We’ve been visiting the Colorado Renaissance Festival for many, many years. In fact, my husband’s been visiting the realm since he was just a kid. It’s one of our favorite summer excursions. At the end of the day we’re hot, covered in dust and turkey leg grease, but we’re happy.
Colorado Renaissance Festival is an outstanding production and I’ve pointed to this fest as an example that should be followed by other organizations wishing to put together a top notch event. It’s got it all; a well-planned layout, ambiance galore and authenticity. Okay, they aren’t real castles, but it’s as close as you’re get here in Colorado.
Now I know that most of you aren’t going to read any of this… you’re are just going to scroll down to the bottom of the post to figure out how to enter the contest, so I decided to share a bunch of pictures from our escapades at last year’s Colorado Renaissance Festival before telling you how to enter. 🙂
If you like castles and fairies, this is the festival for you.
Do not give this guy your shoe. You’ve been warned.
There’s this game called Tomato Justice & you should totally play. 🙂
Bring spending money! Nice guys like this one would love to sell you something awesome.
Be prepared to people watch. The Colorado Renaissance Festival is my favorite spot for people watching in Colorado.
Case in point.
Eating a turkey leg is mandatory at Colorado Renaissance Festival. Okay, not mandatory, but a very good idea.
You are never too old to swing.
But you are probably too old for this.
Ponies are for sissies. Ride a llama!
Little boys love swordplay.
Big boys like swordplay too. 🙂
It is entirely possible that you will run across a wizard having a conversation with a fairy over a cigarette at the Colorado Renaissance Festival.
You may be struck by the intense desire to dance, so you should dance.
Your stroll may be interrupted by a parade of royals. Feel free to take a knee or complain about taxes.
You will discover that fairies are real.
Okay. I’ll stop posting photos now and let you enter the contest.
You must answer this question in the comment section below: If you had a castle, where would it be located?
One winner will be chosen to receive FOUR tickets to the Colorado Renaissance Festival (admission is free for children 5 & under). I will choose the lucky winner using Random.org on Monday, June 16, 2014 at NOON.
Please leave an email that you check frequently! The winner will have 48 hours to respond or the runner up will be contacted.
Huzzah for a great giveaway here on HeidiTown and GOOD LUCK!
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My Castle wold be located in Rocky Mountain national Park
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My castles would all be on the hogbacks facing the front range as I view and rule my domain with an iron fist! Bwahahahaha!
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If I had a castle where would it be? Anywhere my family is.
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Mine would be located in Breckenridge. I have never loved a town so much. A castle would be the icing on the cake for it!
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My castle would be located upon Horsetooth Rock overlooking the Horsetooth Reservoir and my minions who live below in the town of Fort Collins.
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My castle would be on Mariana Butte in Loveland with a great view of the mountains and the plains. I can enjoy my surroundings and watch for enemies.
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My castle would be located near Horsetooth Reservoir in place of one of the marina locations. Not only would I have my own private lake that I would graciously share with the Fort Collins residents, but I would be nestled in the foothills for defense against enemies! 🙂 plus I could go swimming and boating and even kayaking every day!
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My castle would be in Loveland on the lake!
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My castle would be in Durango. Fabulous town, people, and has breathtaking views!
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My castle would be in Rocky Mountain National Park. Maybe not the most original answer but I’m a newbie to CO so it still impresses me!
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If I had a castle, I would build it in Ireland. Castles should definitely overlook water and fields of sheep. I’m pretty sure that’s a rule….
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My first choice would be Tuscany but the Rocky Mountains would be second.
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My castle would be on top of Castle Rock (conveniently located to make travel to the Renaissance Festival easy.)
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Ireland!!! For me, a castle in Ireland sounds perfect!
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Have to be on the west coast of Ireland, somewhere in the Cashel region. Always dreamed of going back there to live after we spent our honeymoon there! A close second would somewhere around Carbondale/Aspen/Basalt area.
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My castle would be in Gunnison since that is where I am going to go to college. Go mountaineers!
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My castle would be in Colorado. I don’t get to visit nearly enough! I could really use a castle there!
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My castle would be somewhere in the mountains and difficult to get to. 🙂
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My castle would be located in the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Beautiful!
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Somewhere on the Rocky mountains of Colorado away from the city.
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My castle would be in space, so I could travel to and explore exotic worlds from the comfort of my own fortification!
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My castle would be located in NYC
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My castle would overlook Grand Lake.
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My castle would be on my grandmas property in Kremmling, Colorado!
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My castle would be located on the beach with towering mountains behind it.
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My castle would be in the flat irons of Colorado
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Mine would be in Germany somewhere in the Alps.
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I would have to say Las Vegas…. That way I can charge admission to pay for it!! Wait, there’s already one here….
Ok then, how about Haslach im Kinzigtal, Germany.
