HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) - The Hattiesburg Zoo invited the public to join them for their 10th annual Renaissance Festival.
The festival started Saturday and concluded on Sunday, and the public was invited to partake in activities that will make you say, “Hear Ye!”
Sunday’s festivities kicked off with a costume contest, where participants showed off their best renaissance-themed outfit, and five judges picked out their own individual winner.
Visiting vendors say the display of creativity from everyone participating is something to behold each year.
“I love seeing the costumes that people come in wearing. That’s not something you usually see from a zoo, people wearing medieval costumes,” said vendor Chris Scarborough.
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“I enjoy seeing the community get to come out and show out a bit in that way.”
Throughout the day, guests were given quests to complete at the festival, such as learning how to make butter, how to make a candle, and how to strike a stance.
Members of the event planning staff said one of the best parts of the festival is interacting with the community.
“I get to do something a little bit different from my day to day, but also I get to see our community come out here, and every year you see kids that go ‘whoa,’” said Jeremy Cumpton, Director of Conservation and Education for the Hattiesburg Convention Commission.
“People take this opportunity to be creative and truly be themselves, and it makes us very happy that we get to be a part of that.”
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Hattiesburg Zoo staff said that Saturday’s attendance reached 3,829 people, which is the second largest attendance amount ever for the Renaissance Festival, while Sunday’s attendance reached 1,257.
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