The Central Coast Renaissance Festival returns to San Luis Obispo’s Laguna Lake Park on July 16th and 17th with over 500 costumed entertainers and four stages of live entertainment.

This marks the 32nd annual event for History Revisited, the local non-profit organization that produces the festival. Entertainment director Rick Smith of Cambria says that there are over 25 acts performing, including plays, comedy skits, juggling, singing, music, dance shows, storytelling, Shakespeare, acrobatics, a parrot act, and free flying falconry. “It is going to be a very musical festival this year,” Smith says. “We have half a dozen music acts along with some hilarious stage shows. We’re blessed with an even greater abundance of professional talent this year.”

“Each year we strive to do something different and more exciting than the last,” Smith continues. “This year we’re making Sunday ‘Pirate Day,’ and we’ll have a pirate ship where kids can come aboard and learn swashbuckling with balloon swords.” He adds, “We also have pony rides, a juggling school, fencing lessons, archery and a magic show just for kids.” Smith says there is also a daily costume contest for children.

Laguna Lake Park is a beautiful site between Cerro San Luis Obispo (Madonna Mountain) and Laguna Lake. The enchanting forest of pine and eucalyptus trees at the far end of the park is the setting for the village of Tilbury. Festival organizers will spend the week before the festival turning the forest into a village, complete with soaring watch towers, village walls, four stages, banners, shields and buildings to emulate a village in Renaissance England. Public parking this year is in front of the village, inside Laguna Lake Park.

The festival opens at 10 AM each day with a parade and ends at 6 PM with another parade. More information is available at CCRenFaire.com.