Renaissance tradition takes a new turn

Las Cruces' longtime Renaissance fair tradition is taking a different shape this year, with familiar performers and historical activities finding a home at an event where families won't have to pay to get through the gate. 

Renaissance Gone Rogue will return Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Boutz Road, bringing historical performances, interactive demonstrations and games together for a free, one-day celebration. 

“You don't have to take your wallet,” said Melody Hagaman, an organizer and performer with Enchantment Historical Productions. “You can just take your kids, take your family, go by yourself, and have a lovely afternoon full of activities and entertainment where you can kind of escape and just enjoy yourself for free.” 

The nonprofit is preparing for its second Renaissance Gone Rogue after drawing more than 450 attendees to its inaugural event in 2025, according to Hagaman. This year's gathering will feature familiar Renaissance fair attractions alongside new activities, including a scavenger hunt centered on Henry VIII's six wives and a comedic musical exploring the relationship between Mary, Queen of Scots, and Queen Elizabeth I. 

Students participating in Sew History, a program organized by Enchantment Historical Productions, will showcase garments they designed and created after studying clothing from different historical periods. Some participants learned to sew for the first time, while others spent months developing their projects. 

For Hagaman, those students helped illustrate why admission costs could become an obstacle. When the nonprofit participated in the Renaissance ArtsFaire previously organized by the Doña Ana Arts Council, young performers could often enter without charge, but their relatives still had to purchase admission to watch them. 

“We wanted to do our part to make sure that we removed as many barriers to accessing and enjoying this event as possible,” Hagaman said. 

That commitment helped shape the decision to establish a separate celebration. Enchantment Historical Productions formed in 2013 through a group of community members interested in bringing history to life through performances and educational experiences. Its members include teachers, historians, costume designers and longtime Renaissance fair participants. 

For years, the organization operated the Crimson Bear Court at the ArtsFaire, presenting historical fashion shows, theatrical productions and other attractions. Hagaman said the group decided to organize its own event after it was asked to begin paying for space it had previously used as volunteers. 

Many of those traditions will return Saturday, along with activities that invite visitors to participate. Children can explore alchemy, learn about heraldry and encounter reptiles through an attraction called “Hold a Real Dragon.” The event will also feature Irish dancing by Dance Connection Las Cruces and demonstrations by other community groups. 

A New Mexico-inspired competition between the Red Court and Green Court will give attendees a chance to choose sides, with staged martial arts battles presented by Zia Martial Arts among the activities planned. 

Unlike a conventional Renaissance fair, Gone Rogue does not center on a marketplace of artisans and vendors. Instead, organizers want to create a gathering where visitors can participate without feeling obligated to spend money. 

“I feel like, especially in this age, there aren't a lot of third spaces where community can come together and the focus is anything other than just people selling you stuff,” Hagaman said. 

The nonprofit has relied on local businesses, volunteers and individual donors to support that approach. Hagaman credited First Presbyterian Church for providing the venue and said community contributions have helped cover food, supplies and other expenses. Concessions will be available for purchase, along with complimentary refreshments and historical food samples. 

The celebration comes as the future of Las Cruces' former Renaissance ArtsFaire remains in transition. The Doña Ana Arts Council, which previously organized the festival, has closed, and Cruces Creatives is working with Doña Ana County on a possible revival in 2027. 

John Urbanovsky of Cruces Creatives said discussions remain in the contract phase, with further details unavailable until an agreement is finalized. 

Hagaman said Enchantment Historical Productions has also been in discussions with Cruces Creatives about possible future involvement. While the nonprofit hopes to continue offering a free historical event each year, its format and relationship to other community celebrations remain uncertain. 

For now, organizers are focused on welcoming visitors to an afternoon of entertainment and historical discovery, whether they arrive in elaborate costumes or everyday clothing. 

“Come in a costume, don't come in a costume,” she said. “Be fantasy, be a pirate, just wear your everyday wear, whatever you want. All are welcome at our fair.”