Sterling Renaissance Festival Review

The place was so much fun. The Turkey leg my boyfriend and I got were dry and 12 dollars. It helps if you do get the sauce on it. The costume rental placed called Royal Rags Rentals has very lovely outfits for all ages. There were three levels of costumes that I knew of that I could rent from. There was Peasant which was 50 plus tax, Wench for women *not sure for men* 60 plus tax and Royals which is 90 plus tax. The tax I believe is 10 dollars. But you do get a whole wardrobe, from head to toe. The boots are extra cost to wear, not sure how much. Don't worry about getting too hot, just ask for a hat or fan. For the women there is a basket for the wench you can put your stuff in. Also if you're short like me get there early so you can get a short shirt, but don't worry they do use safety pens to shorten your shirt. It might be a little long but as long as you lift your shirt with your hands or tuck it in your dress it is fine. The shops are beautiful but the clothing is expensive, don't expect to get any clothing under 80 bucks too much. There are two rules I believe when renting the costume, one is if you need to go to your car that is outside the village you need to stop at the costume rental shop and tell them first and two if you want to see the Muddy Middens to sit in the back so your costume does not get mud on it. For a whole outfit it in the thousands but I do have to say it is worth the money. There are different types of food so not to worry about just one type of food. You can watch a actual blacksmith make a sword which is fun, the swords which are dull cost in the hundreds but also worth it. They will also make a custom made sword, from handle to the shape of the sword. The drinking cups are also in high price but nicely made. From getting your hair braided to glass figurines they have many shops that you can visit. They have a lot of games to play and entertainment. The Washer Pit with the two washer wenches and even a washer man near the Jousting are one of my favorite things I saw but make sure to sit near the back unless you want to get wet! The Clan Tynker Circus family is also a favorite I saw, very funny and talented with there magic and different acts. Besides the food there are pubs, for indoors and out. Not cheap but good. The mead my boyfriend and I had were nine dollars. Was cold and good. All in all I had a wonderful time and will keep coming back!

It was an absolute joy to return to the Sterling Festival after six long years. Fantastic food and entertainment, and the most wonderful people on Earth.

A lot of fun for everyone. Spend the day back in time and enjoy all the festival has to offer - shows, games, vendors, food, drink, and revelry.

Fantastic as always... love the ideas..costumes and food...

A great time for the family... there is too much going on to see it all

Fun place to bring the kids. Things add up quickly there when it comes to eating. I'd pack a light lunch

Awesome shows and great atmosphere. Make sure to see Daniel, the Duke of Danger.

So much fun! Very interactive experience! You should come dressed up or rent a costume there. Lots of great shops, food, shows, and music. And activities. A lot of fun for families as well!

This is my first time at a Ren Faire and it was amazing. I got common folk confused for employees, the atmosphere was welcoming and everything you buy is hand crafted. I'll be there next year for sure!

Most of the food is too expensive (especially Turkey legs and ice cream sundaes). I'd also like to see more variety in food choices. That said, in EVERY other respect this is a wonderful festival with amazing street interaction (best in the business IMHO), music, stage shows, vendors, the whole nine yards!

Absolutely love this place. We have been going for many years. There is nothing not to like. Very entertaining, very clean, good food. Great performers, great people in general. Love the shops.

What an incredible collection of humanity's weirdest, dorkiest, people. You can satisfy your hunger for budlight and Renaissance cosplay all at one! Wicked expensive and super fun. You gotta go atleast once.

When i was kid i was dreaming about castles dragons brave knights kings queens pirates and after 38 years my dream become true, yesterday I spent a magical day in the festival it s like nothing I witnessed before and let me tell u, I ve been in Disney, Universal Studios and circus du soliel Basically u r part of the show . If u have not been here before u don t know what what u r missing and if u been here before I m sure u know what I mean and i know u will b back again. Now, if u have money pls support the community and the festival and buy ur food, drinks from here. However don t let ur tight budget preventing u from coming here, u can always bring your food,drinks and keep them in the car. The parking lot is really close. Thank u Sterling for having us and god save the Queen

We go every year. Always a great time. I love all the interaction with the actors. Lots of great things for kids to do as well.

There is a reason people go back every year, this is a perfect way to escape to another time. There's great food, music, merchants and entertainment based on a time long ago. You don't have to dress up but many do. There's free parking and get your tickets on line to avoid the lines. We stay to the end, pub sing is a perfect finale to this medieval escape.

Overall amazing vibe at the festival. All performers and vendors are super kind and everyone is really into being there. It really is fun for all ages and types of people.

The Queen is a very charming beauty! Ask nice and she will pose for a pic! #renfest40

Great time very interesting and good was wonderful. The skits were amazing,very funny. Would highly recommend taking family for The day.

