Prepare to step back in time about 500 years.
The fifth-annual Great Bend Renaissance Festival takes place this weekend on the grounds of the Great Bend Zoo. It runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and admission is $6 for adults and $3 for those 5 and up. Kids under five are free.
“This is a lot of fun,” said fest organizer David LeRoy of the family-friendly event. “There is something for people of all ages.”
After five years, LeRoy said people stop him on the street and ask about the fair. “Folks sort of expect it.”
This marks the second year the event would be held at the zoo. It had been at the Barton County Expo Complex west of town, but the in-town location worked better, LeRoy said.
“It is growing every year,” he said. It is finally breaking even as it becomes an annual tradition.
With this in mind, “we have a lot of new acts coming this weekend,” he said.
Among these are magician and illusionist Augie  J. Magic, comic improvisation artists Evengard, bagpiper Ian Briggs, a group that does fire and belly dancing, and a fighting group called Lyonesse that does battles and demonstrations with foam swords.
But, this is not all, LeRoy said. There will also be historical reenactments, and venders selling refreshments and crafts.
In addition, the group Chivalry for Children will give lessons on knighthood and hold daily knighting for kids.