Before the gates to the The Castle open and tickets are taken, people file past a troupe of Belly Dancers, their zills clinking in unison while drummers play in the background. King Henry VIII is on a small stage with guards and an entourage. The queen should be approaching the stage anytime. It's part of the show to "reverance," to bow when the actors approach.
Knights in chain mail, join characters in ornate fabric standing next to people in more modern jackets and hoodys on this cool Sunday morning. There's a couple dressed as barbarians watching from behind horned, leather helmets.
During the fair, The Castle in Muskogee becomes Castleton, a bordertown between England and Scotland in the year 1539.
I met elaborately designed characters at the fair, some adopting character names and accents with varying degrees of zeal. The line blurs between cast members, merchants, artisans and enthusiastic patrons, but there are hundreds of people in costume on an average day at Castleton.
People come for a variety of reasons, fans of history, folklore, people looking for family entertainment, an education in a part of history or just looking to dress up and het swept up in the fun of the fair, says Tess Nichols, an Assistant Manager at The Castle. "Our festival is known for the high quality of street interaction," she says. Nothing happens behind velvet ropes. Actors and artists talk with members of the public about their trade or their favorite part of history.
The Renaissance Fair at The Castle will continue every weekend through June 2, with special ceremonies and emphasis on Mother's Day and Memorial Day.
Miles Udwin, of Tulsa, holds a turkey leg while visiting the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee on Sunday, May 5, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Thomas Ball, who plays Franz Uberdorc, wears an ornate hat during the opening gate ceremonies as the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee, begins on Sunday, May 5, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Ernie Cox, of Tulsa, holds his knight's helmet during the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee on Sunday, May 5, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Terry Jenkins works as a blacksmith during the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee on Sunday, May 5, 2013. Jenkins has been a blacksmith for 13 years. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Cassondra Walker, the leader of a Raks Al Hassana, a belly dancing group, plays small cymbals called "zills" outside the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee on Sunday, May 5, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
A necklace and ornate material make up a costume during the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee on Sunday, May 5, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Chain mail worn by a knight during the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee on Sunday, May 5, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
Mike "Okie" Lytal, works a game during the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee on Sunday, May 5, 2013. An interest in history led to 17 years of participating in different Renaissance festivals. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
"Bernard Hackman" is the executioner of the village at The Castle of Muskogee during the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival on Sunday, May 5, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
King Henry VIII, played by John Auld, kisses a womans hand after conversation during the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee on Sunday, May 5, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
William Howard, a "Ranger" mans the VIP parking lot outside the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival at The Castle of Muskogee on Sunday, May 5, 2013. JOHN CLANTON/Tulsa World
