2022 - 34th Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival & Marketplace

The Queen and her Court continue a legacy of outdoor merriment for 9 weekends on February 5, through April 3th , 2022 (an extra weekend).

The Arizona Renaissance Faire held in Gold Canyon, Arizona is a 50 acre outside Circus, Amusement Park and Artisan Marketplace. Themed as a 16th century European styled Village called 'Fairhaven'. 

Attendees are immersed in a whimsical and historical setting featuring over 200 artisans and craft shops, 16 stages stages of live entertainment, music, comedy, jousting knights, human-powered rides, games of skill, and there are even escape rooms! 

There is ample food and drink of many variety to tease any royal palate. Try some mead with a giant turkey leg.

2022 Arizona Renaissance Festival Discount Coupon

Buy tickets online  - Children 4 and under are always free.

You can also SAVE $1 on tickets at Bashas' and Food City.

Parking is FREE courtesy of Bashas’ and Food City stores.

WHAT: 2022 Arizona Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace.

WHERE: Village of Fairhaven is located east of Apache Junction at 12601 East US Hwy 60.

WHEN: The Faire and Market Place are open from 10AM until 6PM for 9 weekends (Saturdays, Sundays, and Presidents’ Day Monday) from February 5th through April 3rd. The festival offers an opportunity to enjoy and explore the outdoor 16th Century village from 10 am to 6pm each event date. 

Open rain or shine. HUZZAH!

Cosplay welcome at the Faire; you are encouraged to come dressed in costume. Costume prop swords and daggers are permitted as long as they are properly sheathed, peace tied by the safety services personnel at the main entrance and remain sheathed during your Festival visit. Costumes also available for rent at the Belrose Costume Shop located near the entrance to the Festival. 

Enjoy one of the special themed weekends:

• February 5th & 6th – Opening Weekend
• February 12th & 13h – Romance/ Italian Age of Chivalry/ Carnevale Weekend
• February 19th, 20th & 21st – Royal Raucous Abounds Weekend
• February 26th & 27th – Time Travelers Weekend (Cosplay from any time period or genre)
• March 5th & 6th – Pirates & Brew Fest Weekend
• March 12th & 13th – Celtic Weekend & Artisan Appreciation
• March 19th & 20th – Wizards & Warlocks Weekend
• March 26th & 27th – Celebrating Theater Weekend
• April 2nd & 3rd – Fairytale Fynery Final Huzzah

For more information contact the Festival at 520-463-2600 or on the web at arizona.renfestinfo.com.

The festival’s open-air fairgrounds offer ample opportunity for social distancing within the 50-acre Village of Fairhaven. Guests are encouraged to stay socially distant from persons or groups they are not with. Frequent hand washing is encouraged, and hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the grounds.

. Contest: Win FREE Tickets (2 Adult, 2 child and a VIP Parking Pass) to the Arizona Renaissance Festival Rules to win: - Follow me - Tag 1 or more friends and use the hashtag #AZRenaissancePirateFest in your comment Optional: - Like this post - Share this post - Follow Arizona Renaissance Festival - Follow Krash Cosplay - Visit https://www.facebook.com/events/1848225982050957 to learn more about the Arizona Renaissance Festival Pirate Invasion & BrewFest Weekend! Winners will be announced 01/28/2022 #azrenfest #renaissancefestival #renaissancefaire #piratecosplay #piratefestival #piratefest #piratecosplayer

Posted by Travel, Attractions, Events and other Entertainment on Sunday, November 14, 2021

2021 Arizona Renaissance Festival Cancelled due to COVID-19

*** 2021, 33rd annual Arizona Renaissance Festival is Cancelled***

*** 2021, 33rd annual Arizona Renaissance Festival is Cancelled***

The 33rd annual Arizona Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace will open on February 6, 2021 with new guidelines in response to COVID-19. This includes new ticketing procedures, and heightened safety operations for its 50 acres of open air fairgrounds.

