Tourists dressed in medieval garments are set to visit southeast New Brunswick this weekend for the inaugural Shediac Renaissance Faire. Both days of the event are completely sold out, with campgrounds and local accommodations fully booked. Andrew Barriault, hailing from just outside Corner Brook, N.L., secured a resale ticket for the festival after it sold out, but he is still without lodging.
Barriault mentioned that accommodations in town are scarce, jokingly saying he might have to sleep in his car while in costume. He quipped that if it were truly medieval times, sleeping outdoors wouldn’t be unusual. The Shediac Renaissance Faire, held over two days at the Neptune Drive-in for the first time, will feature a vendor marketplace, live performances, role-playing activities, workshops, and more.
According to Sébastien Després, the festival’s organizer from Shediac Wonderland, numerous individuals have reached out trying to secure tickets after they sold out. Després expressed surprise at the overwhelming response, stating that while they expected success, the actual turnout exceeded their projections. The concept was initially conceived during planning for the Bazar Neptune market at the drive-in, evolving into a full-scale Renaissance faire due to popular demand.
Després added that a significant portion of the attendees are from out of town. The decision to hold the event between le Quinzou and Dieppe’s YQM Country Fest aimed to maintain tourism momentum post-National Acadian Day. Michel Mallet, the park manager at Parlee Beach Provincial Park, noted the positive impact of the festival on tourism in the region, with the campground nearly at full capacity. He praised the event for bringing additional traffic and business to the area.
As Barriault embarks on his journey to Shediac for the fair, he looks forward to connecting with fellow enthusiasts over the weekend. He expressed enthusiasm for the growing acceptance of diverse hobbies and interests in today’s society, emphasizing the importance of community and self-expression.
