You know it is not a normal fairground weekend when the costumes start appearing before you even reach the main gates. Inside, nearly 150 merchants help turn the grounds into a medieval village, and the usual fairground scene suddenly feels like another century.
This Arkansas festival puts armored combat in the arena while live performances keep the day moving. Rows of booths can easily keep visitors wandering longer than planned.
You do not need a costume to join in, either. Plenty of people simply show up and see where the afternoon takes them…