TICKETS: 

• For 2021, date specific tickets must be purchased Online in Advance: 
• Adults (ages 13 and over): $28 
• Children (ages 12 and under) will receive FREE admission at the gate, with no child ticket or coupon required this year, an $18 value courtesy of Fry’s Food and Drug Stores. 

*** 2021, 33rd annual Arizona Renaissance Festival is Cancelled***

The Queen and her Court continue a legacy with outdoor merriment for 9 weekends on February 6, through April 4th , 2021 (an extra weekend).

The Fair held in Gold Canyon, Arizona is a 50 acre outside Amusement Park and Artisan Marketplace, themed as a 16th century European styled Village called 'Fairhaven'. Attendees are immersed in a whimsical and historical setting featuring over 200 artisans shops, 14 stages stages of live entertainment, human-powered rides, games of skill, jousting knights, music and comedy. Also there is ample food and drink of many variety to tease any royal palate. 

For the 2021 festival, tickets will be limited quantity date-specific and must be purchased online in advance of arriving at the festival grounds. General admission tickets will NOT be available for purchase at the fairgrounds box office or traditional retail locations for the 2021 event. 

Free event parking and children ages 12 and under will receive FREE admission at the gate with no child ticket required this year, an $18 value, courtesy of Fry’s Food and Drug Stores. 

For 2021, the festival has new safety protocols and guidelines for its patrons, staff, artisans, and performers. The festival’s open-air fairgrounds offer ample opportunity for social distancing within the 50-acre Village of Fairhaven. Masks will be required of all festival visitors unless eating or drinking in one of the fairgrounds many designated socially distanced picnic areas. Guests are encouraged to stay socially distant from persons or groups they are not with. Frequent hand washing is encouraged, and hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the grounds. 

The festival offers an opportunity to enjoy and explore the outdoor 16th Century village for nine consecutive weekends including Presidents’ Day  from February 6 through April 4, from 10 am to 6pm each event date. 

For more information contact the Festival at 520-463-2600 or on the web at arizona.renfestinfo.com.

WHAT: 33rd Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace.

WHERE: Festival site is located east of Apache Junction at 12601 East US Hwy 60.

WHEN: The Festival runs from 10AM until 6PM for 9 weekends (Saturdays, Sundays, and Presidents’ Day Monday) from February 6 through April 4. 

Open rain or shine. HUZZAH!

*** 2021, 33rd annual Arizona Renaissance Festival is Cancelled***

Did you know? July 4th - American Independence

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Interesting Facts About Independence Day

Did you know?

John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American Independence. Adams would reportedly turn down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest.

On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted in favor of Lee’s resolution for independence in a near-unanimous vote. On that day, Adams wrote to his wife Abigail that July 2nd “will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival” and the celebration should include “Pomp and Parade…Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other.”

📜 Why We Celebrate July 4th – The Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, solidifying it as the recognized day of celebration.

🖊 Who Signed on July 4th? – Only John Hancock and Charles Thompson signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The majority of delegates signed it on August 2, 1776, with Thomas McKean signing as late as January 1777.

👨‍🎓 Who Didn’t Sign the Declaration? – Notably, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams—two of its biggest champions—did not sign the Constitution, as both were serving as U.S. diplomats at the time.

🦅 Other Founding Fathers – Key figures such as George Washington, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison are considered Founding Fathers but were not signers of the Declaration of Independence.

✍️ Who Wrote the Declaration? – Though Thomas Jefferson is credited as the primary author, the Continental Congress appointed five drafters: Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Jousting at the Arizona Renaissance Festival

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Experience the Thrill of Jousting at the Arizona Renaissance Festival!

📍 Location: Arizona Renaissance Festival, East of Apache Junction, AZ

📅 Event Dates: Saturdays, Sundays & Presidents’ Day – February through March
🕰️ Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, rain or shine

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🏆 Cheer for Your Champion in the Jousting Tournament!

Step into the Arena of Champions, a 5,000-seat jousting stadium, where knights in shining armor charge into battle on two tons of horse and steel. This action-packed jousting competition is held three times daily, showcasing bravery, skill, and medieval combat as knights clash for honor and glory!

