The Minnesota Renaissance Festival celebrated their 45th season this year. The festival is one of the largest and oldest renaissance festival in the U.S. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is held in Shakopee, Minn., but its original festival grounds was in Jonathan, Minn., on 22-acres of ground.

In 1971, when the festival first opened, 25,000 people visited the grand opening two weekend event, named “ A celebration of Nature, Art and Life.” Now, an average 300,000 people come to the festival.

Emma Konrad, senior, attends the Renaissance Festival every year, even going so far as to wear a costume every time she goes. This year, she bought a costume from Spirit Halloween and dressed up as a gypsy.

In doing so, Konrad has joined a large group of festival-goers who enjoy dressing up in costume for the festival every year. That process can often cost a great deal of time and money, especially for those who decide to make their costumes by hand.

“The environment is so exciting and great because everyone is there to experience the festival together,” Konrad said.

The festival is set in medieval times, so it can be set during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I , or the reign of Henry VIII. The festival can also be set in other European countries, like France.

The festival has over 700 entertainers, 275 crafters, and 120 food booths. Magicians, Juggling troupe, and Zilch the Torysteller have been at the festival for many years, and other famous performers like Puke and Snot have regularly performed at the festival for years. At the Minnesota festival there are 16 stages of live entertainers.

“Vendors are my favorite part of the festival,” Konrad said

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is owned and operated by Mid-America festivals, who put on several other events in the United States like Trail of Terror and The Running Dead 5k.