Aug 26, 2005 By Jean Lohr For The 3 min read

FARMINGTON – King Henry VIII and Queen Anne Boelyn and their entourage of professional jesters, minstrels, court performers, knights, fair maidens and wenches will take center stage at the first annual Fayette County Renaissance Faire and Craft Village. Events are scheduled from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Rain or shine, the Herald-Standard Pavilion next to the Woodland Zoo in Farmington is the place to be.

Guests may partake of foods and taste wines fit for medieval royalty. They can learn a bit about merry Olde England, enjoy watching a joust, mingle with knights or allow Robin Hood to introduce the fine art of archery. Word is there is even a fire-breather on site.

The children’s area will feature lots of crafts and includes a castle.

“They’re lining up a bunch of activities for the kids,” said Joe Carei, owner and chef at Caileigh’s Restaurant in Uniontown.

There will be drumstick and pie-eating contests for both adults and children, with prizes awarded.

The Woodland Zoo will open its doors at 10 a.m. with discounted admissions available that day only.

At noon, local food vendors will begin serving medieval fare. Local craft vendors will also be on hand to show and sell their wares.

Sponsored by the Fayette Opportunity Network, the event promises entertainment and amusement for the entire family.

Carei is president of the fledgling group that was formally named earlier this year. The group formed with the idea of promoting the Fayette County area as a great place for young professionals and their families. “I think there is an obvious new interest in this area,” Carei said. “Most of my business comes from visitors to Fallingwater, Kentuck Knob, Ohiopyle (State Park) and all the new bed-and-breakfasts and hotels.

“We are hopeful that this venue will grow with every event. We want everyone to come and see what Fayette County has to offer – to bring in new faces.”

Jeremy Burnworth of Markleysburg agrees. As treasurer and membership chairman of FayOp.Net, he feels the event “will do what it is supposed to do and create visibility in Fayette County.”

“We are trying to do good in Fayette County, and we need people to recognize that,” Burnworth said. “We are the only organization like this that exists in the county.”

Burnworth also thinks that being the first organization to do a renaissance fair makes them unique.

“It is really neat being in the position of a founder,” Burnworth said. “It gives you a totally different perspective.”

It is hoped that the Renaissance Faire and Craft Village will raise awareness of the up-and-coming organization and also raise a little money for the Uniontown YMCA and Mental Health Association Compeer FRIENDS program. Tickets are available at Caileigh’s restaurant, the YMCA and the Mental Health Association. The tickets are priced for adults and children. If purchased at these three outlets, a free child’s ticket will be given with every adult ticket purchased. Tickets are also available at Soundtrack in Uniontown.

“We want to keep people here and help raise money for area agencies,” Carei said. “We want to do creative things to make us like and enjoy Fayette County more and more.”

For more information about the first annual Fayette County Renaissance Faire and Craft Village, call 724-329-8664. For information about the Fayette Opportunity Network, visit the Web site at FayOp.Net or call 724-322-2151.