Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak.   Faery dust! Harps! Hammered Dulcimers! Fire! Knights in shining armor! Elves! Royalty!

Imagine stepping into a world where every sound, sight and feeling transports you back to the romanticism of the 1300s. At every turn you take you’re greeted with a “my lady” or “my lord” and perhaps even treated like royalty. A time on earth where magic still lives – even if only in our own reality and only for several hours or an entire weekend. The Renaissance (meaning re-birth) was a period of enlightenment in European history, that preceded the Dark Ages, covering the 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.

A couple of summers ago, I found myself walking the streets of Amsterdam after enjoying a few hours at the Van Gogh Museum. I remember walking up to a quartet of musicians whose music filled the streets with the sweet sounds of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Air” on violin followed by Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”. I looked around at the crowd of smiling faces and part of me couldn’t help but wonder if this is what it was like during the Renaissance. Couples walking hand-in-hand occasionally stopping to enjoy the ambiance. Perhaps even retreating afterwards to the pub for a glass of mead.

Considering I couldn’t travel back in time - and still can’t - I did the next best thing. I closed my eyes and allowed my senses to soak in everything I was feeling. For the first time in a long time I had permitted my imagination to become reality. It is one of few moments in life I shall always remember in great detail. The only other times I have ever felt my senses heightened by images of history were during my attendance at Renaissance festivals.

I know some people may think of these festivities as corny or cheesy, but to me, these festivals are a reminder of the world we are connected to. They are the beauty, the suffering, the triumph and inspiration of history. Since, as far as I know, time travel is not yet possible, I highly recommend you find a way to reconnect with the time of the Renaissance. Who knows? You may find yourself relating to it more than you expected.

Art, music, life and love all had new meaning during the Renaissance. It was a time of celebration. A time you too can experience here in your own state at The Colorado Renaissance Festival. An enchanting experience not to be missed.

Themed weekends begin the third weekend in June. Open your imagination and set the inner magic in you free. Don’t forget your camera, friends, wallet and your costume. O yes, it’s more fun when you dress up! Trust me…

For more information, check out their website at https://coloradorenaissance.com/.