Fair owner has big plans for 2008

Ran on Monday, July 16, 2007

Fair owner has big plans for 2008

By Keighla Schmidt
Leader-Telegram staff

CHIPPEWA FALLS - Motorists on U.S. 53 Sunday probably didn't suspect the queen of Scotland was visiting the village of Doon Douglas just a few miles away.
The royal affair was part of the final day of this year's Wisconsin Renaissance Faire, a sort of time machine whisking visitors back to the year 1346.
The fair that ran five straight weekends this summer more than doubled its attendance from its first year in 2006. Over 20,000 people came this year to the fair.
The festival added 24 new buildings this year, for a total of 32, the grounds were landscaped and bathrooms with flush toilets were added.
For next year, Renaisaance Faire owner Shane McVey said he plans to build at least 12 more buildings and do more landscaping to make more room for vendors and performers.
McVey said he's attracting large crowds and good performers because the festivities are fun.
"Over 42 percent of our customers are from more than 60 miles away," McVey said.
The focus is on kids and families and presenting opportunities for fun for all people, he said.
Fair goer Therese Rabey said she enjoyed the demonstrations different shows.
Rabey travels with her daughter Andrea Lointson, from Knife River, a town north of Duluth, Minn., to renaissance fairs across the United States.
"We really like the arena (here); it's not on just a flat plane," Lointson said of the jousting field that's located in a valley.
A crew of about 250 people perform and make the authentic atmosphere possible, McVey said.
There is a mixture of national and local performers who are contracted to put on shows.
The Jugglenauts, from Eau Claire, are one of the local groups.
Wayne and Sandy Hanson's son, Torry Hanson, is one of the juggling performers.
"This year there is less juggling and more entertaining," Wayne Hanson said.
"The Jugglenauts are awesome," Sandy Hanson said. "They're a lot of fun."
Some vendors are seeing a success and signing on again for next year's festival.
Tom and Terry Evans of St. Paul sell hand-crafted leather goods at the fair.
"We sell just because we have leather and know it's a good venue for us," Terry Evans said.