The MN Renaissance Festival
History of Awards

Descriptions of the awards & loot kindly provided by Erin Kasper

 

 

Cracked Cup (started in 1978)

Given to the outstanding Rookie of the year

Late Bloomer (started in 1985)

Given to the most improved veteran entertainer
(list of recipients 1985-1993 provided by John Neitz)

Bottomless Hat

Given to the best new act (stage, street or music) of the festival season

Excellence in Entertainment (started in 2003)
Awarded to one stage and one musical act. These performers exhibit the qualities of professionalism both on and off stage, continuous growth as performers and a sense community spirit.


Music
(list of recipients provided by Anita Kelling)

 

Unicorn Award
Recipients have participated as entertainers a minimum of 10 years. Given to those people whose talent and love of performing personify the magic of Festival. Who, with their special gifts continue to ensure the artistic quality of the festival year in, year out, and all year ‘round.

Lee Walker Award (started in 2003)
(list of recipients provided by Tim Wick)

A note on the loot, from Erin Kasper:

As for the actual awards themselves, all except the Unicorns were switched around 2003-2004. Originally they all received a small wooden goblet. Carr and I felt it was important to present them with something that was more practical and appropriate (a jack, a pouch, a hat pass hat, etc.) that they could actually use.

The Unicorn has gone through numerous incarnations (Gary thought 4-6) and the current wooden plaque with mirror and unicorn has actually been retired as of this year [2007]. The crafter is no longer making that style so we will be choosing a new one starting [2008].

 

A further loot note, from John Neitz:

The traveling 'trophy' [for the Late Bloomer Award] was 'The Macaroni Shoe,' which the first awardee gave to the second, with the intention that each year the new awardee would add more decoration to it. It was a stacked heel Restoration period kind of shoe (the type Beau Monde would wear) with elbow macaroni glued all over it and the whole thing spray painted gold.

Pictures of his wooden goblet from the Late Bloomer Award: side - bottom