Hear ye all students. Travel into the past and frolic with singing maidens and men in shining armor, or if you prefer, men in tights.

The fifth annual Iowa Renaissance will be performing their second weekend of entertainment this weekend at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The festival is cast in a Italian and French setting of the 1520s.

But be prepared for some hands on fun. These people won’t let you just wander around. Your participation in the antics is pretty much mandatory. Even the birds want you to have a good time.

One parrot, known as B.A., for Bad Attitude, will try to lure you into conversation, but don’t expect to get beyond, “Hi. Hello. Hello.” Once he draws you over to his little corner of the festivities, he’ll start mumbling and you won’t be able to understand what he is saying.

If you go, expect to feel transported into a fantasy land, or at least feel a little off kilter. If you feel left out, you can show up in costume and participate in the costume contest.

If one contest just isn’t enough, you can also register to win a $1,500 airfare gift certificate to Europe. Tickets are $1 each.

According to Greg Schmidt, coordinator of the event, about 5,000 people came to the festival last weekend and he is expecting 7,000 people this weekend. He said Responses have been positive so far.

The Des Moines Convention Visitors Bureau lists the event in their visitors guide and calendar of events.

“The Renaissance Festival is well established and is a great addition to what’s being offered in the fall,” said Annette Hacker, director of communications at the Des Moines Convention Visitors Bureau.

The entertainment includes comedy theater, jugglers, comic village characters, games of chance, craft demonstrations, jousting, merchants and vendors.

If all that isn’t enough, there is also “exotic” food and drink.

One of the better known acts is the armored duel, performed by the Med Knight Court from Kansas City. Both knights wear full metal armor and fight in such a realistic manor that last Saturday Robert Trupp, one of the knights, dislocated his shoulder.

Tickets are $7.50 at the gate or $6 in advance, and are available at Big Table Books. ISU students can get in for $5 if you buy your ticket at the gate and show your ISU card. The Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. rain or shine.