OLIVE HILL, Ky — Eastern Kentucky is getting a new opportunity to step into another world this fall as the inaugural Vandalia Renaissance and Fantasy Faire comes to the Carter County Shrine Club Showgrounds in Olive Hill.
The three-day event will begin Friday, Oct. 9, and continue through Sunday, Oct. 11, offering visitors an immersive blend of history, fantasy, entertainment, artisans, and hands-on activities.
Vandalia Renaissance and Fantasy Faire (VRAFF) will be held at 155 Samuel L. Waggoner Memorial Drive in Olive Hill.
Joe Suttles, event organizer, said the name itself has a historical connection to the region.
According to Suttles, Vandalia was the proposed name for a 14th American colony that would have included much of what is now West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky and Southern Ohio, with Point Pleasant designated as its proposed capital.
He said the faire is designed to become an annual experience for the region and that visitors can expect far more than a marketplace.
Suttles said the faire will feature activities such as an artisan market, wandering musical bards, medieval armored combat, horseback jousting, archery, ax and knife throwing, ring toss, a giant slingshot, a giant chessboard, puppet shows, an alchemy science magic show, princess characters, jugglers, jesters, fairies, face painting, a petting zoo, swashbuckling pirates, dragon tamers, and interactive characters offering side quests.
He added that one of the faire’s unique educational components will be located at the “Royal Court Shrine Stage”, where Dr. Gerald Dyson of Kentucky Christian University will display authentic Medieval and Renaissance-era manuscript fragments from his collection on Friday and Saturday.
Suttles described Dyson as “our local Medieval Historian” who will also answer visitors’ questions about life during those periods.
The event’s tagline, “where history and fantasy intertwine,” speaks directly to the experience Suttles hopes to create.
“We use the phrase ‘where history and fantasy intertwine’ because it is just that,” he said. “As we are bringing history to life, we also bring lore and fantasy to the table because it is part of our shared collective history and tradition.”
For Suttles, the stories that have been passed down through generations are part of what makes events like this meaningful.
“Nearly every legend of old has a grain of truth to it,” he said. “Everyone loves a good heroic fantasy story like Robin Hood or King Arthur’s Camalot, or even Lord of the Rings and although they have fantastical events and creatures, they teach us valuable lessons about honor and helping the poor and downtrodden and fighting for truth and the greater good.”
Those stories, he said, can spark curiosity about history and give people an opportunity to experience another world firsthand.
“Getting to play in that world in real life is an unforgettable experience,” he said.
And he says visitors won’t need to worry about having the perfect costume before arriving.
While dressing in Renaissance or fantasy attire is strongly encouraged, costumes are not mandatory to attend. Suttles said Vandalia intentionally takes a more relaxed approach than events focused specifically on historical reenactment.
“You will see Ancient, Medieval, Renaissance, and Georgian era themes as well as fantasy creatures and magical folks,” Suttles said. “The public is encouraged to dress up, but it is not required.”
For those who do choose to dress up, he said the experience becomes even more immersive, not only for the person in costume, but for everyone around them.
Families will have plenty to explore throughout the weekend, from shopping and watching traditional tradespeople demonstrate their crafts to making crafts, playing games, hearing live music and visiting the Fairy Glen.
“Families can roam and shop the Market, get some food, watch a puppet show, pet adorable animals, get quests from interactive characters, play some fun games, and take pictures with hand painted photo ops they can cherish for years to come,” Suttles said.
The artisan market will also provide an opportunity for visitors to see traditional skills in action, including blacksmithing, pottery, chainmail, wool spinning, tablet weaving, arrowhead flintknapping, herbal apothecaries, and lavender steam distillation.
For Suttles and the Vandalia organizers, supporting those artisans is an important part of the event’s mission.
“They are the folks that keep traditions and skills alive,” he said. “Talented hands and minds should be celebrated and rewarded for their efforts at what they do. Handmade is the gold standard.”
The organizers’ passion for handmade work also comes with a strong stance on the importance of protecting human creativity.
“We take a stand with artists who work their hands to the bone, real talented folks whose livelihoods depend on their skills to create,” he said. “We discourage the rampant use of AI as it is theft of real artists' work.”
The idea for Vandalia grew out of a desire to bring the excitement of Renaissance faires closer to home for people throughout Eastern Kentucky and the surrounding region.
Olive Hill was selected as the event’s home because of the facilities available at the Carter County Shrine Club Showgrounds, as well as the organization’s connection to the community.
“The Shine Club has hosted Bluegrass Festivals and Horse Fun Shows for decades and now they are welcoming us with open arms and we couldn’t be happier to be there,” Suttles said.
Suttles is encouraging visitors to consider supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children while they’re there. The cause is particularly meaningful to his family, he said, because they have received assistance from the organization in the past.
He says the faire will offer a different experience each evening throughout the weekend.
Friday, Oct. 9, will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a VIP-only evening show from 7 to 9 p.m. featuring fire poi and belly dancing by Troupe Dagaz, along with drumming.
Saturday, Oct. 10, will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., followed by the VIP Epic Ring of Fire Battle and additional dancing and fire flow arts from 7 to 9 p.m.
VIP tickets are all-ages and cover both Friday and Saturday evening events.
Sunday, Oct. 11, will run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Royal Homecoming Ball will begin at 5 p.m. and continue until closing. Guests are encouraged to wear period or fantasy attire, or even their favorite homecoming or prom gown. The final joust and battles will also take place Sunday evening.
While there will be plenty of opportunities for education and historical exploration throughout the weekend, Suttles said the ultimate goal is much simpler.
“It is our hope that families and friendly folks walk away having learned some things, seen some might and magic, played some games, been silly and had some boisterous belly laughs,” he said.
He added, “We all surely do need it.”