Sunday, April 3, 2011

Medieval Fair Brings a Timeless Escape to Norman


The scene looked as if it were a University of Oklahoma football game day this weekend as large crowds gather at Reaves Park in Norman to relive the medieval times. 

People stretched for miles away from Reaves park; however, replace the sea of crimson and cream and tailgaters with a sea of medieval costumes and vendors, as it was a different crowd at this time of year. 

"I love when [the medieval fair] comes to town...it offers an escape from the daily grind of classes and homework," Emily Blasdel, Studio Arts junior said. 

The faire offered thirty-five vendors and six stages to keep the journey back to the medieval times alive. 

"There were fox tails and rabbit ears, turkey legs and fried pickles, music and medieval dancing, and of course elephant riding," Elliot Hale, Geography senior said.


Performers play songs from the Medieval times. 
PHOTO: Courtesy medievalfair.org

The highlights of the fair included jousting knights on horseback and the intense human chess games that occurred on a daily basis. 

The Medieval fair has been an annual event in Norman since 1977 and boasts to be the state's largest weekend event and the third largest event in Oklahoma, according to www.medievalfair.org. 

The fair offers fun for all ages as there is a large variety of food and drink, games, face painting, and several performances throughout the weekend.

"This would have been really fun to go to when I was a kid, I would bring my family with me if it were in my hometown," Blasdel said. 


Crowds gather around the human chess game. 
PHOTO: courtesy Kyle Phillips, Norman Transcript

The fair ran three consecutive days, living the timeless classic between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. It also offered free parking in all areas around Reaves park. 

"This was my first time to attend, and it definitely will not be my last," Gianna Barolin, International Area Studies junior said. 

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