows at the Ohio Buckeye Draft Horse Association Show, at Roberts Arena in Wilmington, Sept. 5–7.
Sit back and listen to a tale — during the Southern Ohio Storytelling Arts & Music Festival, where performers will tell a story or play music. Join in by telling your own tall tales, in Chillicothe, Sept. 5–6.
Artwork highlighting beautiful, summery garden imagery is displayed in “Ohio Photographers in the Garden” at the Southern Ohio Museum in Portsmouth, Sept. 5–Oct. 8. 
Listen to twangy tunes at the Paint Valley Jamboree, the oldest country music show in the state, which hosts musicians from throughout the area every Saturday night, at the Paxton Theatre in Bainbridge.
Learn about the importance of agriculture to the economy at Farm City Day, including a biggest-pumpkin contest, wood carving and kids’ activities, at the Muskingum County Fairgrounds in Zanesville, Sept. 6. 
