Huzzah! Did you know... The first Renaissance Festival ever held in North America was actually an elaborate medieval themed event staged on May 18th, 1778 in the City of Philadelphia? And that it was presented by occupying forces of the British Army? It included processions of pageantry, a river regatta, fireworks, a costumed dance ball and banquet, plus a mounted tournament of armored jousting knights! The event was the brainchild of British Captain John André (otherwise famous for plotting treason with Benedict Arnold), but also a skilled entertainment designer and theatrical director.

An illustration (created a century later) of what the Mischianza might have looked like. Image via Wikimedia Commons

Join us on May 25th for a virtual lecture from historian and reenactor Markus Harris. This event is a collaboration with the New Jersey Renaissance Faire.

Buy tickets ($5) now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/online-lecture-the-mischianza-medieval-merriment-in-revolutionary-philad-tickets-329241449037