Visit to Renaissance Faire is a journey to days gone by
BY PATRICIA YOCZIS Correspondent

LAKEWOOD - Travel back in time to the Middle Ages and witness knights in shining armor, damsels in distress, jousts on charging war horses, and hand-to-hand combat with medieval weapons at the 26th annual Charity Renaissance Faire, Sept.15-16.

The Renaissance Faire will be held at Pine Park, Country Club Drive and County Line Road, Lakewood. Hours are Sept.15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sept.16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $1 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are admitted free.

An up-close and personal view of medieval life and activities will be presented by the partnership of the Lakewood Lions Club and the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA).

"The Renaissance Faire has something for every family member to enjoy," said Don Alemany, Lakewood, who co-chairs the event with Gordon Frank, Howell. "Not only is it enjoyable, but you can learn about the history and the people of the medieval period."

He said the historical significance and authenticity of the fair is the realm of the SCA, a re-enactment society that researches and recreates the Middle Ages. The SCA is involved with the time period of Western Civilization before 1600 AD.

Alemany said the SCA re-enactors will be dressed in period garb and will use the speech and vocabulary of the time. The joust will not be staged, but an actual demonstration tournament with weapons and armor, he said.

"Visitors to the fair will see the Knights of Valour jousting and world champion jouster Shane Adams, as well as other jousters from Australia, Canada and the United States compete," Alemany said.

Archers will demonstrate the English long bow, while other knights will defend their honor in hand-to-hand combat."

Children's games and activities will be available. On Sept. 16 a king and queen of the faire will be selected from among children age 10 and under who dress in period costume. Everyone who enters the contest will receive a prize.

Visitors to the faire will be able to test their skill with the bow, axe and knife. Special targets in a safe area will be used, Alemany said.

"We are very concerned about safety," he said. "The instructors and members of the SCA are experienced demonstrators. The only injuries that have happened so far as I know among visitors were some bee stings."

Away from the jousting area, a medieval village will be constructed and many merchants will offer wares and demonstrate arts and crafts of the Middle Ages. For those who wish to travel back to the 21st century for a while, present day food will be available.

According to Alemany, last year's faire attendance was 7,500 people. He hopes to surpass that total this year and has set a target of raising $25,000 to donate to various Lions charities and projects.

"This is our one and only charity event of the year," he said. "We are grateful for the support of everyone that makes it possible year after year, especially the township of Lakewood and its public works department, as well as the Ocean County Board of Tourism. Everyone who attends the fair helps many charities, too."

Alemany said the charities that will benefit this year include a scholarship program for graduating seniors at Lakewood High School, the Deborah Heart and Lung Hospital, the Eye Institute of New Jersey, eye clinics at local hospitals, and The Ladacin Network that helps persons afflicted with cerebral palsy.

This year, the Lakewood Lions Club was greatly honored by receiving the 2007 Humanitarian of the Year Award presented by The Ladacin Network.

"We serve those who are in need," Alemany said.

For more information or directions to the Renaissance Faire call (732) 905-1065 or visit www.lakewoodrenfair.com.