Contests

2026 Daily Contest, Themed Weekend and Creative Contest information coming soon!

Take your visit to the next level by joining our daily, themed weekend or creative contests, where guests of all ages can laugh, compete and make unforgettable memories. With different challenges each weekend, there’s always another chance to step into the story and become part of the fun.

Daily Contests

Each festival day we have three contests that anyone can participate in at the Merry Mayhem Stage.

Costume Contest

Rootbeer Chugging

Sausage Eating

 Show off your creativity, step into character, and compete for bragging rights and prizes, where every costume helps bring the magic of the festival to life. Whether you’re competing in the themed weekend category or the general costume contest, winners will receive gift certificates from contest sponsor American Leatherworks, in Lansing, KC to augment their current or next unforgettable Renaissance look.

Take on the Root Beer Chugging contest to see who can finish first, with winners receiving a delicious assortment of root beer flavored treats courtesy of our contest sponsor, the Candy Wizard shop. 

Think you have what it takes? Put your speed and determination to the test in our Sausage Eating Contest for a chance to win! Participants will get to enjoy sausage provided by contest sponsor Fritz’s Meat & Superior Sausage. 

Make sure to get a weekly schedule at the gate to see all the contest times at the Merry Mayhem Stage. To participate, show up at the Merry Mayhem stage a couple minutes before contest time. No pre-registration needed.

Themed Weekend Contests

Each week we have themed contests, check out the Entertainment Schedule for more information! 

Buccaneers & Ballgowns
Viking Invasion
Celtic Celebration
"World" Wind Romance
Once Upon a Time
Barktoberfest
Haunted Huzzah

Creative Contests

New this year – Every weekend brings a brand-new opportunity to express your creativity through unique contests inspired by our different themes Renaissance Festival. Step beyond the audience, embrace the theme, and discover just how much fun it is to become part of the experience. 

All contests will be held at 10:30 AM. Please allow for enough time to park and enter the gate. 

Artists must be on site to compete. Please check entertainment schedule for locations. 

Winners will be announced following the competition. Artists will have the option to either display their artwork at the Festival, or take their artwork home. 

Week 1 – Pirate Flags 

Location: Joust Seating

  • 3′ x 5′ flag with artwork
  • Must be sewn, drawn, and/or painted
  • Must be original artworks

Week 2 – Viking Shields

Location: Viking Encampment

  • 24″ across, circular 
  • Must be painted on wood, chloroplast, or plastic

Week 3 – Fairy Houses

Location: Enchanted Forest

  • Fairy Houses must be no larger than 16″ x 16″ x 16″
  • Primarily use natural products. 
  • Elmers Glue, paper, and cardboard must not be used if you choose to display your fairy house after the contest. 

 

Week 4 – Cupcakes

Location: Joust 

  • Decoration must be no larger than 5″ from the top of the cupcake
  • There is no option to display cupcakes after contest.

Week 5 – Bookmarks

Location: Joust 

  • Must be no larger than 3″ x 8″ paper or cardstock
  • Must be drawn or painted
  • Must be original artwork
  • Winning bookmark will be produced to share with local libraries. 

Week 6 – Brick Doghouses

Location: Joust 

  • Use interlocking bricks to make a doghouse no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 12″

Week 7 – Masks

Location: Joust 

  • Wearable masks must be no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 12″, made out of any material.