Minnesota Renaissance Festival back on without COVID restrictions

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is back and celebrating its 50th year as some events change up their requirements due to the pandemic.

Roughly 300,000 people pass through the festival in Shakopee each year, and even with coronavirus concerns, organizers said ticket sales look good this year.

Thousands stepped into a time capsule traveling back through centuries to the Renaissance.

“You definitely experience a whole shift in reality for a second,” a patron said. “It’s definitely like turning back the clock.”

Festival-goers said it’s a blast from the past that allows them to take a break from the present.

“COVID always has kind of a fog over everything,” another patron said.

Organizers said COVID-19 protection is up to patrons.

Masks are not required at the festival. If you are not vaccinated against COVID-19, organizers recommend patrons wear a mask and socially distance.

Artisans and performers came back to the 17th-century village ready to pick up where they left off.

Some said COVID-19 was not a concern.

“We’re not really worried about it at the moment. We just want to get through today,” a performer said. “We are outside. We are fully vaccinated. We are in our pod remaining safe.”

The long-standing tradition is back on center stage after a year. Performers said they’re happy to be back.

If patrons don’t feel comfortable coming out this year, organizers said tickets will be honored in 2022.

The festival runs on weekends through Oct. 3.