The Minnesota Renaissance Festival - August and September in Shakopee

We arrived at a castle, flanked by a pirate ship, a battalion of horses in armor, and a store selling "Wenches Want Me" shirts. We were greeted by a knave who serenaded us with Frank Sinatra. Where in the world? The Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

Out in ye olde Shakopee, there be a medieval village filled with the aforementioned wenches, vagabonds, knights, wizards, faeries, hobbits, morris dancers, belly dancers with snakes, and everyone putting on their finest British accents. There's live armored jousting by knights on horseback who battle for the crowd thrice daily, and jugglers, jesters, fire walkers, comics and musicians who entertain almost constantly. The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is very good value for money.

This is one of the few places you might feel underdressed if you aren't wearing leather britches or fairy wings. Here's resources for making RenFest costumes, and images of outfits from Renaissance Fairs around the country for inspiration from About.com's guide to DIY Fashion.

Whether you get dressed up or not, it's always a rollicking good time at the Renaissance Festival.

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is an annual event, starting in late August, and opening every weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, until late September or early October. The festival is also open on Labor Day and selected other dates.

Opening hours, directions and more information at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival website.