Hail and well met, esteemed patron of the festival! We are absolutely thrilled to present this splendid weekend to the glorious Four States area! Prepare thyself to embark on an enchanting journey, as you join the quest to discover your own Renaissance! Be it a tasty treat, discovery of an amazing feat, or an awe-inspiring community meet!
SSRF is a wholly volunteer-run (yes, even the author of this newsletter!) 501(c)(3) organization. We rely solely upon grants, donations, and your patronage! We are passionately committed to nurturing our community with inspiration, hope, and an appreciation for the arts and history, all sprinkled with a hint of whimsy. With your ticket, you help us craft a brighter village each year! It is our heartfelt aspiration to break ground on a permanent site within the next three years. You are a significant part of this building processs! Thank you dearly! Gramercy friends, for your unwavering support!
What was our first year in Joplin like?
- Sixty-five extraordinary and unique vendors to enchant the senses - and growing
- Lady Visa, Master Card, and New World express accepted by most vendors!
- Nine stage performers to dazzle and delight the heart
- Five street performering groups to ignite the imagination and inspire wonder
- Four other noble nonprofits to uplift the spirit
- Royal Parade, Knights, Fairies, Lords and Ladies!
- Feats of grace, strengh, skill, and comedy all in one place!
- Dont forget the wee painters box to capture all that you see!
- Feats of grace, strengh, skill, and comedy all in one place!
Our tale commenced in the fateful year of 2018, when your present festival president, Jacque, alongside the spirited Mellisa, answered a call on Facebook in Scott City, KS, seeking volunteers with a passion for Renaissance Festivals. Thus, the SSRF took root, blossoming as a band of volunteers at a quaint community gathering in 2019. This inaugural festival featured two enchanting stage shows and five charming vendors! Since those humble beginnings, we have flourished and expanded.
In the year 2020, Mellisa and Jacque conjured the Silver Sage Renaissance Festival 501 C3, relocating its vibrant spirit to Garden City, Kansas. Yet, the shadows of Covid cast an unexpected challenge upon their noble vision. As Jacque donned her armor as a registered nurse in the Covid unit, she recognized a yearning for something far greater than mere revelry—a beacon of hope. The Renaissance, a cherished epoch of enlightenment, beckoned them to embody its essence. Why not craft a festival that ignites inspiration and hope within both heart and mind?
2021: The Year of "Dune Days."
In the wake of Covid, the festival was postponed until 2021, and complicating matters, Jacque who had become the powerhouse behind the event - had moved to Joplin, MO. A pivotal decision loomed for this band of dedicated volunteers: Should we cancel the event due to the relocation, or boldly forge ahead? And if we continue the festival does Jacque continue to manage it? And can she from Joplin Missouri?
It marked our inaugural year, and we gleaned a wealth of knowledge from this transformative experience!
It was hot.
It was Dry!
Horrendous Winds!
It was ROUGH!
It was as we lovely refer to this first year as “sand flies and sweat!”
But - that was the essence that crafted memories and nurtured friendships. Performers, volunteers, and vendors alike united to hold down booths in horrid winds! And from this challenging first year, the mission statement blossomed into its present form, and our mottos were born: “Without you - there can be no us.“ And “We are building a village!”