The Medieval Fair

Norman turns back clock for annual medieval fair

By James S. Tyree
Staff Writer

NORMAN — The Medieval Fair returns to Norman this weekend to stimulate the imagination, teach values such as chivalry and honor, and offer youth camaraderie and a positive place to go.

It's not so bad for the thousands of people who visit the fair, either.

The Medieval Fair started in 1976 and has grown to become the third-largest event in Oklahoma and the state's biggest weekend celebration, organizers said. More than 300,000 people of all ages attend each year, and an economic study shows they spend more than $5.5 million at the fair.

The Medieval Fair's biggest impact, though, may be on the performers. Some belong to the Royal Court, while others participate in the Arthurian Order of Avalon, where most members are teenagers and young adults who have found a "home” in Camelot.

They dress in medieval-period clothing and participate in the human chess game, jousting, dances and other fair activities. And they have fun doing it.

Cody Clark, an original member from the late 1970s, said the group's mission goes deeper than that.

"We use our shows to get teenagers involved,” Clark said. "We're strict about living by chivalry, courtesy and honor. The rules are — there is no smoking, drinking or cussing, and they must keep good grades — and they do it because this is something they want to do.”

They also learn skills associated with the time period, from swordplay to making all their own clothes. And according to the Order's bylaws, three of its board members must be under 21

In 1999, Tim McCoy-Washington tagged along with an older sister on her audition for the chessboard. The 12-year-old was impressed, so he joined the Order not long afterward.

"I felt a sense of camaraderie and fell in love with that group,” he said, "and I've spent the last eight years of my life giving those same experiences to other kids.”

Daniel James Garrison, 17, is a Norman High School student who joined the group because "I've always been good with the stage and making people laugh.” He has played several characters over the years, including an apprentice to a fool.

"I don't know how much lower you can get than that,” he quipped. This year, Garrison gets the meatier role of Mordred, a son of King Arthur who wants to kill his father.

"(Arthurian Order of Avalon) has probably been one of the best organizations for youth I've ever been in,” Garrison said. "They're very friendly, you learn special skills and you learn how to treat others.”

The organization also helps groups and individuals around Oklahoma that need resources on medieval times. Linda Linn, the Medieval Fair's public relations contact, said the group performs at feasts, libraries and for various organizations.

At other times, people call for information, and those requests have no bounds.

"One person called and asked, ‘Do you know where I can get a boar's head?'” Linn recalled.

There will be no such request this weekend at the Royal Court, a separate, University of Oklahoma-based entity of adults that involves the Medieval Fair's king and his court.

Ron DeLuca, chief architect for the state of Oklahoma, is the king this year, and his duties will include knighting an estimated 300 to 500 young people this weekend.