Ohio Renaissance Festival opens this weekend
It may not seem like a logical progression – former software company owner turned Renaissance festival owner – but Dave Ashcraft sees similarities.
“I worked with a lot of bright, creative people on the software stage,” said Ashcraft, who is anxiously awaiting the start of his first season as owner of the Ohio Renaissance Festival, which will be open for the next eight weekends, beginning Saturday.
“That same creativity, I see a lot out here,” he said, referring to the artisans, performers, even the business model itself, at the “permanent village,” “authentically and historically re-created in the flavor of 16th Century England.”
Both are entrepreneurial, filling a unique niche, Ashcraft said.
He and his business partner Chuck Biehn are two guys, from around Dayton, in their 50s, who have business experience and enjoy a day of jousts, olde world humor, turkey legs, funny accents and theater in the mud.
Oh, and don’t forget an addition this year: story-telling mermaids.
So how did these two guys, and a third “passive” partner, come to buy the festival entering its 26th season?
Tennis.
Yep, Ashcraft and Biehn met on a tennis court and realized they had quite a bit in common.
When someone mentioned to Biehn that longtime owner Peter Carroll had plans to sell the festival property in Harveysburg, Ohio, and more than 100 acres of land adjacent to it (at least some of which is slated for single-family homes), the two decided to look into the idea.
“Once we got to know the staff, (their) level of dedication and energy is infectious,” said Biehn, who owns companies in manufacturing and distribution. “That was a big catalyst that made us want to be a part of it.”
They incorporated Brimstone and Fire LLC and closed on the sale of the property and festival in May, Ashcraft said.
There are several new features this year at the make-believe village of Willy Nilly on-the-Wash, including a new comedy show in the Royal Smoker at The Dirty Duchess bar and premium seats for $10 to view a jousting competition.
Ashcraft and Biehn said they’ve had more fun than they even imagined, like the time Ashcraft sat in on a meeting about the kissing wenches.
“Never expected to go home and tell my wife about that at the end of my day,” Ashcraft laughed.
Biehn said other members of his family are even getting involved. His daughters have rented a booth to sell fairy wings.
For all the details, visit www.renfestival.com.
Get thee to the faire
What: The Ohio Renaissance Festival
Thirty acres of games, food and entertainment, including sword, jousting, comedy and falconry shows, as well as more than 140 artisans and craft shops.
When: Saturdays and Sundays (and Labor Day) from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 5 to Oct. 25
Cost: Single-day ticket for adults are $21.95 and $9.95 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 get in free. Tickets are discounted online. Opening weekend adult tickets are buy one, get one free, and children under 12 also get in for free. There are other packages available online, including season passes for $119.95.