Kids get ready for Renaissance Fair

Children at Carson City's Educare Academy are waiting for their knight in shining armor. He'll be there Friday.

The private elementary school and preschool has spent the week preparing for its13th annual Renaissance Fair free to the public and will be followed by a slumber party.

"The kids love it," said Joan Lepas, principal and director of the school. "It gets us in touch with history and culture."

The students researched clothing of the era and made cutouts of themselves with butcher paper, then drew on the appropriate attire.

They will also dress in period costumes during the fair.

"It's fun because you get to dress up and you get to decorate your clothes and stuff," said Elizabeth Platt, 7. "We get to make swords and see real knights."

Alden Pardew, a 16-year-old former Educare student, will be one of the knights. Pardew has been a member of the Shires of the Silver Desert, the Carson City chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronisms - a worldwide organization celebrating the Dark Ages - since he was 3.

"It's fun and it's interesting," he said. "I think it's a good opportunity for the kids to learn something about the past."

In addition to learning, the students are also looking forward to having a good time.

"There's going to be a slumber party and we get to spend the night," said Britney Tucker, 8. "After the little ones go to sleep, we get to tell scary stories and that sounds really cool."

The fair will also feature a professional storyteller and food from the Renaissance period.

Ten-year-old Angel Fernandez is most excited about the food.

"I just like eating," he said. "They're going to have chicken and turkey legs."

Throughout the summer, the students also stage a carnival and an Olympic performance. They receive $1 for any research that is "published" on the school's bulletin board.

"I've got them learning and they're having fun," Lepas said. "Every year it's something different because it's homemade. It's them doing it."

What: Educare Academy's Renaissance Fair

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where: Educare Academy at 2210 Lone Mountain

Cost: free