Hear ye, hear ye: All invited to Franklin Renaissance Faire

FRANKLIN — The electronic timekeeper on the Franklin Renaissance Faire’s website is counting down the minutes left until this weekend’s event, and with each passing minute, the fun — including a vendor fair, food and drink trucks, and performers — gets that much closer.

The “rebirthed” event is slated to take place from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 6, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, at Odell Park, and boasts all of the legends and lore from the 15th and 16th centuries.

“This year will be bigger and better than ever,” said Myla Everett, who’s bringing the event back to life with the help of the Franklin Falls Rotary Club. “We have over 30 vendors. We have six entertainers.”

Entertainment includes performances by Phoenix Swords and magician Michael OJ, to name a few. And special fun for all will be the LED hula hoop show by LaLoopna Hoops on Saturday night. While this year's event won’t feature fire-related showcases, it will still be a blast for all.

“Phoenix Swords will be doing a regular show, just without fire,” she said. “It’s coming together and it’s really exciting.”

A family area, hosted by Franklin Savings Bank, includes all sorts of activities for kids of any age.

“My granddaughter does a magnificent job putting it all together,” Everett said.

For her, bringing the fun to the community is her favorite part of the planning process.

“To me, it’s to benefit the community,” Everett said. “I love my entertainers, I’m delighted with my vendors, the family area is outstanding. My sponsors; I couldn’t do it without them. I couldn’t pick just one. Not to mention, all my volunteers that are here for us.”

The Franklin native knew charging an affordable admission to a “super” event would help raise funds for the community. She plans to donate all of the proceeds around the city, and will make a formal announcement at the Monday, Sept. 8 Franklin City Council meeting highlighting the final amount.

“What we’ve tried to do is to make it affordable to come and have a good time,” Everett said.

Hosting a fair is Everett’s dream. After falling in love with the atmosphere of renaissance faires, she pursued it.

“I decided that this will be my legacy to Franklin,” Everett said.

To help solidify that, the City of Franklin issued an official proclamation in 2024 designating Renaissance Faire Weekend to reoccur the weekend after Labor Day each year. It states: “A Proclamation relating to Renaissance Faire Weekend, in Franklin, New Hampshire, in keeping with our city’s efforts to recreate the culture, arts and activities of the European Renaissance period while fostering community among our residents.”

For more information on the event, visit facebook.com/Franklin-Renaissance-Faire-100041306901965.