🏇 Authentic Full-Contact Jousting – Witness knights on horseback colliding with powerful lances.
⚔️ Swordplay & Archery – Watch skilled warriors engage in traditional medieval combat.
👑 A Fight for the Lady’s Honor – Experience the drama and pageantry of a 16th-century tournament.

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🎭 Beyond the Joust – More Renaissance Festival Attractions!

After the jousting, explore the 30-acre medieval village packed with entertainment, food, and adventure!

🎤 14 Stages of Live Performances – Enjoy comedy, music, and medieval theater.
🧜‍♀️ Over 2,000 Costumed Characters – Meet royalty, jesters, rogues, and even living mermaids!
🛍️ 200+ Artisan Shops – Discover handmade crafts, swords, armor, and medieval attire.
🔑 Escape Room Challenges – Solve puzzles in mini escape rooms by Escape Rooms Mesa.

 

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🏹 The History of Jousting – A Medieval Sport of Honor & Warfare

Jousting, or "tilting," originated as a military training exercise for knights in the Middle Ages. What started as battlefield preparation evolved into a spectacular sporting event celebrated by royalty and noble families.

🔹 Origins in 1066 – The first recorded jousting tournaments took place after the Norman Conquest of England.
🔹 Royal Tournaments – By the 12th century, jousting became a formal competition, often held to celebrate royal weddings, peace treaties, or military victories.
🔹 The Rise of Jousting Armor – As jousting evolved, knights began wearing full plate armor, complete with helmets, breastplates, and colorful coats of arms.
🔹 Famous Royal Jousting Accidents –

• King Henry VIII of England suffered a severe leg injury during a jousting match in 1536.
• King Henry II of France was fatally injured in a jousting tournament in 1559 after a broken lance pierced his eye.

As the 15th and 16th centuries saw the rise of gunpowder warfare, jousting shifted from battlefield training to entertainment. It became a popular courtly sport, with tournaments often featuring choreographed battles, elaborate pageantry, and medieval feasting—much like the Arizona Renaissance Festival or Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament today!

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🔢 How Jousting Was Scored

Jousting wasn’t just about brute strength—it was a calculated game of skill and precision. Knights were awarded points based on their lance strikes:

✅ Full Knockdown – The highest score for unseating an opponent from their horse.
✅ Lance Break on Breastplate (Cuirass) – Awarded for a powerful, direct hit.
✅ Lance Strike with No Break – The lowest points, given for a glancing blow.
❌ Penalties – Points were deducted for striking the opponent’s horse.

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⚔️ Experience the Arizona Renaissance Festival!

If you love history, medieval battles, and immersive entertainment, the Arizona Renaissance Festival is a must-visit event! Whether you’re cheering for knights in the jousting tournament, shopping for unique artisan crafts, or feasting on giant turkey legs, this one-of-a-kind festival brings the spirit of the Renaissance to life!

🎟️ Get Your Tickets & Join the Adventure!

✅ Buy Tickets Online
✅ Discounts Available: Advanced tickets at Fry’s Food Stores

🔥 Are you ready to cheer for your knight? Gather your friends, don your medieval attire, and prepare for a thrilling day of adventure at the Arizona Renaissance Festival!

32nd Annual Arizona Renaissance Festival and Artisan Marketplace

Visit the 2020 Arizona Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace;

A 16th Century Medieval Amusement Park and Faire

The Arizona Renaissance Festival is an interactive entertainment event, where you will enjoy non-stop revelry in the streets and on 14 stages. The Faire is packed with comedy, music, mischievous antics, dancing, circus performers and jousting knight. Fun awaits you in this 16th Century, 30 Acre Village of Fairhaven!

You never know what is going to happen, when you mingle with the King & Queen, enjoy good-humored teasing with the Village Fool, or dance with the gypsies! Become a part of the action or relax as you roam the festival village and shops!

