From Knaves to Knights

Sunset Park will be awash in knights, knaves, fairies, wizards and wenches this weekend, and it won't be an unfortunate after-effect of having imbibed some bad mead.

It will just be the usual crowd of medieval-minded enthusiasts gathering for the 16th annual edition of Clark County's Age of Chivalry Renaissance Festival.

The festival, which runs from Friday through Sunday, will feature live entertainment, costumed performers, vendors, jousting tournaments and more than 100 artisans demonstrating everything from blacksmithing to perfume blending.

Brian Saliba, program administrator for Clark County Parks and Recreation, says the event typically draws between 30,000 and 35,000 people from Southern Nevada and throughout the country.

"It's an eclectic mix," Saliba adds, that includes Dungeons & Dragons devotees, historical re-enactors, Goths, fantasy enthusiasts, fairyphiles and students of Celtic history.

In addition, the fair features "a unique little melting pot of entertainers and performers," Saliba notes.

Among those scheduled to appear this year are theater groups presenting short plays, strolling minstrels, contortionists, magicians, storytellers, jokers, jugglers, pirates, flame eaters, sword swallowers, belly dancers and historical guilds that deal in candle-making, yarn-spinning and other trades.

Also on this year's roster of events is a royal parade on Saturday and Sunday with kings, queens, warriors and peasants; gladiator battles; black powder demonstrations; bow and arrow and axe games; and medieval barber and surgeon demonstrations.

Souvenirs and craft items can be purchased in the vendors' village, while, in the 16th Century Village, German, Italian, Ottoman Turk, French, Celtic, Polish and British military encampments will meet on the Field of Honor in battle.

Dining options range from fish and chips to, Saliba says, a six-course feast with "live interactive entertainment. They serve you and they sing and dance and play."

Headlining on the fair's main stage this year are The Prodigals from New York, Salt Lake City-based Swagger and Las Vegas' The Wild Celts.

Walter O'Douling of The Wild Celts says the primary difference between the band's lounge, casino and pub gigs and the Age of Chivalry festival is that, at the former, audience members usually aren't wearing costumes.

Given that, O'Douling jokes, "we're looking forward to seeing all of the fair maidens."

"Really, there is a great kind of buzz to be out there playing, because it's such a huge stage," he says. "We're just delighted to be a part of it and we're very proud of the fact that we do get asked to do it."

Also appearing will be self-described "bawdy juggler" Adam Reid of Los Angeles, who has been appearing at the festival since its creation.

"From the very beginning it's always been a popular event and, granted, I measure that by audience satisfaction," he says. "I've always had a great time at the Age of Chivalry fair and so has my audience."

When he's not performing, Reid becomes just another guest, and says he appreciates the "big value" the event offers.

"You get a lot of shows, historical guilds re-enacting their little niche in society, you have Celtic bands all day and all night, and you have entertainers like myself," he says.

"Where else for a small price do you get all of that and the experience of leaving your daily life behind you? You're entertained, and it's something completely different."

Carry-in food or beverages, pets, lawn chairs and weapons are prohibited inside the festival area. Patrons may bring one sealed bottle of water. Costumed participants must have all related props or weapons peace tied.

And, Saliba adds, "carpooling is strongly recommended."

Contact reporter John Przybys at jprzybys@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0280.