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I would like a castle in the sky…
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My castle would be atop Valmont Butte in Boulder. And since I’m clearly rich enough to afford a castle in this scenario, that means I would also have money to clean up the contamination properly and restore the surrounding lands to forest. And rebuild a space for Native people to hold rituals. Oh, and build a moat. Then I’d breed dragons in my castle.
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My castle would be to relive the time when there was a spectacular ice castle in Leadville, Colorado. Back in the late 1800s, Leadville was “the place” to live. I explain to my students what it must have been like to be there and live during those “Boom or Bust” years, but I really wish I could recreate it! I’m so curious how it was built and how it lasted for as long as it did!
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I’d build my castle on Meridian Lake in Crested Butte. I love Ireland but give me Colorado weather. 🙂
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I would build my castle in the San Juan islands
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Already have a castle- Crookston Castle in Scotland! ^_^
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In the Poudre Canyon.
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Ireland already has a bunch of castles, but I’d still build another one there.
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In Ireland! Because I’m Irish!
Gotta settle with my peoples.
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My castle would be nestled against the Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction.
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I too love the colorado Renaissance Festival! You did an excellent job capturing some of my favorite things about the Festival as well. Great pixs! If I had a castle it would be in Colorado and too be honest Larksburg is a perfect place tucked away for a castle, however I am partial to Grand Lake Colorado! so Grand Lake it is!
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My backyard, obviously. The pictures are fabulous!
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My castle would be in Paris! 😉 I am a Colorado Native and I have NEVER been to the Renaissance Festival.
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If I had a castle it would doth be located on a moat to best protecteth my most valuable of valuables – mine family – heretofore known as the royal of royalest families of all the land as thine knows it. Hark, the princess calleth to me. (and should thou fail to bestow upon the royal family, the saideth tickets, I will place a curse upon thine head of red that so resembleth the head of red that I, the queen, doth possess).
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My castle would be in Scotland.
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I would build a castle atop of Silbury Hill, just outside of Avebury, Wiltshire, UK.
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I’d have to build my castle near Steamboat Springs. Beautiful town, amazing views, and close access to the hot springs!
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Like all of my other castles, I would build it in the sky (preferably on cloud 9), where all of my friends, the Pegasus(es), the angels, the good dragons, and winged fairy-folk live. Oh, and I’d let all of my friends live there, too, if they like.
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My castle would be located somewhere in the Black Forest and would be open to all my family and friends.
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My castle would be in a place like Dracula’s
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Definitely Ireland! I’ve never been but would like to have my castle there and bring the family… especially the grand babies where our castle would give them enough room and opportunity to hide from their parents when their being mean!
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Ok seriously you were right I scrolled to just look at the photos! Have not been to the CORF since I was a little girl (25 years maybe?) would love to take my kids. I don’t need a castle I am pretty content where I am at 🙂
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Mine would be here in Colorado
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Bora Bora!
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My most luxurious castle would put in place of the Stanley hotel in Estes. Looking down on the townsfolk and enjoying the view of the Rockies.
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I would like my castle to be close enough to get to in two to three hours, but remote enough to not smell smog, or deal with traffic!
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My castle would be on my own mountain right next to a great lake with fish!
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It would be at the heart of Medieval World in Northern Colorado. Far enough from the hectic traffic and smog, yet close enough for all to enjoy. The castle would be the center piece of an entire medieval trade village (community). A complete living history (assembled heritage landscape) site. A complete permanent assembled heritage landscape dedicated to re-creation of the 12th century, the Middle Ages and early renaissance periods spanning the 3rd through the 14th centuries. Historically accurate and authentically replicated in every detail. A living history legacy to pass-on for generations to come. Yes, that is where I would build a castle.
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My caste would be located on Hasting Mesa. Then I could see all of the peak of Telluride and the mesas.
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On the Poudre River in the Canyon.
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Right smack dab in the middle of London…oh wait, I guesss I should just take over the Tower of London. That’ll work.
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My castle would be on an ocean somewhere.
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My castle would be in Greece, I have always wanted to do there.
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If I had a castle it would be located in Brazil. It’s a place that is on my bucket list to visit and it’s just a beautiful place. Right in the heart of Rio De Janerio.
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My castle would be on the highest mountain in Colorado far away from people.Colorado is a very beautiful state but some of the people are not. Where my children can run among the tallest trees. Without nasty people telling the are being too loud outside! In their own backyard! Where we can grow our own veggies and have a bunch of cows and little pigs.:-)
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My castle would be on Turks and Caicos on the beach.
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Red feather lakes!
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I’ve already got my dream castle in Lovely Loveland!
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My castle would be in high up in the mountains in Colo. by a stream, with my nearest neighbor miles away, and only the animals for daily company.
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Hovering over the ocean, with a cloud staircase. I would have hundreds of rooms people who needed somewhere to sleep could stat in and family parties for the neighborhood every weekend, pot luck with costumes 🙂
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I would like a castle in England… it is so beautiful there.