Location : Village of Fairhaven
Street Address : 12601 E. US-60, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118
Phone : (520) 463-2600

Start Date : 02/08/2020
End Date : 03/29/2020
Day of week : Every Saturday, Sunday and President's Day
Opening time : 10:00 AM
Closing time : 06:00 PM

Performer :

The Arizona Renaissance Festival has over 2000 costumed characters and 50 plus acts on 14 stages, including Jousting Knights, The Lynx Show, Living Mermaids, Zilch the Torysteller, Twig the Fairy, Don Juan and Miguel and The Ded Bob Show

The Arizona Renaissance Festival Marketplace has over 200 Unique Artisan Shops

Games & Rides for All Ages : The Arizona Renaissance Festival will again Feature mini escape rooms presented by Escape Rooms Mesa.

Over 15 Food Purveyors :

A huge food variety, including Feast of Fowl (Turkey Legs), Michelangelo’s Pizza, Friar's Fries, Italian food, Greek Food, Specialty Coffees, Bakery Delights and of course beer and mead.

Don't miss the deliciously entertaining Pleasure Feast. Reserve your seats today!

Admission Price :

Purchase discounted tickets in advance at Fry's Food Stores.
$26 for adults
$16.00 for children 5-12
under 5 always free

Buy Online and Save $1.00, no additional fees! - Use the discount code FBFANS and save $3!!!

Purchase admission tickets the day of the event at the Festival Box Office - Coupon
$28.00 for adults
$18.00 for children 5-12
under 5 always free

Military Discount Tickets at the Festival Box Office
$25.00 for seniors 60 and over
$25.00 for active and/or retired military personnel and their spouses.
$15.00 for child dependents ages 5-12 of active and/or retired military

Parking is FREE, courtesy of Fry's Food Stores.

Krampusnacht and The Christmas Legend of Krampus

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The Legend of Krampus – What Happens if You’re on Santa’s Naughty List? 🎄👹

While Santa Claus rewards good children with presents, the terrifying Krampus punishes the naughty ones. This ancient Germanic folklore has become a global holiday tradition, bringing a dark twist to Christmas celebrations.

If you've ever wondered who Krampus is, where the legend comes from, and what happens if you're on his naughty list, keep reading to discover the spine-chilling origins of Krampusnacht, the Alpine Christmas demon, and his role in holiday folklore.

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👹 Who is Krampus? The Christmas Demon of Folklore

Krampus, whose name comes from the Old High German word "krampen" (meaning "claw"), is a half-goat, half-demon figure that appears during the Christmas season to punish misbehaving children.

📖 Norse Mythology Origins
Krampus is believed to be the son of Hel, the goddess of the underworld in Norse mythology. He is linked to pagan winter traditions that pre-date Christianity, symbolizing the dark side of Christmas.

🎭 The Yin-Yang of Christmas: Krampus vs. St. Nicholas

• Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) brings sweets and gifts to good children.
• Krampus, on the other hand, beats, kidnaps, or terrifies naughty children.

This dark companion of Santa has been a part of Alpine folklore for centuries, blending pagan rituals with Christian holiday traditions.

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🎅 When Does Krampus Come? The Terrifying Krampusnacht (Krampus Night)

According to Germanic folklore, Krampus arrives on December 5th, known as Krampusnacht (Krampus Night).

🎃 What Happens on Krampusnacht?

• Krampus roams the streets, carrying bells and chains to terrify onlookers.
• He visits homes, leaving bundles of sticks for bad children.
• In some legends, he swats misbehaving kids or kidnaps them in a sack.

📅 The Next Day: St. Nicholas Day (December 6th)

• Children wake up to either a reward or punishment.
• Good kids receive candy and presents in their shoes.
• Naughty kids find coal, sticks, or even a warning from Krampus.

🎭 Krampus Parades & Festivals
Today, Krampus celebrations take place across Europe, especially in Austria, Germany, and the Alpine regions. People dress as Krampus and participate in wild, theatrical parades, keeping the scary Christmas tradition alive.

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🩸 Krampus' Punishments – What Happens if You’re on the Naughty List?

