Kimberly Larkspur is a classically-trained-musician-turned-dancer with a degree in Music Education and History and a well-honed sense of delight in the absurd that led them quite naturally to a life spent sharing and exploring many facets of art both onstage and in the studio.         Kimberly runs Dauntless Dance and Movement studio in Houston, TX, where they indulge in an absolute passion for pedagogy and will be joining us dancing amidst a whirl of silk, flashing blades, and bubbling humor accompanied by the sounds of some of the finest musicians in the realm.

Miranda Gibbs has been acting since middle school and has spent the last 6 years performing at Renaissance faires, where she specializes in improv, character work, and bringing a bit of well-timed chaos to the lane. Along the way, she has earned several certifications through the Society of American Fight Directors, taught courtly dance for 4 years, and spent the last 3 years directing both adults and children in theatrical productions. Currently, Miranda works as the Site Manager for Hynafol, a live action roleplay experience, where she helps bring immersive stories and adventures to life. She will also be serving as Stage Director, bringing stories to the stage and helping performers shine. Miranda will be teaching courtly dancing in a fun, beginner-friendly way,

Master Bowyer Weylin Olive of Swiftwood Bows is a fulltime bowyer residing in Winston-Salem, NC with his wife and two children. There he builds bows, and teaches bow building classes in his workshop. Weylin specializes in self bows made from single staves of split wood, typically Osage orange and Pacific yew. How to build an English Longbow with Master Bowyer Weylin Olive.

2 shows a day Sat and Sunday, times TBD

Bows of The World hosted by Robinhood himself. Robin of Locksley will take you on a tour of historic bows used around the globe, and the stories associated with archery legends. This will be the introduction to the Royal Open Tournament. A tournament held twice daily and open to any archer in attendance, with a traditional bow.

2 shows a day times TBD

Long before North American hunters started shaking cameras at blurry brown shapes in the Pacific Northwest, medieval Europe had its own original, thick-furred forest dweller: the Wodewose (or Woodwose).

If you look at old illuminated manuscripts, page margins, or architectural stone carvings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, you’ll find him. He's literally Europe's proto-Bigfoot, but with a highly specific, complex place in the medieval mind.

Mary Cherry is an explorer at heart of both inner and outer worlds and bridges those worlds through her musical expression.

She has spent lifetimes honing skills as a multi-instrumentalist capable of coloring the world through singing, percussion, bass, saxophone and ukulele.

When adventure calls, Mary will be there to share her provocative rhythms, tantalizing melodies, and unadulterated silliness.

In 2026, she teamed up with Kimberly Larkspur and Paco to become the Contessa of Cadence and is excited to take her adventures to The WNC Renaissance Faire.

​John is a recovering professional educator, having spent almost 2 decades teaching ancient and medieval history, literature, and languages. Along the way he has also been a first responder, professional jouster (for about a month- that was plenty!), sword teacher, and horseback archery instructor. Currently, John works as a professional leather artist as well as teaching and performing demonstrations of mounted archery and mounted combat. John will be serving as our Entertainment Director, and playing the role of the villainous but handsome, charming, cultured, unfailingly modest, and above all, misunderstood, Sheriff of Nottingham.

Based in Asheville, NC, Kit Rashid brings a lifetime of experience as a performer, teacher, and competitor on the Highland bagpipe.

He performs as a professional-grade soloist with the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association and serves as a band member and instructor with the Grandfather Mountain Highlanders, the host band of the renowned Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.

For more than 30 years, Kit has shared the timeless music of the Highlands at weddings, Kirkin' o' the Tartans, college commencements, sporting events, and countless other celebrations.

His passion is simple: to share the music he loves in a way that is welcoming, memorable, and inspiring for everyone who hears it.

Troy is a toolmaker by trade, but has been doing traditional archery for a little over a decade. He has competed in a number of different archery disciplines including; recurve, longbow, and asiatic/horsebow. He holds state titles and records with longbow and traditional recurve. He has placed in national tournaments with traditional recurve and horsebow, and holds national records with horsebow. Troy will be playing the role of Little John and will be helping with the Royal Open Archery tournament.

The World's Second Greatest Magician! Come join the party with this Chaotic Neutral Warlock as he demonstrates skills of illusion, enchantment, and even a bit of evocation. Watch out, he is also known for throwing knives, doing tricks with whips, and shouting “Set it on Fire!”

Come see the Pyrojuggler Thomas Wood.  There will be skill, danger, laughter, balls, blades, and fire!  There are indeed multiple versions of the show.  Sometimes he's juggling machetes over his face while cracking jokes.   Other times he's lighting himself on fire, also while joking. Occasionally he survives.

A man of many hats and even more strings, Paco is a musician known throughout the lands for his prowess on the guitar, and his voice that will bring grown men to tears. Whether he is performing at an intimate pub or an outdoor stage you are guaranteed to be entertained by this marvelous minstrel.

Bug the Fae is a silly, enigmatic being who loves to dance, joke, and play! You might see Bug buzzing around, telling tales of bugs before, using ancient stickbug magicks, or stamping their signature Bugograph.

Bug will be traveling this realm with Bug’s Book of Bugs and may even send you on a wild bug chase you’ll not soon forget.

ChamrsDeluxe is a medieval/fantasy cosplay creator and Twitch streamer known for unique, film-quality armor, costumes and primary character "Sir Astor, Knight of The Dark Moon" inspired by Elden Ring and other media in the fantasy genre. Sir Astor, while he appearing as a serious brooding Knight, is actually a jovial fellow who enjoys cracking sarcastic jokes and interacting with faire goers and hunting dragons!

Meet Acorn Lief, a curious fairy who has wandered into the human realm for a little adventure! She’s excited to meet new friends and explore all that the WNC Renaissance Faire has to offer. You can find her fluttering around the lanes of WNC both Saturday and Sunday, stopping to interact with guests, chat with new friends, and pose for pictures. If you spot her, come say hello and grab a photo with Acorn!

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