Sarasota Medieval Fair returns this weekend

It's like stepping back into the good old days, if your idea of the good old days is the 14th century.

Specifically, 1314 A.D. in Scotland. That's the focal point of this year's Sarasota Medieval Fair. It's the 12th annual edition of the popular fair, and its three-week run gets started Saturday in the Ringling Woods at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. The designated year and location offers a chance for the fair to revel in kilts, bagpipers and haggis, but colorful displays of royal pageantry and peasantry are also planned for the temporary village.

You're welcome to just come and observe, and the there will be lots of experienced actors and other performers there to make sure you're entertained. But you're invited to be a little more active by wearing period costumes of your own.

The Knights of Valour, as seen on the History Channel, will perform full-contact jousting each weekend. Other stage shows include the naughty Washing Well Wenches, Aaron Bonk's Fire Whip Sword Show, the Great Scott! Hypnosis Show, Bones Medieval Mysteries and more.

The Medieval Fair is designed to be a family event, so there will be plenty of activities for everyone from the kids to the grown-ups. There's bawdy humor from a group called the Wishing Well Wenches, and there's a children's realm that will be home to story times, costume dress-up, a play area, and, on the fair's last weekend, a visit from Father Christmas.

New to the festival this year is the Children's Realm with kid-centric improv games including kid jousting, children's caber toss and sheep herding (with the fair's cast portraying sheep).

Details: Nov. 7-22, Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tickets: $17.95 adults, $15.95 students, seniors, military, $8.95 children 5-12. Season pass $52.95.Information: 888-303-3247, sarasotamedievalfair.com.

-- Marty Clear

This story was originally published November 4, 2015 at 5:42 PM with the headline "Sarasota Medieval Fair returns this weekend ."