Fun and relaxing to walk around and see the shows at the festival. Pricey to get in but the food was surprisingly affordable.

We have not been to the Sterling Renaissance festival in 14 years Since then there has been an ownership change. Many things have changed obviously, the shows were all excellent! The fish and chips stand - the only way to go as far as getting your moneys worth with food (and delicious). The cons - the credit card machines were not working at box office making it an even longer wait to get in even at 10 am, atm machines not all working, no wine or wine slushies, ran out of many food items . They were definitely not prepared for opening day. The artists that you buy from are pricy but above and beyond quality and beauty . Again the shows and staff as always was wonderful.

Got there at 10am this year and enjoyed it throughly. Give yourself plenty of time to see the plays, jousting, and explore. The shops are really cool too, lots of stuff you won't find elsewhere. Unique food and snack options too. Try the lemon with a candy cane straw stuck in it. It tastes great and I'll be replicating it at home. There's no escaping the heat so dress in cool clothing if you're spending the day there. Don't expect any of the shops or attractions to have A/C. Make sure you get your wrist band on the way in if you want to drink, saves you going back.

I've been a part of this great place for over thirty years! Great atmosphere!

Fresh fruit, massive single pickles, village atmosphere, awesome actors. Lots to see and do with free quality shows. Everyone is really cool and it's worth going to at least once!

I liked it though I wish I had a friend with me but maybe next year for that.

Love the dress code...wish I had some Renaissance clothes

Only 4 this time because I felt a few really good acts weren't there this time around. That's really the only negative though. All of the acts do a great job at staying in character on and off the stage. Well worth dressing up and interacting with the characters. Another nice thing is most of it is in the shaded or relatively easy to be in shade when it's really hot out.

Was amazing , the people you meet and things you see are great.

The atm9 sphere is great. The food is delicious. A lot of fun!

We visit for two consecutive days. Really the best way so you dont feel rushed. Plenty of variety of things to do while your there. Great shops and games. Really takes you back to that era, especially since there is no cellphone connection once you go through its gates (walkie talkies recommended for group communication) Really alot of fun when you dress up for the occasion. We went to The Royal Feast this year and it was FANTASTIC!

I've been going to this faire since I was 16, I am now 48. As you can see, I have been going to this particular faire for many years, and I have yet to ever get bored. I've been to a few other fairs, and I believe this is one of the best ever. Great food, awesome artisans, fun shows, and a cast that is just a lot of fun. You don't need to be dressed in costume to have a great time. Great for the whole family.

The first time I've been there in about 20 years a lot of stuff to see the shows were great I am no complaints.

Loved it, as all years. Miss Hey Nunnie Nunnie, but always a good time!

Family fun for all! Friendly staff, very interactive and make you feel like a part of the Renaissance era. Can be pricey depending on your choice of food or artisan shop purchases, but the overall experience can be worth it! Highly recommend coming on the Family themed weekend for families since kid tickets are free with a purchase of an adult ticket. Best value!

Went for my hubbys birthday and it did not disappoint! So much fun! Took it all in.

So many good shows could not see everything in one day. Food is a bit pricey, but the entertainers are first rate.

had a blast great for kids! some prices like for the rides were cheap and games, but other things the prices were crazy high

Great Ambiance, Prices too high. Still had fun, didn't buy much food. Will go back.

Very fun and exciting! I look forward to going every year but the summer of 2017 things just seemed skimpy? Like there were less vendors or something im not sure but i set aside around $800 to spend there this past summer and i think i spent 150 mostly on food... Please book more vendors!!! Or adult activities even a petting zoo for gods sake... I certainly hope the staff here puts 200% effort into making the festival unforgetable this year upstate ny dosent have as many exciting events as most places it would be upsetting to see this place go down hill any further

AMAZING! We renewed our wedding vows in a special package they offered! It was worth every penny! We got a beautiful certificate and vows we said, plus commemorative mug and gobblet. We all got special attention from the Queen!
The grounds and the venders were great! We didn't eat there, but all the food looked really good!

Enjoyed a day in the forest. Plan to go bad next year.

Simply a wonderful experience, I highly recommend it.

The PEASANT BREAD and the Spiede chicken is amazing.

Loads of fun. Enjoy participating in the event and make yourself out to be a dashing Lord, or a cunning theif.

Always have a great time and love watching the performers.

It was my first going and I loved it it you love role-playing and interactive theater this is the place to go

It was a very fun experience. Family friendly, although there were some adult-only shows. Interesting old timey foods and drinks. Be prepared to stand in long lines tho. Definitely check out the dirty poetry guy and the jousting. There are also stores that sold leather gear, wooden and metal weapons, and other interesting stuff. If planned right, everything could be experienced in a day.

Fun but expensive once you get inside. Food and drink add up fast. find a coupon if you can.