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Hi Angie, I deleted your second comment because otherwise my giveaway software would have disqualified you entirely for entering twice. I can see your email! It’s just not visible to anyone else. Thanks & good luck!!!
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If I had a dream castle it would be in Hawaii where I can see the beautiful sunset over the ocean with a big back yard that my kids can run and play and there would be many parties to be had to meet so many people
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The Lake District, United Kingdom! I lived in England until I was ten years old. One of the houses we lived in had a very narrow long garden. At the bottom of the garden was a little stream with an arched bridge that led you to a pasture of horses. I played with the fairies who lived by the bridge.
England is a magical place. Due to my time there as a child, I have true appreciation for the Renaissance Festival!!
Can you guess what my character will be for the day?!
Hope I win!
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If I had a castle it would be on top of a mountain in Colorado, I am not sure which one, but one of them! I would love for it to overlook a lake and have a great night view of the city lights 🙂
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Well, It would just have to be around Longmont area, maybe just north of town. I have lived here all of my life and wouldn’t dream of living anywhere else!
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My castle would be at the top of Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs. There would be a hidden road or easy hike up to the castle and I would offer tours and open up a section for lodging and a restaurant. That way, people who made the difficult hike to the waterfalls wouldn’t have far to go to rest, get recharged, get cold water for the trip back or spend the night. That way hikers won’t have to worry about getting caught in the rain or dark on the way back down. 🙂
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I would build a castle on a hilltop along the Front Range so that I can view both the mountains and the valley.
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Anywhere in beautiful green Ireland!
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my castle would be on several farm acres in Vermont.
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My Castle would be on a shallow mountain, over a city. This way the view at night is spectacular, but I also could see the stars too.
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Asheville, NC
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My castle would be in New Zealand, probably somewhere where Lord of the Rings was filmed, and I would definitely have a moat with alligators.
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Thanks for the chance to win tickets! My castle would need to be on the top of a mountain in the Rockies. Anyone will do. I mean, if I’m getting a castle, the land should come with it.
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I’d stick my castle right in the middle if City Park in Denver…cuz I’m a brat.
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I’d like my castle anywhere in the England countryside please.
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Ireland, because who wouldn’t want a castle in the land of castles. Lol
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The Island of Santorini, Greece.
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In the gorgeous rocky mountains of colorado!! In a valley surrounded by peaks, and a river running through it.,
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My castle would encompass a floating island on the west coast, so it would be impervious to the earthquakes and ride the tsunamis in our future.
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Here in colorado springs!
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My castle would be an a mountain near pikes peak
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Tantallon Castle is a semi-ruined mid-14th-century fortress, located east of North Berwick, in East Lothian, Scotland. I would make that castle my castle!
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My castle would be in SPAIN & i would invite anyone & everyone to come & stay but especially if you are garb.
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Ever heard of an anime called “Howl’s Moving Castle”? It could walk wheresoever it wished. (It was a very nice castle and kept out of the way of existing buildings and sheltered various characters in need of sheltering.) Perhaps, I could have one of those gentle giants?
And if I by some remote chance get selected, please donate the the tickets to the Northern Colorado Chapter of “Bikers against Child Abuse”.
Contact info: http://colorado.bacaworld.org/twinpeaks/
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On a floating cloud..
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We have a winner! Sarah, who wanted a castle a top a mountain in Colorado, you’re the lucky winner. I have emailed you and you now have 48 hours to respond. Thanks so much to EVERYONE who entered!!!
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I would want a Garden of the Gods castle
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Hi Csilla, don’t know how you found the old giveaway, but you responded on the 2014 post. There’s a new one here: http://www.heiditown.com/2015/06/30/win-4-tickets-to-colorado-renaissance-festival-2/
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There is a large flat topped bluff east of I-25 between Castle rock and larkspur. The top has sheer stone cliffs around it already. The perfect spot. Defensible and can be seen from miles around so my vassals will be awed and inspired!
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Dear Lord Konrad von Alpirsbach, don’t know how you found the old giveaway, but you responded on the 2014 post. There’s a new one here: http://www.heiditown.com/2015/06/30/win-4-tickets-to-colorado-renaissance-festival-2/
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Mine would be in Estes Park! I love the picture of you with the chicken leg. 🙂
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Hi Gretchen, don’t know how you found the old giveaway, but you responded on the 2014 post. There’s a new one here: http://www.heiditown.com/2015/06/30/win-4-tickets-to-colorado-renaissance-festival-2/
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I am living in Illinois but did live in the Springs for 10 years so my Place would be on top of Pikes Peak what a 360 view. Just keep the fireplaces going.
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Love it, Charles! Unfortunately this contest is over, but I will be running another one shortly, so keep an eye (or better yet, subscribe) to HeidiTown so as not to miss it.
Thanks for stopping by!