[dropcap]Explore[/dropcap] an ancient kingdom come alive at the 41st annual Medieval Fair in Norman, where one can find anything and everything pertaining to the Middle Ages in a single three-day event. This includes live musical entertainment, jousting shows, human chess games, artisan booths, food vendors and so much more.
Although the fair is now a major cultural staple in Oklahoma, it’s an unlikely source that’s to thank for the fair’s humble beginnings.
“The Medieval Fair was originally a one-day event held on the south oval of the University of Oklahoma for the English department,” says Ann Marie Eckart, director of the fair. “By its fourth year, the fair had outgrown the space available on the campus.” It then transferred to OU’s Duck Pond, but soon it outgrew that space, too. In 2003, the fair transferred again to Reaves Park and now welcomes more than 300,000 visitors each year.
The fair is more than just a lively event to attend on a weekend, however. As the fair is closely tied to the university, educational aspects are important features.
“The fair has continued to expand its educational mission to ignite the spark of curiosity that leads to lifelong learning through educational entertainment,” Eckart says. “In recent years, the fair has partnered with OU’s Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies to provide a free public lecture series on a variety of subjects pertaining to the Middle Ages.”
The Medieval Fair runs March 31-April 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Visit medievalfair.org for details.
