Every year, Renaissance enthusiasts gather in Hammond to celebrate the traditions of old.

The Louisiana Renaissance Festival will be returning to the Hammond area for its 20th year of operation from Nov. 2 until Dec. 8. More than 600 entertainers, artists, actors and demonstrators will assemble to recreate the spirit of the 16th century through the fictional Village of Albright, located a short distance north of Highway 190 in Hammond.

Throughout the course of the festival, attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of performances, buy handmade creations from one of the hundreds of vendors, eat food inspired by the period, listen to live music, and participate in acting workshops for a chance to be further immersed in the experience.

Buffy Baker, a junior elementary education major, attended the Louisiana Renaissance Festival in recent years and described her experience there.

“RenFest is basically a bunch of people who enjoy fantasy, history, sci-fi and all kinds of other stuff coming together and appreciating it all through shows, food, music, and camaraderie,” explained Baker. “My whole family has been going to the RenFest for years. So, now I associate it with my family spending quality time together. I also love all the different music and food there.”

Out of numerous shows and performances featured at RenFest, Baker feels that one show in particular stands out.

“My favorite activity is the ‘Robin Hood Presents…’ show,” said Baker. “They let children and adults be a part of their show, and I have basically grown up being in the show and enjoying it. I look forward to it every year.”

The Renaissance Festival has a wide variety of activities throughout its month of operation.

Grace Butzman, a senior communication major, has also attended the festival in the past and outlined what students can expect if they wish to attend.

“They have a schedule for each day of the festival listing the different shows and acts you can see,” described Butzman. “These acts include things like jousting, magic shows, juggling, comedy acts and more. They also have various foods and shopping booths that sell crafts and other Renaissance-related things that you can buy. These activities and events go on through the whole month of November.”

Butzman also described what she enjoyed about previous Renaissance fairs that she has attended.

“I liked that it actually felt like you went back in time to a Renaissance-era town,” said Butzman. “The people who are running the festival would dress and act like they lived during the time period of the Renaissance and would stay in character all day. They also had amazing types of food. My two favorites were the Greek food and frozen cheesecake.”

For students that have not been, Butzman recommended that this festival is something they should experience.

“I think that other students should go to experience the fun of it,” said Butzman. “Plus, it’s not far from Hammond. So, if you’re looking for something fun to do in the month of November, it’s a must.”

Tickets can be purchased online via larf.org.