The 2025 Guthrie Renaissance had another successful year with John Pagonis, owner/operator, estimating 7,000 people in attendance with at least a couple hundred people participating the in new adventure quest.
This year, in a creative partnership, Missy Hanock, the Tourism Coordinator for Guthrie and the Guthrie Chamber, collaborated with the Guthrie Renaissance Festival this year to offer a distinctive adventure for festival attendees. The journey began at the Guthrie Chamber tent, strategically located within the festival grounds, where participants received clues leading them to the charming shops and eateries of downtown Guthrie. These hints set them on a quest to "rescue" mystical mermaids and heroic knights while exploring the town, with prizes awaiting the triumphant adventurers. The competition concluded with one winner and one runner-up. The prizes included a basket brimming with treats from local businesses such as Guthrie Brewery, Ricks, The Wander Inn, Novel Idea, and Mouthful Confections. Participants also vied for a Renaissance T-shirt and the coveted Dragon Sculpture awarded by LOKals, a craft store in Guthrie. In total, fourteen merchants took part in this engaging quest.
Missy Hanock described the initiative as an experimental venture that was a resounding success. The streets of downtown Guthrie witnessed an influx of visitors, drawn by the quest—a clear reflection of the enthusiasm and support from local residents, festival attendees, and potential tourists. Local food merchants, in particular, reported a significant boost in sales, credited to the engaging activities provided by the quest. This is a clear indication of the positive impact such initiatives can have on local businesses, encouraging everyone to support and participate in future events.
The festival was host to approximately 150 vendors, include 120 merchandise vendors, 10 food trucks and about 30 entertainment vendors. Many of the vendors came from across the country according to Pagonis, noting that, “It’s becoming a national show, it’s what we are working toward.”
He said vendors are coming from states all-around including North Dakota, Iowa and more, and adding Guthrie to the normal circuit route before heading on other state like New Mexico. He commented Guthrie’s festival and the one held in Norman are now the largest soft-build Renaissance Festivals in Oklahoma.
The initial collaboration between the Renaissance Festival and downtown Guthrie has
been deemed a success, with plans already in motion to expand and enhance the experience for
next year’s event.
Photos by Shelley Malicote Stutchman.