This was the former site of the Oregon Renaissance Festival. After two successful festivals the following notice was posted on this site. Content is from the sites 2013 archived pages.
We regret to inform you that the Oregon Renaissance Festival of Hillsboro will not continue into a 3rd season.
On the conclusion of our 2014 Festival season the future appeared bright. The positive support from within our community was greatly encouraging of things to come, and planning commenced for the 2015 season.
Early this year our Festival was presented a 2015 lease proposal from the Washington County Fair Complex. The lease was found to be unacceptable by the Festival due to numerous non-negotiable changes in terms. The proposed changes would have adversely affected many of our entertainers’ and artisans’ ability to continue to participate and thus, the Festival’s ability to successfully operate.
The Festival made a concentrated effort to secure an acceptable alternate site within the greater Portland community. Unfortunately, the remaining challenges to work out an acceptable lease are too numerous to overcome within the time we deem required to move forward in summer 2015.
The Festival sincerely appreciates all of your support and patronage these past two seasons. We believe you, our guests, have always been the driving force behind our young show. We hope that the brief time you spent with us brought you joyful memories that might be carried forward in each of your lives.
Wishing you a journey paved with good health and good luck!
Fair thee well and HUZZAH!
Saturdays, Sundays & Labor Day â—‡ August 24 - September 29, 2013 â—‡ 10am - 7pm
For over 50 years, Renaissance Festivals have been entertaining and enriching generations across the nation by creating a colorful escape to a place filled with chivalry and romance, delicious food and drink, rousing entertainment and amazing artistry from around the country.
Come celebrate the 1st Annual Oregon Renaissance Festival this summer
This summer, the Washington County Fair Complex in the city of Hillsboro will host a re-creation of a 16th century European village for 13 days of merriment, The Oregon Renaissance Festival! Bringing together some of the most talented artists and non-stop amazing stage entertainment, this is an event not to be missed.
A renaissance of the Renaissance! Improv theatre surrounds as the village streets bustle with characters to greet you. Immerse yourself in this joyful celebration of life, love, laughter and drama. Marvel at the pageantry of a day in the life of the Queen, her royal court and village merchants.
History comes alive along with your imagination! Thrill to see knights in shining armor in a live Jousting Tournament. Throughout the village, beautiful maidens, wandering minstrels, joking jesters and jugglers abound. Magicians, acrobats, comedians, swordfighters, pirates and fairies entertain and delight, all the while you feast on renaissance inspired food and drink by some of the best food purveyors in the land. Savory turkey legs, steak on a stake, bangers & mash, chocolate covered cheesecake, cappuccinos and much more!
Enjoy a unique shopping experience where you will find hand made jewelry, pottery, woodworking, leatherwork, fine metal craftsmanship, renaissance clothing and much more. See one of a kind creations made right before your eyes during skilled artisan demonstrations. Entertaining games, and unique hand-powered rides are sure to keep you wondering how time flies so fast in the past.
Join us and celebrate with continuous laughter, the many surprises that await you in the joy of the Renaissance!
"I attended the 2014 festivities and had a marvelous time. Had a pair of custom boots made for me and I love and wear them still. The entertainment was superb, especially the magicians! I was chatting with one of the knights in armor and noticed that when he removed his breast plate he had a Batman t shirt on underneath. At first I was aghast at the blasphemy of a modern article of clothing, but it was an amazingly gorgeous print of the Batman Begins movie, and I am an avid Batman fan. Short story: I learned about the online retailer MoonAtMidnight.com that sells these awesome shirts and ordered a bunch of them when I got home. So not only did I get a cool pair of hand made boots but also received an incredible tip on where to buy the best Batman t shirts I've ever seen. I'm wearing one right now!" Jason Smythe of Olde Windsor
RoundTable Productions offers a unique and very special medieval armored joust. Step back in time and witness an event fit for kings, queens and commoners alike. The Royal Joust is a special event that accurately captures the feeling of a true historic joust, your guests will witness knights in shinning armor, ladies in majestic gowns, the grandeur of colorful warhorses, all the pomp and pageantry of the medieval event that has thrilled people’s imagination for five hundred years. 3 Performances Daily.
Join these wet dirty women for some good clean fun, as the Washing Well Wenches fill your day with love, laughter, and laundry! This wacky duo will win your hearts and keep you rolling in your seats. Bring a man, bring a beer, and bring your britches. See you at the washtub!
Experience the sharp wit of Thom Sellectomy! Enjoy his clever cutting humor. Entertaining audiences world-wide with his sword swallowing antics.
