Located just outside Oregon, Illinois, along the Rock River, Stronghold sits on approximately 360 acres and has operated as a Presbyterian camp and retreat center for 63 years. At the heart of the property is its iconic castle, which has a history of its own.
The castle was built between 1928 and 1929 by Walter Strong, owner and publisher of the Chicago Daily News. Originally constructed as a summer home for Strong, his wife, their children, and extended family, the castle eventually became part of the Stronghold property and now serves as the backdrop for countless camp, retreat, and community experiences.
One of Stronghold’s major annual events is the Old English Fair, a Renaissance-style festival that takes place during the first full weekend of October. In 2026, the event is scheduled for Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Old English Fair serves as an important fundraiser for Stronghold. Proceeds help provide camp scholarships for children and support the hiring of summer camp staff, including college students and international staff members who work with campers throughout the summer.
The fair has developed alongside Oregon’s annual Autumn on Parade celebration. What began decades ago with castle tours and a small vendor stand eventually grew into a full festival at Stronghold. The two events have continued to complement one another, bringing visitors to the Oregon area each fall.
Visitors to the Old English Fair can expect a combination of live performances, vendors, food trucks, and attendees dressed in Renaissance-inspired costumes. Stronghold plans to welcome approximately 50 vendors, with an emphasis on artisans who create their own products.
Food is also a major part of the experience, including Renaissance fair favorites such as turkey legs. The castle itself provides a unique backdrop, allowing visitors to experience a Renaissance-style festival surrounded by an actual historic castle.
Costumes are encouraged, especially for children and families. Stronghold’s setting offers kids an opportunity to step into an imaginative world filled with knights, princesses, and other Renaissance-inspired characters.
Stronghold also works to make the event accessible to visitors with mobility challenges. Parking is available in a large field, with shuttles and golf carts used to transport visitors between the ticket area and the castle.
Tickets are available online, allowing attendees to purchase their admission in advance and display their tickets on their phones when they arrive. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 through 12, and free for children under 5.
The Old English Fair is more than just a fall festival. The event directly supports Stronghold’s larger mission of providing summer camp opportunities and developing young people through work and recreation.
Stronghold’s summer camp offers a variety of activities, including a ropes course, zipline, swimming pool, canoeing on the Rock River, archery, Bible studies, and arts and crafts. The organization also provides retreat facilities for youth groups, churches, adult groups, and other organizations.
The property includes the historic castle complex, which provides dormitory-style accommodations for youth groups, as well as a hotel, banquet facilities, and camping areas. Throughout the year, Stronghold welcomes thousands of visitors for camps, retreats, events and outdoor experiences.
For Pierce, the Old English Fair is also an opportunity to see the Stronghold community come together. One of the highlights comes at the end of each day when performers and visitors gather in the castle courtyard for a closing revelry featuring music, dancing, and participation from the crowd.
The gathering also provides an opportunity for performers who have returned to the fair for many years to reconnect and celebrate another successful event.
With its historic castle, Renaissance-inspired entertainment, artisan vendors, food, costumes, and family-friendly atmosphere, the Old English Fair offers visitors a chance to experience something distinctly different while supporting Stronghold’s summer camp mission.
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