We had the good fortune of connecting with David Pulcifer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi David, what do you attribute your success to?
We have a vibrant community of passionate reenactors and educators who are dedicated to creating a fun and enlightening experience for our guests. We also have the only permanently built Renaissance Village in California. From the ground up our event is a collaborative endeavor with a lot of groups and individuals cooperating to create an experience that would be impossible if it was completely centrally planned.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In 2015 I fell in love with this village while participating in LARP events, and when the original owner passed away I didn’t want to see this place go away or get taken over by a large corporation who would eradicate the culture and communities that had grown up here. I wanted to preserve those communities, because what we have in Koroneburg was only possible during the time it was originally built and would be impossible in California now without millions of dollars of starting capital.

The achievement I am most proud of is helping grow our Renaissance Festival from only a couple hundred visitors per day to over 2000 per day. It has gone from a struggling event that suffered from antiquated marketing, to an event that is regularly picked as #2 in California (behind the Original Southern California Pleasure Faire, the very first Ren Faire in the US).

Our biggest challenge is still ongoing. Our lease is ending in 2025 and we are trying to secure the renewal from Riverside County. Many people in our local community, and especially the city government of Eastvale see the good we do, and the possibilities of what our village could be. But it has been a challenge to get Riverside County to see that same value, because we don’t fit into the standard mold of activities they are used to. We are in the final stages of a documentary about the park that I hope will change their minds, and generate support from citizens who live around us.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am biased, but of course I would say our Renaissance Festival, or if in October, the Coffin Creek Halloween Haunt. We also host LARP events every weekend that I think people should check out. Outside of our park Disneyland or Universal studios are obvious choices. Castle Park Amusement park has some of the best minigolf courses in my opinion. I also really like the community events Eastvale hosts. Eekvale in October, Festival of lights, street food faire, and their December holiday event. There are also some amazing horse riding and biking paths in Eastvale and Norco.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I had never run an event of this size before when I took over managing the Koroneburg Festival in 2017, and I only had minor experience with Renaissance Faires and Reenacting. It was the community of reenactors that already existed here that acted as my mentor. I spent a lot of time talking with them, asking questions, and learning from them. Particularly Patti Long, Michael Rhodes, Lois Tunnel, and Laura Jefchak who are experienced veterans of multiple decades.

Website: www.renfestcorona.com

Instagram: @renfestcorona

Facebook: www.facebook.com/koroneburg

Image Credits
Don Telford, Jerry Shaw, Pacific Photo Society, Thomas Wood

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.