Close up magician, storyteller, and human ambassador to the faerie realm. While Jeremiah seems to be a human fantasy jukebox, his true agenda is educating folk in the needs of the little people and getting himself elected again. He is recognizable by his very large mushroom, the soapbox upon which he stands. If you don’t believe in faeries before meeting Wiggins you most likely will after. This multidimensional traveller has been performing at Renaissance and faerie festivals for over twenty years.
A black-feathered birdman that flies on top of a ball using kung fu fans for wings. He swoops down and invites his audience into his world of extraordinary magic. Joshua Safford has been playing the Raven at Renaissance festivals for almost two decades.
Come see what your mind will not believe. Watch your friends hypnotized in a strange mysterious fashion. Learn to tap into your Subconscious mind in a fun relaxing manner. Yes the funniest show you will ever sleep through!
Have you ever personally seen someone float in mid-air, or water stop in mid-stream? Magical Mystical Michael will make it happen right before your very eyes! Michael loves making his audience laugh while they’re scratching their heads and wondering “How’d he do that?” A true entertainer, he blends mystery and mirth to keep you marveling, wondering and smiling every minute of the show.
Known for her dynamic, passionate approach to harp performance, Elizabeth Nicholson is counted among America’s foremost interpreters of traditional Celtic music. Recognized as a vocalist who “sings beautifully…”, Elizabeth possesses an elegant command of traditional song, and an extensive repertoire of early ballads.
A life-long musician, Elizabeth grew up in Chicago studying harp with Northwestern University professor Liz Cifani, and Jenny Lindner through Reed College. This Celtic superstar has a number of musical releases to her credit including the 2008 album “Fly Not Yet” and her 2006 treasure “Sink or Swim.”
Some of Elizabeth’s most memorable early musical influences came from attending Renaissance festivals in her teens, and she is delighted to be playing for the Oregon Renaissance Festival’s opening season.
The Oregon Renaissance Festival of Hillsboro, though short-lived, aimed to transport visitors back to the 16th century with a vibrant recreation of a European village. For two seasons, in 2013 and 2014, the festival brought together artisans, entertainers, and food vendors to create an immersive experience filled with chivalry, romance, and revelry. While the festival is no longer active, its website, OregonRenFest.com, remains as a digital archive, offering a glimpse into what the event offered and the community it fostered.
The Oregon Renaissance Festival was conceived with a clear vision: to enrich and entertain generations by offering a colorful escape to a world of renaissance. Drawing inspiration from established Renaissance festivals across the nation, the organizers sought to create a unique event within the greater Portland area. Their goal was to create a space where history came alive, imaginations soared, and visitors could immerse themselves in the joy of Renaissance culture.
The festival was held at the Washington County Fair Complex in Hillsboro, Oregon. The fairgrounds were transformed into a bustling 16th-century village. The atmosphere was carefully crafted to transport visitors to another time and place, complete with period-appropriate costumes, architecture, and activities.
A wide variety of entertainment was a central element of the Oregon Renaissance Festival. From jousting tournaments to comedic performances, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
RoundTable Productions: A highlight of the festival was the full-armored joust show presented by RoundTable Productions. These performances recreated the excitement and pageantry of a true historic joust. Knights in shining armor, majestic warhorses, and ladies in elegant gowns captivated audiences with their skill and showmanship. Three performances were held daily.
The Washing Well Wenches: This comedic duo brought laughter and lightheartedness to the festival with their interactive and zany act. The Washing Well Wenches engaged the audience with their humor and laundry-themed antics.
Thom Sellectomy: Thom Sellectomy wowed audiences with his sharp wit, cutting humor, and sword-swallowing antics. His performances were a blend of comedy and daring skill.
Jeremiah Wiggins: As a storyteller and close-up magician, Jeremiah Wiggins served as a "human ambassador to the faerie realm." He shared stories, performed magic, and educated visitors about the world of fairies.
The Raven: This unique act featured Joshua Safford as a black-feathered birdman who performed magic while balancing on a ball, using kung fu fans for wings.
Lord Franko: This Master Hypnotist offered attendees a chance to witness the power of the subconscious mind in a fun, relaxing and humorous manner.
Magical Mystical Michael: Audiences marveled at Michael's illusions, including levitation and water suspension. His blend of mystery and mirth was intended to leave viewers wondering "How'd he do that?".
Elizabeth Nicholson: A renowned Celtic harpist and vocalist, Elizabeth Nicholson brought her dynamic and passionate performances to the Oregon Renaissance Festival. Her elegant command of traditional song and extensive repertoire of early ballads created a captivating musical experience.
