Medieval Fair Moved to Last Weekend in March

The Middle Ages will come to Norman March 26-28 during the 34th annual Medieval Fair at Reaves Park. The Fair is usually held the first weekend in April, but was moved up one week due to Easter falling at that time. This living history fair features art, craft, food, games, exhibits, demonstrations and ongoing entertainment.

Located on Jenkins Avenue, just north of state Highway 9 East, Reaves Park will be filled with brightly costumed performers entertaining in true Middle Ages style including minstrels, jugglers, dancers and armored knights jousting. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.

Entertainment includes Arabesque (middle eastern music duo), Tullamore (traditional music trio), Glasnots (glass harmonica), Brother Donald the Storyteller, Queen’s Gambit(traditional and Celtic music band), Emerald Flame(traditional music trio), Redland Rogues(combat drama), The Norman Singers(choral musci ), and The Bilge Pumps(sea shanty band).

Highlight of the Fair are jousting tournaments with knights on horseback presented by the Arthurian Order of Avalon. Tournaments are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day. Another anticipated Fair event is the human chess game, based on King Arthur and the Knights of Round Table, scheduled for 1 and 5 p.m. each day.

Performances are continuous throughout the three-day Fair on six stages scattered around the park.  New performers for this year’s fair are Wolgemut, an internationally known early music ensemble; Scottish Rogues, a high energy Scottish band; Owain Phyfe, an internationally known musician who plays and sings popular songs from the 16^th century; Daniel Duke of Danger, a comedic juggler and tight-rope walker; and Bob the Incredible Juggler.

On Saturday, an authentic medieval wedding filled with the pomp and ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at Minstrel Circle. The public is invited.

More than 200 artists and crafters will be selling handcrafted items including pottery, candles, woven clothing, jewelry, medieval costumes, stained glass, leather goods, musical instruments and wooden crafts.

Games for all ages include camel rides, a hand-cranked medieval swing carousel, the king’s carousel driven by exotic animals, and crossbow. Other fun activities include wax hands, sand art and face-painting.

Craft demonstrations of brass rubbing, blacksmithing, chainmail making, glass work, pottery making, woodworking, and armor-making will be presented.

Educational exhibits, demonstrations and presentations about life in the Middle Ages will be presented by the Society for Creative Anachronism, University of Central Oklahoma Medieval Society, St. Gregory’s University and the Authurian Order of Avalon.

The Fair’s Royal Court will greet visitors along with other street characters such as Feather Man, King’s Toy, King Arthur, mermaids and strolling minstrels.

The public is invited to enter the costume contest scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday at the Camelot Stage.  Prizes will be awarded to the best costumes in men’s, women’s and children’s categories.

Food concessions offer homemade fruit and chicken salad crepes, Bodacious Burritos, Scottish baked goods, gyros, Indian tacos, funnel cakes, strudel, cinnamon roasted almonds, homemade tarts, roasted corn and smoked turkey legs. Handcrafted fudge, root beer, sarsaparilla and cream soda will also be available.

Parking for $10 per car is available at Lloyd Noble Center on Jenkins Avenue, located one block south of Reaves Park. Visitors coming from outside Norman are advised to take I-35 to Highway 9 East, then north on Jenkins Ave. Parking for vehicles with handicap permits will be available on the park grounds.

Visitors to the Fair should be aware of the City of Norman’s new ordinance that prohibits smoking in City parks except in parking lots.

The Medieval Fair is the third largest event in the state and the state’s largest weekend event.  It was selected by Events Media Network as one of the top one 100 events in the nation and is made possible, in part, by the Norman Arts Council Hotel Tax Grant Program and the City of Norman.

Admission is free.  For more information call the Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau at 366-8095 or 1-800-767-7260, or visit the Fair’s Web site: www.medievalfair.org.