11/25/2019
"I am very honored to have been able to help make that magic happen for the last 4 years. And it is with a very sad heart I must tell you that the 2020 Faire has been canceled..."
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“The magic that happens” is always my answer when I am asked what my favorite part of the Grand Junction Renaissance Faire is. Never having been to a Renaissance Faire before, I didn’t know what it entailed or the beauty, magic, and love that poured into it. Even if someone had told me, I would not have understood until being part of it and experiencing it for myself.
Each year, an army of volunteers, performers, technicians, and staff come together to create a village that transports as all into a realm of beauty, understanding, and magic. Children get to live their dream of meeting fairies and mermaids, watching a real joust with Knights in shining armor, and meet Pirates trying to invade the land. Adults can throw axes, watch concerts, shop the artisan market, and drink mead from a horn. And families can laugh together, dance to music, eat turkey legs, and enjoy the day in a wholesome environment that is like no other.
To me though, the most magical part of it all is the community it creates. From the moment we cross the bridge and walk through the castle, we are all transported to a village full of merriment, wonder, and excitement. So many different people from all walks of life with their own interests, their own beliefs, and their own troubles are able to leave those concerns at the drawbridge and join a community of art, beauty, laughter, acceptance, and joyfulness. No one leaves the Faire with a frown on their face. And that’s magic.
I am very honored to have been able to help make that magic happen for the last 4 years. And it is with a very sad heart I must tell you that the 2020 Faire has been canceled and the Grand Junction Renaissance Faire will be closing. As many of you know, the GJRF is hosted and underwritten by Juniper Ridge Community School. It started 5 years ago with the goal of growing it into our biggest fundraiser and while we knew it would take years of time to grow into what we imagined, many things have changed for the school during that time (including building a brand new campus) which has made us adjust our plans.
We want to thank everyone who helped grow the GJRF into what it became and helped to make the magic happen. So many people donated time, talent, and resources each year. We had some of the best vendors, performers, and Guilds around. And thank you to the thousands of patrons that came each year to support the GJRF and Juniper Ridge Community School.
If you are a business or non-profit organization interested in taking the Grand Junction Renaissance Faire forward, please contact Brenda at [email protected] or (970) 462-7795.
To magic, love, and light,
Brenda Chesney
Event Director, Grand Junction Renaissance Faire
"It's still magic even if you know how it is done". - Terry Pratchett
