Ely’s Renaissance Faire & Pumpkin Festival Returns to White Pine County this October
The 2024 event on October 19 features live combat, pumpkin festivities, and more
The Ely Lions Club, in partnership with White Pine County Tourism and Recreation, is excited to announce the return of its most anticipated annual event: the Ely Renaissance Faire & Pumpkin Festival. This year’s festivities will take place on October 19, 2024, at Broadbent Park.
The event will feature fan-favorite attractions, including the Idaho Armored Combat Team, who will compete in full historic-themed armor. Unlike choreographed performances, these brutal clashes involve fighters wielding swords, axes, and other medieval weapons while wearing more than 50 pounds of steel armor. Other popular attractions returning this year include Wasatch Forge’s skilled blacksmith demonstrations, mystical fortune-telling by Janet VanCamp, a 10-minute adaptation of Julius Caesar by Ely Children’s Community Theater, REACH Utah’s pumpkin-flinging siege weaponry, and more. Attendees are encouraged to dress in themed attire, with a medieval cosplay contest offering prizes for the best costumes.
New for 2024, the event will feature live music by Finch & the Magpies, a trio known for performing traditional Irish tunes and folk music. The Riders of Avalon, an equestrian team, will also make their debut, showcasing medieval skills such as archery, spear throwing, and jousting—all on horseback. Additionally, the Yerington Fire Department bagpipers are expected to perform traditional Highland music.
For over a decade, the Ely Lions Club has hosted pumpkin-themed festivities, and this year’s festival will offer carnival games and prizes, dancing, a pumpkin patch, face painting, a pumpkin drop from JW Electric’s bucket truck, and the long-running Feats of Strength pumpkin-throwing contest. Bounce houses will be available to entertain children, and Bristlecone Animal Aid Rescue and Express will hold a pet costume contest for our four-legged friends.
A variety of vendors will be on-site, offering an array of goods, including toys, candles, soaps, jewelry, stained glass, décor, leather goods, and more. Food vendors will be serving up an assortment of treats such as pizza, tacos, burgers, corn dogs, cookies, frozen yogurt, scones, and more.
Due to the overwhelming success of last year’s event, with record attendance, entertainers, and vendors, the festival has moved to Broadbent Park for 2024. The new location will allow for additional space for merriment, more vendors, and improved bleacher seating for better views of the combat and equestrian displays.
This year’s event is proudly sponsored by White Pine County Tourism and Recreation, Spring Valley Wind (Pattern Energy), KGHM Robinson Nevada Mining, Calibre Mining, Kinross Gold, and the Ely Lions Club.
For more information and photos, please visit www.facebook.com/ElyRenFaire.
About Visit White Pine County
Immerse yourself in the captivating allure of White Pine County, centered around the remote mountain town of Ely, positioned on the eastern edge of “Nevada’s Loneliest Highway.” With a population of 4,000, Ely seamlessly integrates history, art, and outdoor adventure. Explore the wonders of the nearby Great Basin National Park, featuring the Lehman Cave system and the majestic Wheeler Peak. Wander through Ely’s downtown on the 11-block art walk, adorned with over 20 murals and sculptures depicting the town’s rich history. Don’t miss the Nevada Northern Railway, a National Historic Landmark showcasing the town’s rail heritage. Plan your visit to White Pine County at elynevada.net and discover the hidden gems that await in this destination.