For four weekends this past June, the Clackamas County Fairgrounds in Canby transformed into the Vale of Dunrose, a whimsical storybook village that drew more than 75,000 visitors to the Oregon Renaissance Faire. Guests feasted on turkey legs, browsed over 150 merchant stalls, and cheered on jousters and fire dancers amid the castle-like backdrop.
But alongside the pageantry, Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) inspectors uncovered serious safety lapses. Their findings revealed a less enchanting side of the event—one with potential risks for workers behind the scenes.
OSHA Findings: Six Safety Violations
An OSHA inspector arrived on June 30, as employees dismantled stages and displays after the final weekend. By July 24, the agency had issued six citations, including three classified as serious.
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Unsecured work platform on a forklift: Five or six employees reportedly used a forklift’s man basket to hang ropes, signs, and castle decorations. Because it was not secured, OSHA determined the most likely outcome was serious injury—such as lacerations, broken bones, or head trauma. The fine: $2,118.
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Lack of a heat illness prevention plan: With Oregon summers increasingly hot, the faire had no official protocol for when the heat index surpassed 80 degrees. Fine: $2,118.
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Failure to train employees on heat safety: Workers were not given required instruction on hydration, shade breaks, or recognizing signs of heat exhaustion.
The remaining violations were classified as general:
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No established safety committee.
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No completed hazard assessment for personal protective equipment.
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Failure to ensure industrial truck operators were properly certified.
In total, fines amounted to $4,236. Wandering in Time Productions (WITP), the company that runs both the Oregon and Washington Renaissance Faires, has appealed the citations and requested an informal conference with OSHA.
Context: Safety Oversight at Seasonal Festivals
Seasonal events like concerts, fairs, and festivals provide much of Oregon’s summer entertainment. While OSHA usually concentrates resources on high-hazard industries like logging and construction, workplace dangers at festivals have occasionally drawn attention.
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In 2019, two workers died at Pickathon Music Festival in Happy Valley when a boom lift tipped while dismantling a stage.
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In 2024, Cirque du Soleil was fined $8,070 after an aerialist fell during a Portland performance, suffering multiple fractures.
These incidents highlight how even short-term events can carry substantial risks for employees and volunteers.
Whistleblowers Sound the Alarm
The Oregon Renaissance Faire inspection did not occur by chance. It was prompted by a whistleblower group, The People’s Faire Council, made up of long-time “Rennies” who believe unsafe conditions have persisted for years.
Operating mostly on Facebook, the group contacted OSHA after two workers suffered head injuries at the 2024 festival.
“We were truly in fear,” said one whistleblower, using the pseudonym Will Blow. “Two girls got injured last year…which is everything OSHA proved this year—that these sites are unsafe.”
WITP’s Response
In an emailed statement, Wandering in Time Productions defended its record:
“The health and safety of our community is our highest priority, and we take all concerns seriously. When issues have occurred in the past, WITP worked directly with the appropriate agencies to resolve them and put corrective measures in place.”
The company has pledged to increase training, strengthen on-site safety protocols, and consult with independent experts to prevent future violations.
Growth Brings New Pressures
The Oregon Renaissance Faire has expanded rapidly since its founding in 2016. Initially a one-weekend, volunteer-driven event, it has since grown to four weekends, drawing tens of thousands of attendees and millions in revenue.
The faire’s nonprofit arm, the Washington Renaissance Arts & Education Society (WRAES), reported revenue growth from $795,000 in 2016 to $4 million in 2023, according to tax filings.
With expansion has come more staff, more volunteers, and greater logistical complexity. Yet, critics argue, worker protections have not kept pace.
Injuries and Allegations of Retaliation
The People’s Faire Council points to two incidents in 2024 as emblematic of deeper issues.
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Kristina Baumeier, a lead bartender, suffered a concussion when a Velcro-mounted sign advertising drinks fell on her head. She was terminated the next day.
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Cair Wood, part of the build crew, hit her head on a table leg while loading a flatbed truck. Diagnosed with a concussion, she was fired three days later for alleged misconduct.
Both women say their terminations effectively ended their careers in the Ren Faire circuit. Wood now lives in Wyoming, working at a gas station while caring for her mother. “The joy of my life is gone,” she said. “That was my dream career, and it’s just gone.”
WITP denies retaliating against injured workers, stating: “We welcome concerns raised by employees, vendors, and participants, and we do not take adverse action against anyone for reporting a safety issue or experiencing a workplace injury.”
Volunteers vs. Paid Employees
A recurring question is how many people at the faire are actual employees versus volunteers. WITP declined to provide exact figures, stating only that it collaborates with “nearly 2,000” individuals. OSHA records show 38 employees were present during post-event cleanup when the inspection occurred.
Critics argue that the reliance on unpaid labor, despite significant revenues, raises fairness and accountability concerns. “If you’re making all this money, you better damn well be paying your people well and treating them well,” said Shana Casey, a former marketing employee and member of The People’s Faire Council.
The Business of Fantasy
For attendees, the faire is a lighthearted escape. But behind the curtain, it is also a serious business. Just one food stall—the turkey leg booth—reportedly sells 3,000 to 4,000 turkey legs per weekend at $20 each, generating $60,000 to $80,000 in sales. Over the full season, that totals at least a quarter-million dollars in gross revenue.
Such numbers underscore the stakes: while fans experience the magic of medieval fantasy, workers and volunteers face real risks and pressures.
What Comes Next
Whether WITP will ultimately pay OSHA’s fines depends on the outcome of its appeal. But regardless of the settlement, the scrutiny from regulators and whistleblowers has already forced a broader conversation about worker safety at Oregon’s largest Renaissance Faire.
Festival growth has brought cultural vibrancy and economic benefits to Canby, but also raised questions about how profits are balanced against employee protections.
As Casey of The People’s Faire Council put it:
“Yes, we are really happy this magic happens and thousands of people enjoy it. Also, it’s happening on the backs of tons of volunteers, and you don’t see what they’re going through.”
With OSHA documents totaling 158 pages and a vocal group of critics continuing to push for reform, the Oregon Renaissance Faire—and Wandering in Time Productions—will likely face ongoing scrutiny as they prepare for future seasons.