The Oregon Renaissance Festival provided a unique shopping experience, with a wide array of artisans and merchants offering handmade goods. Visitors could find jewelry, pottery, woodworking, leatherwork, fine metal craftsmanship, and Renaissance clothing. Skilled artisan demonstrations allowed visitors to witness the creation of one-of-a-kind items.
Food and drink were an integral part of the festival experience. Vendors offered Renaissance-inspired fare, including savory turkey legs, steak on a stake, bangers and mash, and chocolate-covered cheesecake. Cappuccinos and other beverages were also available.
The Oregon Renaissance Festival sought to engage a diverse audience, from families and history enthusiasts to fantasy lovers and those seeking a unique entertainment experience. The festival fostered a sense of community among its attendees, artisans, and performers.
Despite the positive support from the community following the 2014 season, the Oregon Renaissance Festival was unable to continue into a third season. The primary reason for the festival's demise was an "unacceptable" lease proposal from the Washington County Fair Complex, which included non-negotiable changes in terms. These changes would have adversely affected the ability of entertainers and artisans to participate, making it difficult for the festival to operate successfully.
The festival organizers made a concentrated effort to find an alternate site within the greater Portland community, but they were unable to overcome the challenges of securing an acceptable lease within the necessary timeframe.
In a farewell message on the website, the festival organizers expressed their appreciation for the support and patronage they received during the two seasons. They hoped that the joyful memories created at the festival would be carried forward in the lives of their guests.
Renaissance festivals, in general, hold cultural and social significance as they provide a space for historical re-enactment, artistic expression, and community building. They offer a unique form of entertainment that combines education, performance, and immersive experiences. The Oregon Renaissance Festival, though short-lived, contributed to this tradition by bringing a taste of the Renaissance to the Pacific Northwest.
Even though the Oregon Renaissance Festival is no longer active, it left a lasting impression on those who attended. The festival provided an opportunity to escape the ordinary and step into a world of fantasy and history. The memories created at the festival, from witnessing jousting tournaments to browsing artisan crafts, continue to resonate with those who experienced it.
One attendee, Jason Smythe, shared his positive experience on the website. He had custom boots made for him at the festival and praised the entertainment, especially the magicians. He also recounted an amusing anecdote about seeing a knight in armor wearing a Batman t-shirt underneath his breastplate, which led him to discover an online retailer selling unique Batman shirts.
The OregonRenFest.com website serves as a digital archive of the festival. While it is no longer updated with information about current events, it provides a valuable resource for those interested in learning about the festival's history, entertainment, vendors, and vision. The website includes photos, videos, and descriptions of past events.
The story of the Oregon Renaissance Festival offers several lessons for event organizers and community stakeholders. It highlights the importance of securing favorable lease agreements, fostering strong relationships with vendors and entertainers, and building a sustainable business model. It also underscores the value of community support and engagement in ensuring the success of cultural events.
In conclusion, the Oregon Renaissance Festival of Hillsboro was a celebration of history, art, and community. Despite its brief existence, the festival brought joy and wonder to those who attended. The OregonRenFest.com website stands as a reminder of the festival's vision and the memories it created. It serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of the Renaissance and the human desire to escape into a world of imagination and merriment.
Location: Washington County Fair Complex, Hillsboro, Oregon
Dates of Operation: 2013-2014
Hours of Operation: Saturdays, Sundays, and Labor Day, 10 am - 7 pm
Activities: Jousting tournaments, live music, comedy shows, artisan demonstrations, craft vendors, food and drink
The festival aimed to create an immersive experience for visitors, transporting them back to the 16th century.
Entertainment was a key element of the festival, with a wide variety of acts catering to different tastes.
The festival provided a platform for local artisans and performers to showcase their talents.
The festival's demise highlights the challenges of securing affordable and suitable venues for cultural events.
The OregonRenFest.com website serves as a valuable archive of the festival's history and legacy.
The festival featured a full-armored joust show by RoundTable Productions.
The Washing Well Wenches provided comedic entertainment.
Thom Sellectomy performed sword-swallowing acts.
Elizabeth Nicholson, a Celtic harpist and vocalist, was among the musical performers.
Food vendors offered Renaissance-inspired fare, such as turkey legs and steak on a stake.
Jason Smythe's testimonial highlights the positive impact the festival had on attendees.
The festival's website provides examples of the entertainment, vendors, and activities that were offered.
The festival's farewell message illustrates the challenges faced by the organizers in securing a viable venue.
Located at site of Washington County Fair Complex
873 NE 34th Ave
Hillsboro, Oregon 97124