Tri-Cities organizers of the canceled Renaissance fair had big news Tuesday

Ye Merrie Greenwood Renaissance Faire will turn Columbia Park into a site for knights and ladies, peasants and paupers this September after all.

Ye Merrie Greenwood Players announced last week that the event had been canceled in the Tri-Cities after 33 years of drawing crowds for jousting, theater, music and magic as costumed characters wander the fair and chat with participants.

Marjorie Kunigisky, president of Ye Merrie Greenwood Players said a contract could not be worked out with the city. It came at a time that the group had already suffered financial setbacks.

But after Kennewick Mayor Pro Tem Steve Lee stepped into help, the summer outdoor staple for the Tri-Cities is back on.

“I’d say we have a Faire up and running!” Kunigisky posted on social media Tuesday. “Huzzah!”

Contract issues were worked out Monday with the city of Kennewick to use the city park, she said.

One of the key sticking points was the city’s right to cancel the fair for what it determined to be “severe” weather. Kunigisky was concerned about how she would cover the event’s bills if it were canceled.

By the time the fair starts each year, the group has committed about $30,000 for expenses, such as advertising and equipment rentals.

She better understands what would be considered severe weather and what actions could be taken after the meeting with city officials.

For instance, a city official would watch for winds over 20 mph. But rather than canceling the fair, officials could require people to take shelter until the wind calms and then let the fair resume, Kunigisky said.

Donations raised for Greenwood fair

That reassurance, combined with a GoFundMe account organized by Lee, gave her the confidence to move forward with the fair this year.

“The Ye Merrie Greewood Renaissance Faire is a part of our town’s story. It is worth saving,” Lee posted at the online donation drive.

“It draws people outside, and away from their screens,” he said. “It even brings people in from other towns that have even less to do than us.”

Kunigisky said she is thankful that Lee has stepped up as the group’s “angel,” and that the donations have been “humbling.”

The fund had raised nearly $4,300 by Tuesday morning to be used to offset the costs if the festival had to be canceled due to severe weather.

It is not close to the ambitious goal of $40,000 set by Lee, but would be a start toward covering costs of rented equipment and marketing if the event were canceled for weather, Kunigisky said. Lee started the fundraising with the first $1,000 donation.

Although weather insurance is available for events, it is expensive, she said.

The donations will be set aside until needed for a cancellation, with the hope that some financially better years for the fair will allow the group to add to it.

Columbia Park reserved

The Merrie Greenwood Players still has to find general insurance.

Its policy was canceled after a woman died in 2018 after a large branch from a sycamore tree in Columbia Park in Kennewick fell during windy weather, hitting her as she sat on a bench.

Ye Merrie Greenwood Players is named as one of several defendants in a lawsuit filed by the woman’s family, Kunigisky said.

Lee has agreed to help the group find general insurance and have it in place by the end of the month for both the Tri-Cities fair and also a second fair that the Tri-Cities-based players group holds near the Oregon coast.

Ye Merrie Greenwood at Glastonbury Faire at Waterfront Park in Toledo, Ore., will be June 27-28.

The city of Kennewick is reserving the dates of Sept. 19-20 for the fair at Columbia Park while the group lines up insurance coverage.

The Renaissance fair moved from its longtime site of Howard Amon Park in Richland four years ago for the better parking and additional space in Columbia Park.

But it took some time for the public to get used to the change and the event lost money the first three years in Kennewick, finally breaking even as more people returned in 2019, Kunigisky said.

She’s hopeful that this coming September the group will have admission receipts closer to what it traditionally had in Richland. The fair attracts about 6,000 people, including professional entertainers, volunteers and participants.

GoFundMe.com continues to accept donations for a weather emergency. Because Greenwood Players area a nonprofit, contributions should be tax deductible, Kunigisky said.

This story was originally published February 4, 2020 at 12:18 PM.