According to Krampus legend, misbehaving children may experience the following:

❌ Light Punishment:

• A bundle of sticks (called ruten) left by the fireplace as a warning.
• A lump of coal in their stocking instead of presents.

❌ Moderate Punishment:

• A gentle swat with birch branches as a reminder to behave next year.

❌ Severe Punishment:

• Abduction! Krampus throws naughty children into a sack and carries them to the underworld.
• Some stories claim he drowns, eats, or enslaves the worst offenders.

📢 Pro Tip: If you see Krampus approaching on December 5th, you better have been good this year!

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🔥 How Krampus Changed Over Time – From Horror to Holiday Tradition

Krampus was banned by the Catholic Church for many years because his appearance resembled the devil. However, he never disappeared completely, and in modern times, his legend has softened:

✔️ Krampus became a holiday character similar to "Elf on the Shelf" – instead of punishing kids, he reminds them to behave.
✔️ The lump of coal tradition replaced physical punishment as a way to warn children.
✔️ Krampus parades and Christmas markets now celebrate him as a fun, spooky part of the holiday season.

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🎭 Krampus in Pop Culture & Horror Movies

Krampus has gained popularity in modern media, appearing in movies, books, and TV shows:

🎬 Krampus (2015) – Horror Movie:

• This Christmas horror film follows a family haunted by Krampus after they lose the holiday spirit.
• The movie showcases Krampus’ terrifying presence, complete with his demonic minions and dark magic.

📺 Krampus in TV Shows & Cartoons:

• American Dad! – Krampus appears as a misunderstood anti-hero.
• The Venture Bros. – Features a comedic version of Krampus.
• Supernatural (Season 3, Ep. 8) – Krampus-like figures kill bad people at Christmas.

💀 Krampus-Themed Haunted Houses & Horror Attractions:

• Many haunted Christmas experiences now feature Krampus as a winter horror villain.
• Halloween Horror Nights and Scary Christmas events often include Krampus-themed mazes.

📢 Fun Fact: In some cultures, people send Krampus-themed Christmas cards called "Krampuskarten" to remind friends and family to stay off the naughty list.

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🎄 Naughty or Nice? Krampus vs. Santa Claus – The Ultimate Showdown

Trait	Santa Claus 🎅	Krampus 👹
Reward or Punish?	Rewards good kids 🎁	Punishes naughty kids 😱
Appearance	Jolly, round, red suit 🎅	Horned, furry, demonic face 😈
Personality	Kind & generous ❤️	Terrifying & vengeful 🔥
Symbolism	Christmas joy & generosity 🎄	Holiday fear & discipline 🩸
Arrival Date	December 6th (St. Nicholas Day)	December 5th (Krampusnacht)
Presents or Punishments?	Toys, candy, gifts 🎁	Coal, sticks, & possibly abduction 😨

🚨 Moral of the Story: Be good all year, or Krampus might come for you!

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📌 Final Thoughts – Is Krampus Just a Myth or a Warning?

The legend of Krampus reminds us that Christmas isn’t just about presents—it’s about behavior, tradition, and balance. Whether you believe in Krampus or not, his story has stood the test of time, evolving from a terrifying Christmas demon to a beloved holiday folklore icon.

🎭 Will you be celebrating Krampusnacht this year? Or are you hoping to stay on Santa’s nice list? Let us know in the comments! 👇🎅👹

The “first” Thanksgiving

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The True History of Thanksgiving & How It Became a National Holiday 🦃🍂

Thanksgiving is one of the most beloved American holidays, centered around family, gratitude, and a bountiful feast. But how did the “First Thanksgiving” come to be, and how has it evolved into the modern holiday we celebrate today?

This guide explores the origins of Thanksgiving, its historical significance, traditional foods, and even how Black Friday became a part of the holiday season.

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🍁 The First Thanksgiving – Myth vs. Reality

The idea of the “First Thanksgiving” as we know it today originates from a letter written by Edward Winslow, a leader of the Plymouth Colony.

