Carver's King Richard's Faire: 'Transformation' at Edaville Site

CARVER (WBSM) — King Richard’s Faire has officially announced its move to the Edaville Family Theme Park property, and with it a chance to expand upon both the Faire and Edaville’s Christmas Festival of Lights celebration as it looks to continue both Carver traditions.

Meanwhile, vintage rail equipment is being removed from the Edaville land.

WBSM first broke the story last month that the new owner of King Richard’s Faire, Lancelot Entertainment Boston, LLC, had also purchased Edaville and intended to move the Faire to the Edaville property due to a dispute with the owner of the Faire’s original property.

The Faire later confirmed to WBSM and other media outlets that it was indeed moving to the Edaville property. Today, it issued a press release giving us a little more insight into the plans.

King Richard’s Faire Will Open at Its New Location at Summer’s End

On August 30, King Richard’s Faire will launch its 44th season as New England’s largest and longest-running Renaissance festival, and according to the release, it will undergo “a transformation” on its new site.

“The revered grounds it will now inhabit are sure to be friendlier to those guests with accessibility needs and will boast new landscapes like crimson cranberry bogs and a mirrored pond,” according to the release. “The Faire's longtime mission of fun and fantasy for all will continue, as guests can escape their reality in a land of make believe.”

The newly-designed fairgrounds will feature “an elite artisan marketplace combined with eight stages of live world-class entertainment, a tournament field with jousting knights, and food fit for a king.” It remains to be seen if the Victorian market built a few years ago at Edaville will be aesthetically transformed to become part of the King Richard’s Faire experience.

Keeping the King Richard’s Faire Tradition Alive

Aimée Shapiro Sedley will remain as producer and general manager of the Faire, a position she has held for the past 30 years. She is the daughter of the creators and original owners of King Richard’s Faire, Dick and Bonnie Shapiro.

“Tradition is important to us all and keeping the important aspects of our storied businesses will be a comfort to longtime fans,” she said.

Auditions for This Season of King Richard’s Faire Are Ending Soon

The deadline to submit your audition is Tuesday, April 15. According to the website, in order to audition, you must fill out a form online and submit a video in which you:

Perform 16 bars (30 seconds) of two contrasting songs: one up-tempo and one ballad either a Capella, or if you would like to accompany yourself, using the instrument of your choice.
A one-minute monologue
Demonstrate any special skills (musical instruments, dance, magic, juggling, stilt walking, etc.

What Will Become of Edaville?

It sounds like Edaville will be a Christmas-only attraction, something previous owner Jon Delli Priscoli had floated a few years ago.

“Edaville will also experience a transformation, bringing new enchantment for guests but also continuing its tradition of Christmas and holiday light magic in December,” the release stated. “Edaville will add exciting entertainment, and delicious foods and beverage options, as well as expand its festive holiday marketplace.”

Meanwhile, most of Edaville's amusement rides will be auctioned off next month as the park downsizes.

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