"The Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire was born of the dreams and hard work of Ken and Leslie Engle, but it is the hundreds of volunteers that keep it alive," Don Lewis, site director for the faire, said. "It is the appreciation and the joy of our visitors that pays those volunteers for all their labors."

Lewis has been with the faire since its beginning.

"Walking the streets of Shrewsbury," Lewis said, "you will see blacksmiths making the tools and household items of the Renaissance Era. You will hear the music of the courts and streets of Elizabethan England. You will meet nobles, knights and knaves, ladies and lasses, troubadours and tradesmen, all in an English Market of the late 16th century."

This is a faire that holds a special place in the hearts of those who regularly attend.  

"Shrewsbury is a different kind of magic to each and every person who attends," said Melanie Willer of Salem. She has attended the Faire for the past three years.

"For any who have ever fancied the idea of stepping into another time or another world, the Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire is that special chance to break out of reality. What could be better than escaping the modern mess we live in to walk barefoot in the grass in another world of magic and merriment?"

Participation, she says, is the best way to enjoy Shrewsbury, or any Renaissance Faire, and the best way to participate is to dress up in period costume.  

"The one disappointment with the faire is the number of faire-goers who come to spectate without being a part of the time period. It used to be, `If you come to the faire dressed in normal clothing it will be embarrassing,' but nowadays the spectators are high in number and soon they will have nothing to spectate," Willer said.  

Shrewsbury offers something for everyone: a variety of good food, legendary root beer, a beer garden, music, dancers, storytellers, a wide variety of shops, and even a tournament with full-contact jousting and sword fighting. Visitors will find no shortage of entertainment and educational possibilities throughout the faire, which runs September 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.