📜 The Original 1621 Harvest Festival:

• The three-day feast was a celebration of survival after a harsh first year in the New World.
• The Pilgrims invited the Wampanoag people, who had helped them learn to farm and hunt.
• It was not a religious Thanksgiving, but rather a harvest festival to give thanks for a successful growing season.

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🥘 What Was on the Menu at the First Thanksgiving?

Unlike today’s Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce, the original feast looked quite different.

🍗 Likely Foods at the 1621 Thanksgiving Feast:
✔️ Wild Game: Venison (deer), duck, goose, and possibly wild turkey.
🐟 Seafood: Mussels, lobster, clams, and fish were abundant.
🌽 Native American Crops: Corn, squash, beans, and root vegetables.
🥧 Early Pies & Fruits: Meat pies, pumpkin, cranberries (without sugar), and apples.

🚨 Fun Fact: Mashed potatoes were not served because potatoes had not yet been introduced to New England!

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🦃 How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday

Despite the popularized 1621 feast, Thanksgiving was not an official holiday for over two centuries.

🏛️ Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation – Thanksgiving Becomes a Holiday (1863)

• President Abraham Lincoln officially declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.
• He set the date as the last Thursday of November to unify the nation during the Civil War.

📅 Franklin D. Roosevelt & the Date Change (1941)

• In 1941, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt officially moved Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November.
• This was done to extend the holiday shopping season at the request of retailers, giving rise to Black Friday traditions.

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🛍️ The Evolution of Black Friday – How It Became a Shopping Tradition

Black Friday has been associated with Thanksgiving since the 1930s, but it truly exploded in popularity in the 1980s and 1990s.

🛒 The Origins of Black Friday:

• Retailers coined the term "Black Friday" to describe the day after Thanksgiving when businesses would move "into the black" (profit) from holiday shopping sales.
• Today, Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, with retailers offering doorbuster sales, online discounts, and early holiday deals.
• Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving) emerged in the 2000s, focusing on online shopping deals.

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🥂 Modern Thanksgiving Traditions in the U.S.

Today, Thanksgiving is about more than just history—it’s a time for family, gratitude, and American traditions.

🏡 Popular Thanksgiving Traditions:

🦃 Thanksgiving Feast: A huge meal with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
🏈 Thanksgiving Football Games: Watching or playing football is a classic Thanksgiving pastime.
🎈 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: The annual New York City parade, featuring giant balloons, marching bands, and Santa Claus, started in 1924.
🙏 Giving Thanks: Families go around the table sharing what they are thankful for.

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📌 Final Thoughts – The Legacy of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has evolved from a 1621 harvest festival to a national holiday that celebrates family, gratitude, and generosity. While food and traditions may have changed, the spirit of Thanksgiving remains the same—a time to reflect on our blessings and come together with loved ones.

What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? Share your thoughts in the comments! 🍂🦃💛

 

Remember the 5th of November - Guy Fawkes day

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Remember, Remember the 5th of November

The History & Significance of Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night) 🎆🔥

"Remember, remember the 5th of November, the Gunpowder Treason and Plot."

Each year, on November 5th, the UK and other parts of the world celebrate Guy Fawkes Night (also known as Bonfire Night) with fireworks, bonfires, and the burning of Guy Fawkes effigies. But how did this tradition begin, and what’s the real story behind the Gunpowder Plot of 1605?

This guide explores the history, significance, and modern traditions of Guy Fawkes Night while uncovering the true story of Guy Fawkes and the failed attempt to assassinate King James I.

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📜 The Gunpowder Plot: A Failed Assassination Attempt

👑 King James I & Religious Tensions

When King James I took the throne on July 25, 1603, English Catholics hoped for religious tolerance after facing decades of persecution under Queen Elizabeth I. However, James refused to ease restrictions, leading to growing unrest.

💣 The Conspiracy – A Plan to Destroy Parliament

A group of 14 English Catholic conspirators, led by Robert Catesby, plotted to assassinate the king by blowing up the Houses of Parliament during the State Opening of Parliament. The goal was to replace James I with his Catholic daughter, Princess Elizabeth.

