Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival brings magic, merriment to South Huntingdon

For about six weeks a year, Leechburg dentist Dr. Annette Merlino puts down her tools and picks up an English accent to peddle wares at the Pittsburgh Renaissance Festival.

“It’s so much fun,” she said while standing Sunday afternoon near the center of Morelandshire in South Huntingdon. “It’s like a family (with) the vendors, the cast and even the patrons. We get to know each other. See each other year after year. Some of our patrons now work for us at the booth. We look forward to seeing each other. Coming back here feels like a family reunion.”

Merlino and her husband, Thomas Felmley of Delmont, run Spoils of War/Versailles Jewelers. It features gem stones, silver, charms and chain mail trinkets made by Brandy Sinclair of Pittsburgh’s Bellvue neighborhood.

Merlino has been a part of the festival the past 16 years. It was canceled last year because of the pandemic. The last weekend is Oct. 9-10.

Scott Walton of Blairsville and Anne Rematt of Penn Hills rule over the kingdom as King Henry VIII and Queen Anne, respectively.

Both said they’ve noticed an increase in visitors this year.

Celtic Legacy rocks. pic.twitter.com/FkcEBD3iTB

— Mike D. (@MikeJdiVittorio) October 3, 2021

“It’s wonderful to see new faces and have people come through the gates and have a smile on their face and know that whenever they get here they’re going to be happy and forget about the outside world for a while,” Walton said.

The queen echoed his majesty’s thoughts and singled out what makes it worth all the time and preparation.

“Every day there is one or two particularly magical moments where we can see on someone’s face that we have made their day,” she said. “They are the people whose names we remember and whom we always greet when they come back.”

The king knighted many of the younger patrons, including Landon O’Brien, 7, of Claysville.

He was joined by his sister, Skylar, and parents Nicole and Patrick O’Brien. It was their first time at the festival.

“We’ve wanted to go for a couple years and just never made it out,” Patrick O’Brien said. “We found a weekend we could come. It worked out it was the Celtic one. We’re Irish, so it was perfect.”

Landon said his favorite part of the day was the joust. Skylar said she liked the parade.

Foods available include caramel or cinnamon coated nuts, sausage, sweets and a mighty turkey leg.

People can purchase chainmail armor, dresses, royal garb and accessories.

Blacksmith Ed Applebee making iron trinkets. #RenFest pic.twitter.com/INdy7HtmNA

— Mike D. (@MikeJdiVittorio) October 3, 2021

Interactive games include shooting crossbows, throwing knives and axes, a children’s maze and a haunted dungeon.

There are fire breathers, live music, including a guy playing 20-plus cast-iron bells, and a jousting tournament.

There are characters all around the fair grounds including Whimsy the Fairy who uses a net to magically make bubbles appear for children to pop.

One of the biggest draws is the Washing Well Wenches led by Fanny Pinch and Pearl Clearwater. It is a must-see for parents and adults.

The pair tell jokes and invite people on stage to play a game where participants run through the crowd and proclaim silly things like how strong they are in exchange for flowers to give to their significant others.

Ronnie Smith, 39, of Uniontown was among the volunteers Sunday afternoon.

“It was awesome and awkward at the same time,” he said. “They said, ‘Guys who love their wife or are romantic raise your hand.’ ”

One of his tasks was chasing Miss Pinch through the crowd. He received a red rose for his troubles. Smith was joined by his wife, L.J., daughter Rylo, 6, and son Roman, 12.

“That was the funniest thing that’s ever happened to us,” L.J. Smith said. “My face hurts. It’s fantastic. It’s outdoors. It’s great.”

The rose ended up in Rylo’s hands.

Royalty arrives for the joust. #renfest. pic.twitter.com/84bBhJcvmQ

— Mike D. (@MikeJdiVittorio) October 3, 2021

The final show of the evening is a championship joust. A cannon is fired at the closing of festivities.

The festival has taken place at the South Huntingdon farmland since 1999 and under current ownership, Rocky Mountain Festivals, since 2007.

About 300 to 400 people from several states, including the cast, entertainers, vendors and staff, come together to make the festival possible, said festival performance director James “Doc” Amor.

“There’s something here for everyone,” he said. “It is a magical place where everyone is made welcome. It is a place where you can set aside your cares and worries of everyday life and escape to a simpler time.”

Best festival guide ever. James “Doc” Amor. pic.twitter.com/V6IyqPXHvK

— Mike D. (@MikeJdiVittorio) October 3, 2021