CONTACT:  Linda Linn (405) 288-2536

For Immediate Release

NORMAN, OK – The 31^st annual Medieval Fair is scheduled for March 30, March 31 and April 1 at Reaves Park in Norman. This living history fair features more than 200 art and craft booths, food concessions, games, educational exhibits, craft demonstrations and a vast array of entertainment. Brightly costumed performers entertaining in the true style of the Middle Ages include minstrels, jugglers, dancers, and armored knights in combat. Entertainment includes Calliope House, Donal Hinely (glass harmonica), Scottish Rogues, Harmless T Jester, Brother Donald the Storyteller, Queen’s Gambit, armored combat, traditional and international dancers, Norman Singers and The Jolly Rogers. 

Highlights of the Fair include jousting tournaments presented by the Arthurian Order of Avalon with knights on horseback, scheduled for 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. each day, and a Human Chess Game scheduled for 1 and 5 p.m. each day. Performances are continuous on six stages. Games for all ages include camel and elephant rides, a hand-cranked medieval swing carousel, wax hands, face-painting, and a carousel driven by llamas, zebras and ponies.

Craft demonstrations of brass rubbing, blacksmithing, chainmaille making, soap making, woodworking, and armor-making will be presented.  Educational exhibits and presentations about life in the Middle Ages and Scottish heritage will be offered. The

Fair’s Royal Court will greet visitors along with other street characters such as a beggar, a Living Tree, the King’s Toy, King Arthur, mermaids and strolling minstrels. Demonstrations and activities will be presented by the Society for Creative Anachronism, the University of Central Oklahoma Medieval Society, St. Gregory’s University, and the School of Stage Combat.  The public is invited to enter the costume contest scheduled for 2:30 on Saturday and Sunday at the Camelot Stage.  Prizes will be awarded to the best costumes in man, woman and child categories. 

     Food concessions offer homemade fruit and chicken salad crepes,  Indian tacos, funnel cakes, cinnamon roasted almonds, roasted corn and smoked turkey legs. Handcrafted root beer, sarsaparilla and cream soda will also be available.

     Free parking 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. A shuttle will run from the parking lot to the fair on Saturday and Sunday. The bus will pick up fairgoers at a bus stop located at the center of the parking lot on the south side of Imhoff Rd. Parking for vehicles with handicap permits will be available on the park grounds.  People bringing their dogs are advised that the leash and pooper scoop laws will be enforced on the park grounds.

            The park is located on Jenkins Avenue north of Highway 9 East and one block north of Lloyd Noble Center. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

    The Medieval Fair is the fourth largest event in the state and the state’s largest weekend event.  It was selected by Events Media Network as one of the top 100 events in the nation. It 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. You may also visit the Fair’s Web site: www.medievalfair.org.