Furnace Town has canceled its Renaissance Faire this fall because of a lack of funding, its executive director said, though the event is expected to return in 2027.
The faire has been held annually since 2021 and was scheduled for Sept. 26 and 27. But it costs about $60,000 to produce, more than Furnace Town Historic Site can afford under its current financial constraints, Executive Director Claudia Nagle said.
“No one is happy about it, including us, but the reality is that the funding picture for small nonprofits – it’s a challenging time,” she said.
Nagle said the pause would allow it to concentrate its resources on preserving the historic site and sustaining its primary mission.
Furnace Town operates with two full-time employees, two part-time employees, and about 20 volunteers. Nagle said staging the fair requires significant preparation before, during, and after the event.
The organization also pays performers brought in from across the East Coast, including stilt walkers, musicians, fire breathers and an entertainment troupe that covers emcee duties.