Suitably annoyed, a courtly gent stops, pulls a dollar from his pouch, and hands it to a wench hawking wet sponges for a dollar. He plasters the mouthy boy with muddy water.

All in good, old-fashioned fun. Like, 500 years old-fashioned. These "ren-rats," or "Shrew Folke" work at the Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire, a re-creation of a 1580s Elizabethan Village. Ren rats come to work dressed in bodices and muffin hats and leather pants. There, they hawk their wares as characters that range from bawdy to regal. Actors, artisans, singers and their prodigy work and play as Elizabethan-era folk for three days, and then return to modern life.

Or at least, some do.

Some make a livelihood in Ren Faires, wandering from north to south, east to west, from faire to faire, just as the troubadours of the Elizabethan era must have once done.

Salem-area residents are lucky to have one of the most entertaining and beautifully situated Ren Faires just a short drive away.

Each year, Shrewsbury's organizers transform a farm field into an English village full of blythe and merry lads and ladies and their guests. Once you enter between the stone archways, feel free to suspend your disbelief and play along. Bow to the queen; dance with a merry maid, buy a sword, raise a glass, wear feathers and cotton, yell "Huzzah" for your favorite jouster, and eat with your fingers.

About 15,000 visitors came to last year's Shrewsbury Ren Faire.
This year there will be 125 artisan, food or entertainment booths as well as 1,000 actors involved.

Stroll through the village and smell the roasting curries, the turkey legs and potatoes. Feel the thunder of horse hooves on hard-packed earth as the knights battle for the attention of the ladies. Try not to stare at the lady selling pickles -- so me of her wares are lodged firmly between two ample bosoms. Visit the beer tent and listen to the impromptu singing of the revelers -- or join them. Have your hair woven with ribbons. Dab yourself with exotic oils and have your palm read by a gypsy.