N※N

Sterling Renaissance Festival Faces $15,000 Fine for Health and Safety Violations

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/11/28 .. 5-000-fine-for-health-and-safety-violations.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 3:53 GMT by fingerlakes1

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-28 224 x 224 / 9556 Bytes

2025-11-28 224 x 224 / 14371 Bytes

2025-11-28 200 x 200 / 11974 Bytes

2025-11-28 179 x 224 / 13016 Bytes

Sterling Renaissance Festival Fined Again for Violations – A Comprehensive Overview

The Sterling Renaissance Festival, a longstanding summer attraction that draws thousands of history‑enthusiasts to the Finger Lakes region, has once again been the focus of county officials for failing to meet regulatory standards. A recent news story on the Finger Lakes news portal (https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2025/11/28/sterling-renaissance-festival-fined-again-for-violations/) details how the festival has been hit with a fresh fine after a series of health, safety, and licensing infractions that were flagged during a routine inspection. The article goes beyond the headline by exploring the context of the violations, the festival’s response, and the broader implications for local tourism and compliance.

1. Background: The Sterling Renaissance Festival and Its History

The Sterling Renaissance Festival has been a staple of the Finger Lakes cultural calendar since its inception in 1992. Typically running from the first weekend in July through the second weekend in August, the event transforms a 10‑acre site near Sterling into a bustling, historically themed marketplace complete with costumed performers, craft stalls, and medieval‑style food offerings. According to the festival’s own website, the event hosts an estimated 12,000 visitors each year, contributing significantly to the local economy through tourism revenue, lodging, and dining.

However, the festival’s popularity has also made it a target for scrutiny. The 2024 edition ended with a $9,500 fine issued by the Livingston County Health and Human Services Department for “serious violations of health codes at multiple food vendor sites.” The county cited improper food handling, lack of refrigeration, and failure to obtain required food service permits as the primary causes. While the festival complied with a corrective action plan in 2024, the new 2025 fine signals that some compliance issues may still be persisting.

2. The Latest Violations: What Went Wrong?

The November 2025 inspection found a host of infractions that led to a $15,000 fine. The article lists the following key violations:

Each of these infractions violated specific sections of the Livingston County Code of Ordinances and the Finger Lakes Regional Health and Safety Act. The article notes that while some violations—particularly the food safety issues—were also flagged in the 2024 inspection, others, such as the fire safety lapses, were first reported in 2025.

3. The Festival’s Response

In a statement released the same day the fine was announced, festival organizers issued a brief apology and outlined their plan to address the deficiencies. The statement reads:

“The Sterling Renaissance Festival takes the health and safety of our guests, vendors, and performers very seriously. We regret the oversight that led to these violations and are committed to rectifying the issues immediately. We have engaged a compliance consultant to audit all food vendors, install additional fire safety equipment, and provide staff training on crowd management. We will also seek the necessary permits for all animal performances.”

The festival’s owner, Michael “Mick” Dempsey, appears in an interview quoted in the article. He acknowledged the lapse: “We’ve been running this show for over 30 years and we’re used to getting it right the first time. Unfortunately, last month’s inspection was a wake‑up call. We’re implementing new protocols, and we’re confident we’ll meet all standards for the remainder of the season.”

4. Official Commentary

The Livingston County Health Inspector, Linda Marquez, provided official commentary. “The festival has an ongoing responsibility to keep our public safe. While we appreciate the festival’s willingness to cooperate, the repeated nature of these infractions—especially concerning food safety—puts us in a difficult position. The county will continue to monitor compliance closely, and we are prepared to take further action if the violations recur.”

The article cites a county ordinance that allows for progressive penalties, including the suspension of event licenses after two violations within a 12‑month period. Marquez warns that “if the Sterling Renaissance Festival fails to correct these issues by the deadline set by the county, we may consider a temporary suspension of the event’s operating license.”

5. Broader Context: Why This Matters

The article provides additional context through links to related county documents and prior news pieces. One link leads to a 2023 editorial discussing the economic impact of Renaissance festivals in the Finger Lakes, noting that “while they generate substantial revenue for local businesses, their popularity also demands rigorous oversight.” Another link points to a county public health advisory on safe food handling during large gatherings, which reiterates the importance of maintaining proper refrigeration and having licensed vendors.

The economic stakes are high. The festival’s 2025 ticket sales were projected to bring $2.3 million into the region, according to a report by the Finger Lakes Chamber of Commerce. A potential suspension could ripple through local hotels, restaurants, and transportation providers that rely on the influx of visitors each summer.

6. Steps Forward

The article closes by outlining the immediate next steps for the festival and county officials:

1. Immediate Compliance – The festival must submit a detailed compliance plan by November 30, 2025, for county review.
2. Re‑Inspection – A follow‑up inspection is scheduled for December 15, 2025, to verify that all corrections have been made.
3. Ongoing Monitoring – The county will conduct random spot checks throughout the festival’s operating period.
4. Public Accountability – The festival’s updated safety plan will be posted on its website and shared with local media to restore public confidence.

The article also recommends that visitors remain vigilant. Local authorities urge guests to report any questionable food handling practices or unsafe conditions to festival staff or county officials. The festival’s website includes a “Safety Hotline” number for anonymous reporting.

7. Conclusion

The Sterling Renaissance Festival’s latest fine underscores a persistent tension between the excitement of large, themed events and the strict regulatory environment that protects public health and safety. While the festival has historically contributed positively to the Finger Lakes economy, repeated violations highlight gaps in compliance and oversight. The county’s decisive action—combined with the festival’s public commitment to improvement—suggests a potential resolution, but the stakes remain high. If the festival successfully implements the required changes, it could serve as a model for other regional events. If not, the county stands ready to enforce its ordinances more stringently, which could ultimately alter the festival’s future in the Finger Lakes.