"Huzzah! Huzzah! God save the King! All you ladies and gentlemen, hear ye! Make way for the King and Queen!"

Trumpet fanfares, shouts and cheers call your attention to the town gate as the colorful procession begins. Knights and their fair ladies, pirates and wenches, merchants, jugglers, gypsies and jesters crowd the dusty lanes of the village amidst waving banners and flags. Musicians strum lutes, mimes interact with the visitors and choirs of heavenly voices entertain as the parade winds its way into the forest, where bold bandits in green tights await the unsuspecting traveler. If it sounds like Back to the Future meets Robin Hood in the Caribbean, well, that's all part of the fun and fantasy of the Kansas City Renaissance Festival.

Just a few miles and 500 years from the hustle and bustle of Kansas City, you enter a world where lords and ladies rule the 16th Century village of Canterbury. Over 600 costumed characters and artisans gather in the "green wood" near Bonner Springs, Kansas each autumn for what is Kansas City's most unique annual event. For seven weekends from August to October each year, while the rest of the city is thinking barbeque and jazz, the Kansas City Renaissance Festival goes back to a time of old world adventure and fun.

Kansas City Renaissance Festival was originally established to benefit the Kansas City Art Institute. The event gradually took on a life of its own and today the proceeds from the 180,000 plus visitors a year help benefit many non-profit organizations including the Children's Museum of Kansas City.

There's so much to see and do and it's all going on at once. You definitely won't see it all in one day, but with different themes and special events each weekend, you might want to plan to go more than once. Some don't-miss highlights include the joust (root for your favorite knight and boo his opponent), the juggler who juggles fire while standing on a tightrope and your pick of the many music and comedy shows throughout the realm.

Food is plentiful, from the traditional turkey legs, corn-on-the-cob and cheesecake-on-a-stick to the fabulous Feaste of Fooles where, for two hours, you'll stuff yourself silly on a six course meal while bards serenade you and swordfights break out on nearby tables. Tickets for the feast are $54.95 and include Festival admission.

The Living History Tour is a great way for first timers to see the Festival and is designed to aid the scholar in his or her search for knowledge of the era (reservations required). At 2:00 pm daily you may join the Queen and her Ladies in waiting for tea ($9.95 with limited seating) while throughout the day artisans and merchants tempt you with unique gifts, jewelry, pottery, blown glass, hand dipped candles, pewter and leather goods. In all, there are over 160 arts and crafts booths.

So gentle traveler, fear not. Your weekend get-away is at hand. You may enjoy the pleasures of the Renaissance and an array of Medieval activities for mere coppers. Best of all, the "faire" is destined to be around for a long time. In 2004, the Kansas City Renaissance Festival signed a long-term lease with the "Lord of the Land" so the village will remain safely in the shire for the next 20 years. Forsooth, 'tis good news!

For more information:
Kansas City Renaissance Festival
(800) 373-0357
www.kcrenfest.com

Kansas City Renaissance Festival is Jolly Good Fun, copyright 2008, Pamela Watson. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without written permission from the author.