Blessed with unseasonably pleasant weather, even by Southwest Florida's lofty standards, the weekend brings the start of a popular family-friendly event to the area. It further offers the perfect escape for those less inclined to sit on the couch and watch playoff football. Running from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., the Riverdale Kiwanis Medieval-Faire kicks off on Saturday, Jan. 12, at Lakes Regional Park in Fort Myers.
This annual festival proudly boasts of continuous entertainment, which is designed to offer a look into the distant past. Exciting attractions include jousting, juggling, magic shows, combat chess, sword-fighting, rides, arts and crafts, and various children's activities. If prepared to embrace the throwback spirit, attendees should be ready to hear and use words like "ye," "methinks," and "thou" liberally. Furthermore, with merry music scattered across numerous stages, plenty of tasty food and beverages will be available.
All facets of the two weekend festival present visitors with themes and characters representing Europe's Middle Ages. In fact, many acts from the show travel the country to portray these roles that offer the audience a virtual journey back in time. With the majority of customs echoing the broad period between 500 A.D. and 1500 A.D., similar events are often called Renaissance Festivals, though that era more accurately only includes the latter part of those thousand years.
The Medieval-Faire will continue with the same hours on Sunday, Jan. 13, and re-start the following weekend on January 19-20. For those truly interesting in embracing a bolder lifestyle of the past, primitive camping sites are even available. Adult tickets are priced at $15, while admission for children between 5 and 12 years of age is only $5. Kids under 5 are free and parking is also complementary.
As the primary fund-raiser for the local Riverdale Kiwanis Club, proceeds from these weekends of fun benefit needy individuals throughout Lee County. The global organization was originally founded in 1915 and possesses nearly 250,000 members. The Kiwanis Club has a stated motto of "Serving the Children of the World" and nobly aims to improve quality of life worldwide.
Lakes Regional Park is located at 7330 Gladiolus Drive, just east of Tamiami Trail, in South Fort Myers. The facility is easily accessible from Interstate 75 by using the Daniels Parkway exit. For further information, visit the Riverdale Kiwanis Medieval-Faire website.
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