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News • New Mexico • United States • 2011-08-01

Calling All Damsels and Knights of the Artist Realm 40TH ANNUAL RENAISSANCE ARTSFAIRE NOVEMBER 5 & 6, 2011

Las Cruces, NM - The Doña Ana Arts Council herefore issues said proclamation declaring Saturday, November 5th & Sunday, November 6th the 40th Annual Renaissance ArtsFaire! Come one, come all to feast on turkey legs, sip a libation or two, watch rats catapulted by The Ratcatcher and browse through over 150 artist vendor booths. The Renaissance ArtsFaire transforms Young Park, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, into a magical realm where a medieval sensibility reigns throughout the entire weekend. Featuring the largest juried art show in Southern New Mexico, the 40th Annual Renaissance ArtsFaire offers unique treasures for all.

More than one hundred fifty (150) artists and artisans from throughout the region and across the country will be on hand to sell original, handcrafted items, including jewelry, pottery and ceramics, photographs, leather goods, paintings and drawings, sculpture, toys, musical instruments, textiles and wood. In addition to the artists' booths, the two-day festival features on-going entertainment on the The Rio Grande Main Stage, The Merry Court of Sherwood Oak, The Middle Eastern Village and The Children's Realm. World class wines and Fine Grog are available for tasting or purchasing in the Imperial Libation Garden.

Magellan, the Faire's specially created dragon, spends the weekend overseeing the activities while floating lazily on Young Park Lake. Attendees daring enough can take a canoe ride to get "up close and personal" with the Faire's most famous icon.

The hills of Young Park will be alive with the sounds of music by award-winning musician Randy Granger, crowd favorites La Cella Bella and many others. Get close to the Hawkquest majestic birds of prey; be amazed by Magicians, Jugglers, and Theatrical acts. The Ratcatcher returns this year for more catapulting fun, flinging rats and pumpkins.

The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), Amtgaard and the Adrian Empire fight for supremacy on the green. Knights and Ladies stroll the pathways, mixing with squires and peasants alike. The Merry Court of Sherwood Oak offers a fractured look into royal life of the period with the Queen's "Bawdy Balladeer," and a medieval "fashion show". Marvel at the belly gyrations of the Middle Eastern Village performers, or decorate your belly with a henna tattoo.

Children can join in the Renaissance fun in the Children's Realm; shoot some arrows, feed the alligator, try the Knight's Ring and Dragon Toss and make your own crown, sword or helmet! Children can also dig for fossils or shop for bargains at the Peddler's Market while mom and dad enjoy a glass of wine or grog in the Imperial Libation Garden.

The Faire will be open 10am - 6pm on Saturday and 10am - 4pm on Sunday. Gate admission is $6.00 for adults, children 12 and under are free. Proceeds from the Faire are designated for art programs and other cultural activities in the community - all sponsored by the Doña Ana Arts Council.

For health and safety reasons, faire-goers are advised that ABSOLUTELY NO PETS ALLOWED, except service animals, will be admitted to the Faire.

Young Park is located one block south of the intersection of Lohman and Walnut Avenues and is easily accessible from both I-25 (Lohman exit) and I-10 (Amador exit). To avoid parking congestion, attendees are encouraged to ride the FREE shuttle from the Mesilla Valley Mall, to and from the park. Watch for the signs; YELLOW SCHOOL BUS pick- up is located on SW corner of the mall near Cineport 10 movie theatres. The shuttle will run every 10 - 15 minutes beginning at 10am each day. Additional Faire information may be obtained by contacting The Dona Ana Arts Council at (505) 523-6403, via email infodaac@daarts.org or online at www.las-cruces-arts.org.

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