New Renaissance Festival owners plan changes

The new owners of the Ohio Renaissance Festival said they have made improvements this year after completing purchase of the Harveysburg property in northern Warren County.

David Ashcraft and his partners, operating under the name Brimstone and Fire LLC, purchased the Ohio Renaissance Festival in January.

Peter Carroll, the founder, had operated the festival on the grounds the previous 25 years before the sale.

Patrons will see and experience changes to the festival this year, according to a news release. Work began in April and includes a new joust field and viewing stand, an additional pub and a roof added to the largest pub on site. Organizers also said they will offer more ticket options, food choices and entertainment. The festival also recently launched its own online store.

The new owners are all from the Dayton area, though only Ashcraft has been named publicly.

He owned a technology company, while another partner is in sales manufacturing and the third partner is in commercial real estate. Members of the festival’s managing team all remained after the sale.

“The festival is a unique entertainment venue for the Cincinnati, Dayton, and Columbus region,” Ashcraft said. “We are excited to expand on the great tradition this entertainment park brings to the area.”

The new owners did not disclose the terms of the sale, which included 144 acres where Carroll had planned to build houses in 2006.

The new owners formed Caesar Creek Properties as the managing company for the housing development. They plan to continue the first phase of the development, 28 homes on Harveysburg Road, with the help of Peebles Homes, a Dayton-area home builder. After the first phase of the development is complete, Ashcraft and his partners will consider what to do with the remaining acreage.

The 26th annual Ohio Renaissance Festival opens Sept. 5 for eight weekends through Oct. 25. The event will be open Saturdays, Sundays and Labor Day from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.