TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Topeka Renaissance Fair Viking Celebration wrapped up Saturday, March 21, under unseasonably hot conditions, catching organizers off guard as temperatures climbed higher than expected for the outdoor event.
Event organizers say planning a festival like this takes months of coordination, from booking vendors to anticipating Kansas weather. But as many longtime participants know, predicting conditions in the Sunflower State can be a challenge.
The fair has a history of weather extremes. Last year, one Renaissance event fell on the hottest weekend in June, while another landed during one of the coldest weekends in October. That unpredictability forces performers and staff to come prepared with multiple costume options to stay comfortable.
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“Last night we had the festival, and it was a lot cooler because the sun went down,” said organizer Beau Creech. “I had on long sleeves and my coat, I was okay… Today, I’m wearing a cut-off, and I can tell you right now, I’ve sweat through this thing twice.”
With this weekend’s record-breaking heat and a track record of extreme conditions, organizers say they’ve stopped trying to outguess Mother Nature and are instead adapting as the weather changes.
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