By JOHN BENSON

Special to The Gazette

Turning back the clock (a lot!) is what the Western Reserve Masonic Community is doing once again when it brings back the King Henry’s Touring Company for its third annual Renaissance Faire, which takes place Oct. 4 and 5 at its Medina Township location.

“It’s an annual event that we started to just give back to the community,” said Roberta Gifford, Western Reserve Masonic Community executive assistant. “One of the feelings of the Western Reserve Masonic Community is to give back to the community as much as possible, and this is one way we can do this by hosting this event. It’s free and everyone can come and enjoy.”

Among the medieval attractions faire-goers can expect to experience firsthand are jousting knights on horseback, fire breathers, a crafts market, musicians, archery and more. “There is the Ye Old World Café and they have turkey legs and funnel cakes,” Gifford said. “And then at 3 p.m. Sunday, anyone who comes in costume, there will be a contest judged by (WKYC-TV) ‘Good Company’ host Fred Griffith.

“This costume contest is brand-new. While all of the Western Reserve Masonic Community employees are in costume, the last couple of years we’ve had people come in costume to the Renaissance Faire and we didn’t even ask them to. So this year the people can come in a costume from the period, and they will be judged with prizes awarded.”

For the kids, a children’s puppet theater show is scheduled with the Dragon Lady presenting her popular baby dinosaur show. “She does this presentation where this baby dinosaur hatches out of an egg and interacts with the children,” Gifford said. “They just love it.”

A fun yet educational event is why Gifford said people keep on returning to the Western Reserve Masonic Community’s Renaissance Faire.

“I’d say last year we had about 3,000 people here over the two-day event,” Gifford said. “Last year was bigger than the first year, and we hope to have more this year than last as word gets out.”

She added, “So I’d just say join us for some fun, family entertainment as we step back about 500 years into the days of yore.”

The third annual Renaissance Faire takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4 and noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Western Reserve Masonic Community, 4931 Nettleton Rd., Medina Township. For more information, call 330-721-3000.

Benson may be reached at ididhear@aol.com.