📩 The Anonymous Letter That Exposed the Plot

The plan began to unravel when an anonymous letter was sent to William Parker, Lord Monteagle, warning him to avoid Parliament on November 5th. Historians speculate that Francis Tresham, one of the conspirators, may have written the letter.

🔎 The Capture of Guy Fawkes – November 5, 1605

As a result of the letter, authorities searched Westminster Palace in the early hours of November 5, 1605. They found Guy Fawkes guarding 36 barrels of gunpowder hidden beneath the House of Lords.

🚨 What happened to the conspirators?

• Guy Fawkes was tortured for days before confessing to the plot.
• The conspirators were captured, tried for treason, and sentenced to death.
• Guy Fawkes avoided a gruesome execution by jumping from the gallows and breaking his neck. His body was still quartered, and his head placed on a spike at London Bridge.

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🔥 The Birth of Bonfire Night – Why Do We Celebrate Guy Fawkes Day?

When news of the failed Gunpowder Plot spread, Londoners lit bonfires to celebrate King James I’s survival. The tradition continued every year, and in 1606, the government passed the Observance of 5th November Act, officially declaring November 5th as a day of national thanksgiving.

🎆 How Guy Fawkes Night Is Celebrated Today

Bonfire Night is still widely celebrated across the UK with:
✔️ Fireworks displays symbolizing the gunpowder that never exploded.
✔️ Bonfires lit in town squares and gardens.
✔️ Burning of Guy Fawkes effigies as a symbolic execution.
✔️ Traditional foods like toffee apples, parkin cake, and roasted chestnuts.

🚨 Fun Fact: In Lewes, England, Bonfire Night is one of the largest fire festivals in the world, featuring elaborate processions and flaming torches.

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🎭 The Legacy of Guy Fawkes in Pop Culture

🕵️ The Guy Fawkes Mask & V for Vendetta

The iconic Guy Fawkes mask, popularized by Alan Moore’s graphic novel and the 2005 movie V for Vendetta, has become a symbol of rebellion and resistance. The mask is often associated with Anonymous, the Occupy Movement, and other activist groups.

📺 Guy Fawkes in Film & Literature

• 🎬 V for Vendetta (2005) – A dystopian film where the protagonist wears a Guy Fawkes mask to fight tyranny.
• 📖 Gunpowder (BBC, 2017) – A dramatized retelling of the Gunpowder Plot starring Kit Harington.
• 🎮 Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla – References to Guy Fawkes and medieval England’s political struggles.

🚨 Did You Know? The phrase "Penny for the Guy" comes from an old tradition where children would collect money to buy fireworks by displaying homemade Guy Fawkes effigies.

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📌 Final Thoughts – Why Guy Fawkes Night Still Matters

Though over 400 years have passed, the legacy of the Gunpowder Plot and Guy Fawkes Night continues to influence British culture, politics, and activism. Whether you see Guy Fawkes as a villain or a symbol of resistance, his story remains one of the most famous failed assassination attempts in history.

🔥 Will you be celebrating Bonfire Night this year? Let us know in the comments! 🎆🔥

Little known Thanksgiving and Harvest Festival Facts and History

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ta-end="157" data-start="76">📅 Thanksgiving: A Blend of Ancient Harvest Festivals & American Traditions

Thanksgiving is a rich blend of traditions from Native American, British, and Puritan influences, shaped over centuries into the modern holiday we celebrate today. The story of Thanksgiving begins long before the Pilgrims' feast in 1621, with earlier harvest festivals and religious observances playing a significant role.

🦃 The True History of Thanksgiving

The commonly told "First Thanksgiving" story dates back to 1621 in Plymouth Colony, but the real history is far more complex.

The Story of the 1621 Harvest Festival

• In 1614, English explorers captured and enslaved Patuxet Native Americans, leaving behind a smallpox outbreak that devastated the local population.
• When the Pilgrims arrived in 1620, the once-thriving Patuxet village was nearly empty, except for Squanto, the sole survivor.
• Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to grow crops and fish and negotiated a peace treaty between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Nation.
• In 1621, the Pilgrims and Wampanoag held a three-day harvest festival, which later inspired the modern Thanksgiving celebration.