Good food, great acts, all around fun place for the whole family

Meh. Not sure why I went. $9 domestic beers made it worse. Good unique stuff for sale however.

Always a great time. Wonderful entertainment, unique shops, and non-stop laughter. This is a must visit place that is filled with wonderment and charm.

It's always been on my bucket list since a kid. I took the 2 hour drive. I found it very pricey. I also found the entertainment lacking. The jousting was my main thing to see. I was very disappointed in the speaker and sound. I would say to not plan a weekend for this as 3/4 or even a 1/2 a day is all that's needed.

eated a mushroom sambich. very good. turkey leg? not for me. also a lemimade. new bathrooms extra stinky. very authentic

A nice variety of small stage shows and medieval themed shenanigans.

Overall great, but a few problems. Firstly, it got way too hot, and there was nowhere to cool off. Even inside buildings, it was still hot. Me and several people in my group ended up sick and having chest pain, even though we drank as much water as possible. It's down a big hill, so there's no air circulation. It'd be great to have some industrial fans scattered around.
Secondly, one of the handlers for the jousting horses was being aggressive towards the horses and hitting them in the face.
The prices for the merchants and games seems fair, but the food is expensive. Buuuuuut, it's not really a place to go on a budget, so I can let that slide.
I'll go back for sure, but never again in hot weather.

Sucked so bad . Overpriced . Best thing was the musicians and one of the magic shows was good. The older man was funny and did a great job getting the audience involved. Food was overpriced. Some of the vendors had nice stuff at reasonable prices but I wouldn't waste my time. Several of the shows were exactly the same .... awful . Hope they pay their help well for the prices they charged. There were thousands there. The village idiots were just that idiots and their show was not at all family oriented. Dirty innuendos with children in the audience. Don't Go!

We first visited in 2001 and have ached to be back. We'll be visiting several times this summer as this show has a lot of nooks and crannies to explore. The entertainment is varied from music, to silk aerialists, to comedy and magic, it is a bonanza. The vending is amazing with a juried show, you can be sure the goods are of great quality.

Great entertainment for all ages and all walks of life! The food may be $$ but there's actors and shows everywhere the whole time you're there. You pay at the door and enjoy!

Fun place to cosplay and eat, great atmosphere and performances!

Enjoyed everything..food is on the high side for price...but overall a great time!!

First time going and wasn't what I expected. It was great. A lot of walking. The events that went on ..jousting, wench show, etc fun

Always a great time! And remember : turkey legs are larger than they appear.

Great fun. Most of the vendors make their own products. The beautiful shops give it a authentic feel. I differently think this is a must see in central New York.

Wish the jousting field has seats not sitting in the grass or standing

Most everything is quite pricey, especially drinks! But it is a great place to go. You must go at least 5 times to get a true feel for it and experience "everything"

Simply the best Renn Fest I've ever been to. Very professional actors who always stay in character. Fun and interesting shows, decent fair food, and lots of talented artisans. My wife and I have gone the last ten years!

A blast! Wish it could move out of the hottest months, (to May & June) especially when the costumes are so heavy and we live to dress up! I cant afford to buy most of the crafts for sale there, however.

The Sterling Festival is an amazing immersive experience! The actors and actresses are very friendly and accommodating, and there is fun for all ages! The reason I tacked off a star is because it is NOT wheelchair accessible. Other than the extreme mobility difficulties, it was amazing!

The food is good, the entertainment is phenomenal, and the venue is beautiful! Worth a trip.

I didnt hate the Ren Fair in Sterling, NY. They have turned into wanting money constantly and prices for the smallest thing is highly over priced. It is not what it was 10 to 15 years ago.

My 2nd time coming this year and it was just as fun. Plan your day according to the shows going on as they're a big part of the festival. Lots of vendors from armor, apparel, trinkets and much more. Food is pricey but will fill you up. They do have jousting at the end of the day but the other shows will keep you busy especially if you get called up to participate in one. Definitely worth visiting!

Food sucks and is very expensive, nothing like it use to be before it changed hands. The only good part is the actors.

Great costumes, excellent characteristics, loved the queen's parade. Great entertainment, event calender lacks detail. Has larger details, smaller theaters not mentioned. Overall excellent time!

We have been doing to the sterling renaissance festival for about 15-16 years. The whole family loves it. I have two sons who are in different branches of the military that as soon as they both were home wanted to go there for the day. We actually are planning a second trip up there this year. I do wish however that you would bring back the haunted Halloween as well.

Absolutely must do!! You walk into a full rennesance expirience. Characters walk amoung and interact with the crowd. Shows... Vendors.. It has it all! Best part is the jousting!

Love this place I've gone to it since childhood...will keep going too . It's just fun .and the glass blowers would make excellent teacher's