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Aldergrove transformed by Renaissance Festival

The city travels back in time to 1509
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Jousters will jockey for the crown at the Renaissance Festival coming to Aldergrove Fair Days July 27-29.

The familiar fairground smells of cotton candy, pop and hot dogs will mingle with that of Cornish pasties, spotted dick and grog this summer at the Aldergrove Fair Days.

And, alongside the tractor pull competitions there will be armoured men mounted atop valiant steeds, running into each other with pointed sticks in an event called jousting.

That?s because this July the annual festival here will combine forces with a medieval re-enactment society to present B.C.'s first Renaissance Festival.

Under the banner of Medieval Madness, the two organizations are collaborating on making this a country fair with a difference.

The Society of Tilt and Lance Cavalry, based in Calgary, will be providing the jousting tournament entertainment inside a recreated medieval village called Steller?s Grove, that will be set up alongside the Aldergrove Days fairgrounds at South Aldergrove Park.

?RenFest? society members will be in full costume, set circa the 16th century, and acting out their roles. The village fool, wenches, monks and nuns, pub master, squires, a lord and lady, smiths, and the like will wander the property during the day. You can talk to them and take pictures with them. These folks have welcomed you into their village for the day and expect you to be merry.

Vendors also get into the atmosphere by dressing up. After all, they are merchants of the village and seek payment in the coin of the realm ? meaning no credit cards, please.

Musicians and jugglers will perform in the style of the time and guests are invited to join the daily pub sings.

The story-line for the weekend of July 27-29 is posted on the society's website, http://www.bcrenfest.ca and guests are invited to dress up and choose a supporting role if they desire. The year is 1509, Henry VIII has succeeded his father as the King of England, and has ordered a census to be taken, but the connivings of townspeople and the invading pirates of the Jade Dragon play havoc with the royal pomp and circumstance.

It will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day of the fair, and admission is $10 adult or $7 for child or senior.

This year a country fair with a real difference

The Aldergrove Agricultural Association, the Aldergrove Festival Days Society and the B.C. Rennaissance Festival are working together to bring Medieval Madness to the 2007 Aldergrove Fair Days. The spectacular event begins Friday, July 27, and continues July 28 and 29 at South Aldergrove Park and Kinsmen Community Centre in Aldergrove.

Events will be spread over the South Aldergrove Park fields with the Renaissance Festival Jousting and Tractor Pull events, the Agricultural Association's Fair in the Aldergrove?Community Secondary area, a midway, entertainment, chili cook-off, vendors, Kids Zone and displays over the Kinsmen Centre and fields area.

The 95th annual Aldergrove Agricultural Association's Fair will provide crafts, exhibits, petting zoo, 4-H demonstrations, educational displays, silent auction, canning and baking and more. The Fair's Antique Tractor Pull will provide demonstrations ? agritourism at its finest.

The Aldergrove Festival Days Society Parade takes place downtown on the Saturday morning, with a 10 a.m. start. You can enter your community group or business in the parade by checking the website.

There will be a spectacular fireworks display set to music on the Saturday at 10 p.m., a midway and rides provided by West Coast Amusements, Kidszone, a Talent Contest, the annual Chili Cookoff sponsored by Curves, Bike Decorating, five Entertainment Stages and plenty of food vendors and displays. The live entertainment starts Friday night and runs all day Saturday and Sunday with the likes of The Higgins, Aimee Pettersen, Mike Battie Children's Stage Show, Gabby?s Dance Team, Smith and Jones, Aldergrove Fair Days Talent Contest, Roswell Band, Sweet Max, 32nd Avenue Band, and more.

The B.C. Rennaissance Festival is thrilled to be hosting the first-ever Rennaissance Festival in British Columbia here in Aldergrove. There will be a Medieval Town set up, a Medieval Tavern, a Labyrinth Maze and plenty of vendors, entertainment and concessions for your pleasure. A wonderful story line for fairgoers to follow, set in the year 1509, is available on their website.

Also their jousters are coming for the first-ever public joust in British Columbia. The Society of Tilt and Lance Cavalry are coming from Calgary, and this is full contact insanity. Opponents don 100 pounds of stainless steel armour, grab a hardwood lance and gallop toward each other on horseback. Ouch! That's definitely got to hurt.

Aldergrove is gearing up for these events with the Business Dress Up contest and organizers invite all local businesses to enter this year with a Medieval Madness theme. Dress-up for the theme includes wenches, ladies? medieval or renaissance gowns, nobles, pirates and even Hobbits. Men can try their faces as nobles, knights or fencers.

The Fair will also be presenting the Hilda Reddick Memorial Community Service Award and Youth Award.

Organizers invite everyone to come out and enjoy the Fair. The Fair is offering something new this year, a weekend pass rate, a discounted Friday night rate, student and senior discounts, and for children 12 and under admission is free.

The BC RenFest area admission is $10 daily, with discounts for students and seniors. A unique and spectacular weekend of entertainment.

Look over the website and links for registrations for events, and links to B.C. Renaissance?and events:www.aldergrovefairdays.com. For volunteer information call Mike 604-351-1175, Karen 604-418-9507.