Natural Awakenings Twin Cities is giving away tickets to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, in Shakopee. Publisher Jackie Flaherty is holding a drawing for eight sets of two tickets to the festival, which is held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., on weekends from August 20 through October 2, plus Labor Day and September 30.

Now in its 46th season, the Minnesota Renaissance Festival is an interactive outdoor event that recreates a fictional, 16th-century English fantasy kingdom. A variety of events include 16 stages with live entertainment, games and activities, 250 artisan booths, food and beverages. Each weekend has its own theme, such as “Wine, Chocolate and Romance,” “Ye Old Pet Fest” and “Oktoberfest.”

For children, there are more than 50 free activities, including the Fairy Wing Forest or Dr. Thora Pandora’s Chemistry Experience, fairy wand and pirate tat making, Mermaid Cove, a petting zoo and the Secret Garden. Other children’s offerings include face painting, checkers, fencing, caricatures, and games such as Kings of the Log.

Drawings for the free tickets will be held randomly throughout August and September. Each winner will receive a pair of tickets. There will be eight pairs of tickets (total 16) given away to be used any time at this year’s festival. For instructions on entering the contest through Facebook, Twitter or the mail, visit NaturalTwinCities.com.

RULES FOR THE GIVEAWAY

Drawings for the free tickets will be held randomly throughout August. Each winner will receive a pair of tickets. There will be 8 pairs of tickets (total 16) given away during the month of August 2014 to be used any time at the 2014 Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

There are a three ways to enter; Facebook, Twitter and by mailing an entry. Entrants can enter multiple times, but once they've won, they cannot win again,

1. Mailed Entrants- Mail your name and address along with a mention of #MNRenFest to Natural Awakenings Magazine, PO Box 120052, St. Paul, MN 55112.

2. Facebook - LIKE the Natural Awakenings Twin Cities Facebook page and create your own comment on our Facebook page about #MNRenFest or Like, Share or Post one of the other #MNRenFest comments on the page. It doesn't matter if it's a Natural Awakenings comment or another reader's comment. Each entry will be numbered and a winner will be drawn at random in August and September.

3. Twitter- Follow @NAtwincities on Twitter and tweet or retweet a message with a mention #MNRenFest during the month of August. Each entry will be numbered and a winner will be drawn at random a few times in August and September..

Winners will be contacted via a private message on Facebook or Twitter depending on how they entered the contest. People who enter through the mail will be sent their tickets immediately if they are selected.

For contest questions, please contact Jackie Flaherty.

Location: Renaissance Festival Grounds, 12364 Chestnut Blvd., Shakopee. Free parking. For more information, call 952-445-7361 or visit RenaissanceFest.com.