At A Grade Ahead, we provide superior academic enrichment for our students. Time spent in our classrooms is vital to academic growth. While classroom time is important, time spent outside the classroom can also be a great learning opportunity. A Grade Ahead knows that learning happens everywhere. As summer break winds down, late-summer festivals move into gear with opportunities for weekend fun and excitement. Join us for this article as we travel southwest of our Central Ohio headquarters to visit The Ohio Renaissance Festival.
Some of my favorite memories from school are field trips. Growing up in Central Ohio, I went on many fun field trips throughout elementary, middle, and high school. I remember trips to Highbanks, the Columbus Zoo, Cosi, and The Franklin Park Conservatory, to name a few. One of my all-time favorite field trips was the seventh-grade trek to the Ohio Renaissance Festival. Located in Waynesville, Ohio, the 2025 festival will run weekends and Labor Day from August 30th to October 26th. From jousting, to man-powered rides, to fairies and pirates, the celebration encourages guests to embrace the merriment of whimsy.
Jousting
A major highlight of the festival is the Full Armored Joust. Set in the Arena of Champions, the joust features two combatting knights on horseback. The fully armored knights charge at each other with lances aiming to break their own weapons or unhorse their opponent. Audience members, young and old, take part in the action by choosing a favorite knight to root for. This spectacle combines comedy and history in a delightfully fun and interactive way. With three daily show times, the joust is a must-see event for the whole family.
Human Chess
Another fun-filled event at the festival is the Human Combat Chess Match. If you’re a fan of Harry Potter or Alice Through the Looking Glass, then you might be familiar with Human Chess. The festival hosts a life-size chess match on a field instead of a board, and with actual people in place of pieces. What a fun way to get your child excited about this ultimate game of strategy. Did you know the game of chess has origins in India? A Grade Ahead also has roots in India! Check out our story here.
Rides
For children, one of the main attractions at any summer festival is the rides. The Ohio Renaissance Festival features several unique options in the realm of rides; the unique part being they are man-powered! Unlike most fair rides that require electricity or gas engines, these thrills are human generated and eco-friendly. Do you want your child to be environmentally aware and eco-conscious? Check out A Grade Ahead’s science curriculum for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. Our curriculum explores topics including Earth’s energy resources, mineral resources, habitats, ecosystems, biomes, weather, climate, and more.
Food
A day full of jousting, games, and man-powered rides will lead to the need to refuel. With a variety of fair food located throughout the festival, guests have options ranging from pizza, to burgers, to baked potatoes. One popular snack unique to the festival is the turkey leg. While giant turkey legs are a classic Renaissance Festival staple, you should know they were not a common food item in Renaissance Europe. Gnawing a turkey drumstick might make festival goers feel like Renaissance men, but this American menu item only dates to the mid-20th century. The festival fare might not be historically accurate, but it will certainly hit the spot!
Family Friendly Fun
In addition to shows, rides, and snacks, the festival has even more family friendly attractions. A nature-based playground allows kids a chance to explore and release energy through unstructured play. Older kids will have fun competing in games like archery, Jacob’s ladder, tomato throwing and darts. Your littlest ones will love interacting with walk-around characters including fairies, pirates, knights, and the royal court. Be sure to check out the theme for each weekend. Guests are encouraged to dress up and get into character as well!
The Ohio Renaissance Festival is a great opportunity for families to let loose, be silly, and have fun. With endless amounts of entertainment, guests are sure to make memories that will last a lifetime. At A Grade Ahead, we love having fun and making memories! Have you ever been to the Ohio Renaissance Festival? What was your favorite part? Let us know in the comments below!
Would you like your child to take an active interest in science or history? Call or visit an A Grade Ahead Academy near you and see if they are offering Eco-Explorers, Time Traveler Tales, or one of our other enrichment camps in your area! Check out this previous article about our camps.
Ready to send your child on his or her own academic adventure? Take a free assessment or sign up for a free trial class and get started with A Grade Ahead today!
Author: Amanda Hutson, Curriculum Assistant at A Grade Ahead
