Two hours into the event, already nearly 100 people had visited the Great Bend Renaissance Fair on Saturday.  It was an encouraging start to the event’s fourth year.  Steady growth allowed organizer David LeRoy to request a smaller grant from the city than years past, as the fair begins to cover its own expenses.  
“We hope it continues to grow,” said Dan Heath, owner of A440 Musical Instruments, a vendor at the fair.  “This location is great, and the fall is a much more pleasant time to hold it.”  
In years past, the fair was held in August, and heat was an issue.  But Saturday, mild sunny weather prevailed.  
In addition to artisans and vendors, some of whom have also set-up at larger fairs like Wichita and Kansas City, and some local, the Great Bend Public Library manned a booth at the event where faces were transformed with colorful flowers, insects, and magical creatures.  Crafts created by teens who take part in the library’s teen spot activities will be available for purchase also.  All proceeds will go to support further teen spot activities.
Heath, who also teaches drama at Great Bend High School, encouraged students from the Great Bend High School Drama Company to attend dressed as colorful characters.  A costume contest was held mid-afternoon, and another is planned for 1:30 p.m. today.
Magicians, jugglers of swords and twirlers of flaming torches were on hand to amaze a captivated audience.  Ian Briggs, bagpiper from Wichita, arrived in authentic Scottish kilt and played ‘Scotland the Brave,’ ‘The Wearing of the Green’ and other traditional bagpipe tunes throughout the event.  Performers will make encore performances throughout the day Sunday.   
Royalty from Wichita’s Great Plains Renaissance Festival included King Axel Hans Von Kleinstadt and queen Catherine, Princess Beatrice and Tariq Al Adin, as well as guards York and Ethelstan .  They visited the various booths, greeted visitors, and held court in their field tent.  They will provide instruction in chivalry for children daily at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and at 4 p.m.  
“Even today, with the Internet and other incredible forms of mass communication and entertainment, the world of knights, with their tales of courtesy and chivalry still exert a powerful influence on the minds and imaginations of children of all ages,” King Von Kleinstadt said.  
The fair continues through today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the north side of the Brit Spaugh Zoo.