Renaissance Festival Is Almost History

Want to go to the Bay Area Renaissance Festival, an annual tradition that offers games, rides, shows, shopping and jousting in a village setting?

You'd better hurry. This is the final weekend.

That means it's your last chance to catch the 2012 version of the festival, including favorites such as the Mud Show, the Washing Well Wenches and a variety of music acts. There's also magic, juggling, tale-telling, games of skill and other events that entertained crowds 500 years ago. While you can certainly spend money there, the festival has enough free entertainment-- scheduled on different stages throughout the grounds-- to keep you busy for several hours. The performers remain in character, too, and many wander around greeting fair-goers and posing for photos. Many attendees dress up as well (though that's not required) so the atmosphere of the festival is about as authentic as you'll get in modern-day Tampa.

You can indulge your inner royalty with appropriate food and drink, as mead and turkey legs take their place alongside modern fare. Shopping is also popular, with rows of vendors selling everything from Renaissance-style clothing to leather goods, pottery, blown glass, jewelry and incense. Throw in face painting, Henna tattoos and Tarot card readings, and you have a full day ahead of you.

But there are only two of those days left; it all ends this weekend. The Bay Area Renaissance Festival is located at 11315 N. 46th St., on the grounds of the Museum of Science & Industry. It runs from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets are $18.95 for adults, $10.95 for children ages 5-12, and $14.95 for seniors 62 and older. For more information, visit www.bayarearenaissancefest.com.