❗ Did you know? The "First Thanksgiving" feast did NOT include mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, or pumpkin pie! Instead, the menu likely featured venison, seafood, corn, and seasonal vegetables.

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🦃 Other Claims to the First Thanksgiving

📍 1598: San Elizario, Texas – Spanish explorer Juan de Oñate held a Thanksgiving feast near El Paso after leading settlers across the desert.
📍 1619: Berkeley Plantation, Virginia – English settlers declared an annual day of thanks upon their arrival, two years before the Plymouth feast.
📍 1578: Canada’s First Thanksgiving – Explorer Martin Frobisher celebrated Thanksgiving in Newfoundland, decades before the Pilgrims.

👉 Thanksgiving has been observed in various ways long before 1621, making it a tradition rich in history beyond the Pilgrims' feast.

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🦃 The Evolution of Thanksgiving in America

1800s: The "First Thanksgiving" Narrative Takes Shape

• By the early 19th century, the 1621 harvest feast was revived as a symbol of American unity.
• Alexander Young popularized the idea of a "First Thanksgiving" based on Edward Winslow’s 1621 letter.

1863: Lincoln Declares Thanksgiving a National Holiday

• During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday, celebrated on the last Thursday of November.

1941: Franklin D. Roosevelt Sets Thanksgiving Date

• FDR moved Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November to extend the holiday shopping season during the Great Depression.

👉 Thanksgiving as we know it today is a mix of historical traditions, presidential proclamations, and cultural adaptations.

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🍽️ Thanksgiving Food Traditions – Then vs. Now

🥔 Mashed Potatoes – Not part of the 1621 meal (potatoes had yet to arrive in North America).
🦃 Turkey – Smaller than today's 20-pound birds, and may not have been served at all!
🍷 Cranberries – Used by Native Americans for dyes and medicine, but not in sauce form.
🥧 Pumpkin Pie – Based on a 1653 French recipe, not present at the 1621 harvest feast.
🥧 Pecan Pie & Sweet Potatoes – Introduced by the South in the late 19th century.

👉 Victorian-era traditions shaped modern Thanksgiving menus, introducing turkey and cranberry sauce!

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🦃 Fun Thanksgiving Facts You Might Not Know

📌 Thanksgiving Football Tradition – Began with a Yale vs. Princeton game in 1876.
📌 First Thanksgiving Day Parade – Gimbels Department Store in Philadelphia, 1920.
📌 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade (1924) – Second oldest parade, featuring giant balloons!
📌 Black Friday Origin – The day after Thanksgiving marks the official start of holiday shopping.
📌 Native American National Day of Mourning – Held on Thanksgiving Day to honor the tragic history of colonialism.

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🦃 Thanksgiving Around the World

🌎 Thanksgiving isn't just an American holiday! Many cultures have harvest celebrations:

🍁 Canada’s Thanksgiving (Since 1957) – Celebrated on the second Monday of October.
🎑 China’s Mid-Autumn Festival (Zhong Qiu) – A moon festival of gratitude.
🌾 India’s Onam Festival – A harvest celebration in Kerala.
🇬🇧 Britain’s Harvest Festival – Observed in September or October.

👉 Thanksgiving may have evolved differently across cultures, but the spirit of gratitude and feasting remains universal!

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🦃 Presidential Turkey Pardon Tradition

🐔 Did you know? The Presidential Turkey Pardon is often credited to Harry S. Truman, but John F. Kennedy was the first to "officially" pardon a turkey in 1963.

📌 Abraham Lincoln may have started the tradition when he spared his son’s pet turkey.

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🎉 Final Thoughts – The True Meaning of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has evolved from early harvest celebrations to a national holiday centered around family, food, and gratitude. While its origins are complex, the modern celebration reflects a blend of historical influences and new traditions.

🔥 As you gather around the table this Thanksgiving, take a moment to reflect on its rich history and diverse origins!