Renaissance Park Transforms into Yuletide Village for the Holiday Season
Many Ohioans from the Dayton area are familiar with Renaissance Park, whether from visiting the Renaissance Festival every fall or from the many billboards across the state. However, Renaissance Park is more than turkey legs and jousting; the park is also a place to celebrate winter spirit at its annual Yuletide Village. From Nov. 28 to Dec. 20, people from all over are invited to shop the market stalls for gifts, fill up on food and visit Santa, Mrs. Claus and Krampus.
Throughout early November, the crew at Renaissance Park transforms the village from the 16th-century village to the winter wonderland of the Yuletide Village. The Yuletide Village will take approximately half of the 30 acres used for the Ohio Renaissance Festival.
A particularly unique feature of the Yuletide Village is the lighting. As the days get shorter and winter approaches, it is important to light the way for village visitors, according to Cherly Bales, marketing director for Renaissance Park. At the Yuletide Market, however, the lighting is more than a guide, but an indicator of which section of the park a person is visiting.
At the front gate, visitors are greeted by warm white lighting. Travel to the right and the colorful lighting and decorations inspire holiday spirit. Wander to the left, and the red, orange and purple lights will lead to Krampus’s domain. “One of the most fascinating and amusing aspects to me when down by the front gate entry is that more parents ask where to find Krampus than Santa,” Bales says.
Similar to the Renaissance Festival, the Yuletide Village has a variety of colorful character actors. Visitors are encouraged to find Santa in his workshop and tell him a Christmas wish and get a photo. Meanwhile, Mrs. Claus can be found wandering around the village when she isn’t storytelling or participating in festive games. As for the fan-favorite Krampus, he can be found in his domain.
“Krampus and the Bad Boys of Yule like to hang out together. The Bad Boys of Yule are kind of like Krampus’s guardians, surrounding him and corralling the line of guests to his throne. Krampus does not speak, but his motions will let you know if you are on the naughty list,” Bales says.
When it comes to shopping, the market has a variety of booths and vendors to browse. Food, gifts for the family or gifts for oneself can be found throughout the village. Every year, the shops and vendors change and grow. This year, there will be a tented section of shops to keep shoppers warm while they shop the stalls. Also returning to the festival this year is the Yuletide Village souvenir shop. “There are always new, exciting food and beverage options during Yuletide. We’re bringing back our souvenir shop after a year’s hiatus,” Bales says.
The Yuletide Market offers visitors nine food vendors, over 50 stalls to shop from and many avenues of entertainment. Tickets start at $17. More information on their website.
10542 Ohio 73, Waynesville, OH. Nov. 28 – Dec. 20. Fridays, 5-9 p.m. Saturdays, 3-9 p.m.
