Chivalry, Romance, and a Rollicking Good Time Await at The Summerville Mini Renaissance Festival Saturday Followed by Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner at The Depot Sunday As Part Of Steam Into Summerville Railroad Days

Chivalry, Romance, and a Rollicking Good Time Await at The Summerville Mini Renaissance Festival Saturday Followed by Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner at The Depot Sunday As Part Of Steam Into Summerville Railroad Days

Royalty, fairies, pirates, knights, artisans, and merrymakers of all kinds will gather at J.R. “Dick” Dowdy Park on Saturday, October 10, for the annual Summerville Mini Renaissance Festival. This free community event will transport visitors back to the Renaissance period with a day filled with pageantry, entertainment, adventure, shopping, games, and plenty of old-fashioned fun.

Festivities will begin at 11:00 a.m. with an official welcome from Queen Vashti, the King, and the Royal Court of Performers. United Community Bank is the official sponsor for the 2026 Renaissance Festival performances. Merriment will continue throughout the day until 5:00 p.m. The festival will be held rain or shine.

The pageantry, artistry, music, and excitement of a traditional Renaissance Faire will be on full display as Renaissance performers from Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama take the stage at various locations throughout the festival grounds. Visitors are encouraged to dress in their favorite Renaissance, fantasy, or period-inspired costumes to add even more fun and excitement to the experience.

Representing the period from approximately 1300–1600, the festival will offer something for guests of all ages. Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy live entertainment, Renaissance music, belly dancing, archery, games, shopping, artisans, interactive activities, and a feast fit for royalty. Festival-goers are encouraged to show their appreciation for the performers by tipping the entertainers.

Special Children’s Experiences

Young lords and ladies will have the opportunity to take part in special, private interactive experiences with members of the Royal Court and Fairy Realm.

Ticketed activities include a Knighting Ceremony with the King at 12:00 p.m. and Tea and Fun Time with the Fairy Grandmother at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 per participant and may be purchased in advance at the Summerville Main Street Office, 10034 Commerce Street, or on the day of the festival at the Summerville Main Street Information Booth. Space is limited to 15 participants for each private Meet & Greet experience.

Additional children’s activities will be available throughout the festival, including stick horse races, face painting, games, and more.

Adding to the day’s excitement, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Steam Engine Passenger Train is scheduled to arrive in Summerville, with the historic Summerville Turntable being worked around 1:00 p.m.

Embark on a Renaissance Quest

Those looking for an extra adventure can embark on one of four special Renaissance Festival Quests. These interactive adventures encourage participants to solve riddles, interact with costumed characters, complete challenges, and uncover clues as they work toward a special goal.

This year’s quests include Quest #1, Receive a Blessing from the King & Queen; Quest #2, The Stolen Crown Jewels; Quest #3, The Fallen Stars; and Quest #4, Faye Willowwhisper’s Fairy Quest.

Quest information, instructions, and times will be available at the Summerville Main Street Information Booth.

No Renaissance Festival would be complete without hearty food, and festival-goers will have plenty of choices to tempt their taste buds. Traditional Renaissance favorites, including turkey legs and meat on a stick, will be available along with other delicious food offerings.

A multitude of artisans and crafters will also be on hand offering unique, handcrafted merchandise and specialty services. Visitors can browse one-of-a-kind creations while enjoying activities such as on-site massages, photo booths, interactive foam sword fighting, face painting, and more.

With colorful costumes, characters, entertainment, vendors, activities, and the historic Summerville Depot and Turntable nearby, there will be endless photo opportunities and plenty of fun for visitors of all ages.

To bring the day’s festivities to a grand finale, festival entertainers will join together for a traditional “Pub Sing” from 4:00–4:30 p.m., providing one final round of music, laughter, and merriment before the kingdom closes for the day.

Admission to the Summerville Mini Renaissance Festival is free, and the event will be held rain or shine.

Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner At The Depot

Sunday, October 11 the public can enjoy an “Old Fashioned Sunday Dinner” and live music inside the Historic Summerville Depot. This special meal will be served by Sheila Stewart at the cost of $10.00 for a meat and 2 vegetables plate, a 1 meat and 3 vegetables plate at the cost of $12, or $9 for a 4-vegetable plate. The Sunday Dinner menu will consist of fried chicken, baked ham, dressing with gravy, green beans, creamed corn, pinto beans, potato salad, and cornbread or roll. Desserts available for purchase will include red velvet cake, chocolate cake, or homemade banana pudding. Tea and water will also be available for purchase. Cash, checks or Cash App will be accepted forms of payment to purchase meals.

An arrival of the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum Passenger Train is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. and a turning of the Summerville Turntable will also be featured. Old Fashioned Sunday At The Depot hours are 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and is free for the public to attend.

For more information on these events, visit the City of Summerville Georgia Facebook page.