The 36th Annual Medieval Fair commences March 30, 31 and April 1, 2012, in Reaves Park, Norman, Okla, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Reaves Park is located on Jenkins Avenue just north of Highway 9 East.  This living history fair is packed with educational exhibits, craft demonstrations and seven stages filled with entertainment. It also has wandering performers, delicious fair food booths and enough arts and crafts booths to satisfy any shopaholic.
Brightly costumed performers entertain in the style of the Middle Ages: minstrels, jugglers, dancers and even armored knights in combat. Arabesque, Harmless T. Jesterson, Brother Donald the Storyteller, Emerald Flame, Redland Rogues and the Bilge Pumps are just a few of the scheduled entertainers.  The Arthurian Order of Avalon will stage daily Human Combat Chess Games at 1 and 4:45 p.m. daily. New performers this year include The Duelists performing sword combat and Brizeus with bagpipes and traditional music. The New Riders of the Golden Age, an internationally known professional jousting troupe, will be jousting at 11:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. daily with a special Equestrian Tests of Skill show at 5:30 p.m.

For the active and daring, there are games like JacobÂs Ladder, axe throwing, as well as camel and elephant rides. For the less adventurous, there’s a hand-cranked swing carousel and a carousel driven by exotic animals.  There is also hair braiding, face painting, henna body art and getting hands or roses cast in wax.
Educational craft demonstrations take place all over the fair:  blacksmithing, brass rubbings, chainmail making, woodworking, armor-crafting and much more. The Arthurian order of Avalon and the Society for Creative Anachronism will present on-going historical demonstrations.
The fair’s Royal Court featuring King Edward III and Edward the Black Prince will greet visitors, along with such street characters as the Feather Man, The KingÂs Toy, mermaids and many strolling minstrels.
The public is invited to enter the costume contest held Saturday and Sunday at 1:45 p.m. at the Camelot Stage. Prizes including t-shirts and turkey legs will be awarded to the best costumes in the menÂs, womenÂs and childrenÂs categories.
ItÂs not a fair without food and the Medieval Fair has the best food! Turkey legs, gyros, Indian tacos, roasted corn on the cob, falafel, dolmades, Italian sausages, candied apples, flavored popcorn and nuts, funnel cakes, strudel, burritos, Scottish baked goods and more.  Handcrafted fudge, root beer, pastas, garlic delicacies and fruit butters will also be available. Admission to the fair is free and parking is available at the Lloyd Noble Center on Jenkins Avenue, located one block south of Reaves Park, for a $5 fee.