WEEKEND RENAISSANCE FAIRE EVENT TO BE HOSTED BY BACON’S CASTLE

For immediate release

For more information, contact:
Carol Wiedel, cwiedel@preservationvirginia.org
757-357-5976

The Tournament of the Castle Renaissance Faire will transform Bacon’s Castle into an imagined medieval splendor bringing both tourism and an economic boost to Surry, Virginia.

SURRY, Va. (September 2, 2026)– Experience history reimagined at Bacon’s Castle during the Tournament of the Castle Renaissance Faire on November 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees can expect a weekend of medieval full-plate armored combat hosted by the Tidewater Dogs of War, demonstrations by blacksmiths, musical performances, roaming entertainment acts, and living history interpretations.

Set against the backdrop of North America’s oldest brick home, the two-day renaissance faire at Bacon’s Castle will span over 40 acres, and will offer visitors an array of family-friendly activities, including an artisan market with local vendors, a variety of food trucks, as well as mead, wine, and beer from Virginia. The public is invited to wear their finest Renaissance attire and join the festivities.

“We’re honored to be stewards of one of the most unique historic sites in North America,” said Will Glasco, Preservation Virginia CEO. “The Tournament of the Castle event provides an opportunity to introduce Bacon’s Castle to a larger audience, many of whom might not have visited before.”

Tickets are now on sale at https://preservationvirginia.org/tournament-of-the-castle/. For adults, tickets are available at $22. Military, seniors aged 60+, and AAA members receive discounted tickets at $20. Preservation Virginia Members and students ages 12 to 18 can purchase tickets for $15 per day. For children under 12, a ticket must be reserved online for free. Advance ticket purchase is required, no tickets will be sold at the gate. In order to attend Saturday and Sunday, two separate tickets must be purchased.

Bacon’s Castle, built in 1665 for Arthur Allen, is the oldest brick dwelling in North America. Initially called Allen’s Brick House, it gained the name “Bacon’s Castle” after Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676 when it was occupied by Nathaniel Bacon’s men. The house showcases High Jacobean architecture, a rare example in the U.S., and includes a restored 17th-century English formal garden and several surviving outbuildings. The site covers four centuries of Virginia’s history, including the lives of free and enslaved Africans and African Americans. Preservation Virginia acquired the property in the 1970s and restored it in the 1980s.

About Preservation Virginia
Preservation Virginia is a private, nonprofit organization seeking to inspire and engage the public in fostering, supporting and sustaining Virginia’s historic places through leadership in advocacy, education, revitalization and stewardship. The organization operates six historic sites open to the public: Bacon’s Castle, the John Marshall House, Cape Henry Lighthouse, Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown, Historic Jamestowne and Smith’s Fort, while being the statewide voice for historic preservation issues. Learn more at www.preservationvirginia.org.

Media Assets: Credit to Preservation Virginia