The Medieval Faire is coming back to the High River Ag grounds during the Canada Day long weekend.
Local organizers, brothers Ryan and Warren Neilson, are really jacking up the event this year. Warren said it'll be way bigger and better than last year.
"The turnout last year was so spectacular that we wanted to really ramp it up this year, so we booked the indoor as well and really went for just trying to double the size and really bring in a lot more entertainment and whatnot for the spectators."
With the Faire and Heavy Armoured Combat tournament being very well received in its debut year, they have decided to expand the fun, food and festivities.
"We've brought the jousters this year, we've included an indoor market, and the tournament is moving inside this year as well."
That's right, they're bringing jousting to the event this year.
The jousting will take place outdoors at the High River Ag grounds on the track, while the Heavy Armoured Combat tournament is held indoors in the riding arena.
Warren explains, "We will have the Society of the Tilted Lance coming this year. They will be where the tournament was held last year in front of the grandstand is where the jousters are going to be this year, running a few shows a day. We'll make sure we have the times when those shows are going to be happening posted up for all the spectators to get a chance to go out there and watch it happen."
There will be two markets, one indoor and one outdoor, and they're bringing more food trucks too.
"The outdoor market, the outdoor beer gardens and the outdoor food trucks will remain the same as last year. We have a few more vendors this year, so it should hopefully increase in size with a little bit more variety for everybody. We have also opened up an indoor market. We will also have an indoor beer garden this year, so there will be one for outdoors and one for indoors. We will be having mead vendors on site as well for people if they want to purchase some bottles to take home later."
There will also be more team or group fighting this year. Two women participated last year, and Warren knows there are more within the Foothills and is anticipating that there will be more women competing this time.
You can also cheer on the hometown team, which the brothers Neilson formed a few years ago, called the Arverni Legion.
Find out more on the following websites: Arverni Legion or Medieval Entertainment Canada. You can also find them on Facebook.
All the added value won't mean an increase in the price of tickets.
"We've included a few more options this year. Children, five and under, are free, children 12 and under and seniors are $10, and adults are still $15."
You can get your tickets online here.