School Day
School Day is a Renaissance Fayre Tradition, that dates back to the very first Fayres, and speaks to the heart of what Renaissance Fair is.
Fayre Winds both sponsors and facilitates this tradition.
What Happens At School Day?
Attendance in 2025 was ~700 kids, with heavy interest from homeschooled children.
The exact curriculum varies from year to year, as teachers are volunteers from the community, teaching kids about history doing so because they are excited to teach kids about history.
Typically a Joust is held for them- Knights, in armor, on warhorses, Clashing.
They interact with the Royal Court.
Then they are introduced to Blacksmithing and shooting weapons, like the Trebuchet and Ballista – the weapons that changed the War of the 1400-1700’s.
Between these flashy, inspiring acts the guilds participating in school day fill in the more 'meat and potatoes' instruction, with their in depth knowledge on specific times, places and crafting techniques.
Again, it varies, but some examples include demonstrations of and take home worksheets for Speech of the time period, and how to tell time by a tree’s shadow.
Creating School Day
School day begins the day before the Fair is open to the public- select vendors, guilds and acts volunteer to participate, setting up and showing up early to help out.
School children are then allowed on site to be inspired by and learn about history.
Overseeing our school day program is Melissa
Her day job is as a teacher. Her job at faire is managing School Day and the Royal Court. Nobles and Kids. ALL of the trouble makers. She does quite well. The program has flourished under her guidance.
Like all good work, this will not go unpunished. Attendance interest is very strong as a result of her hard work. We anticipate School Day attendance continuing to grow and her job getting easier and easier!
