The Des Moines Renaissance Faire is headed back for its sixth annual festival.
 The faire is held each year in celebration of an era of jousting and royalty.
 Dating back to 2006, the Renaissance Faire takes place at Festival Park that will open this year at Sleepy Hollow Sports Park on Sept. 2. The sports facility has become the faire’s permanent home in central Iowa.
 The festivities run for three weekends starting on Labor Day weekend and running for two more weekends after that.
 Within the 16-acre park, there are many options to choose from. With over 50 specialty shops, the coronation at the Royal Court, knights jousting and demonstrations from artisans like glass blowers and painters, there is always something to do.
 With the help of costumes, the weekends are spent bringing the Middle Ages back to life. Overlooking the area, the Marick Castle sets the scenery of Renaissance Europe. 
 “My favorite part is the fairies,” junior Grace Hart said. “I love their wings and they have to go the whole day without speaking.”
 Hart says she attends the faire every year and dresses up whenever she can find something period to wear.
 According to dmrenfaire.com, the merchants offer the finest in jewelry, weaponry, leather goods, candles, clothing, chocolates and more.
 A wide variety of food is available, from baked goods to smoked meats.
 Main attractions take place on and around the eight stages. Whether it be comedians, musicians, jugglers, pirates or belly dancers, live entertainment isn’t hard to come by. Included in the faire are games and man-powered carnival rides.
 “There are a ton of things to do and see,” Hart said. “The staff will have mud fights and at the royal court they pick people to have a live joust.”
 Pricing for a full day from 10 a.m to 6 p.m (rain or shine) is free for children under the age of five, $8 for kids ages 5-12 and $16 for adults.
 Adults have the option of purchasing a two-day pass for $25.
 A season pass is offered for all seven days of the faire for $35. Military discounts are half of the original price.
 Parking one the grounds is $1 per vehicle. All live shows are included in the price of admission.
 Each weekend comes with its own theme:
Sept. 3-5 - “Knights, barbarians and heroes”
Sept. 10-11 - “Scots, Britons and Irish”
Sept. 17-18 - “Pirates, Scallywags and Buccaneers”