Get thee to this medieval faire in Waterloo

Toronto traffic is its own kind of medieval torture device—no rack required—and a 90-minute slog along the 401 can feel like a knightly trial by fire. But persevere and the quest comes with a worthy reward: the Royal Medieval Faire. Every September since 1998, downtown Waterloo has transformed for one day only into the Kingdom of Mearth, where 150 costumed performers and more than 5,000 visitors swap the modern grind for jousts and jesters.

Come Saturday, September 20, Waterloo Park West will be overrun with medieval mayhem: hawks dive-bombing overhead (courtesy of the birds-of-prey show), jugglers and stilt walkers cluttering the paths, harpists plucking away, and jesters gleefully roping strangers into their nonsense—like a live-action Robin Hood: Men in Tights, minus Cary Elwes.

Merchants hawk wares worthy of any wandering knight or wizard: chainmail jewellery, leather armour, raw honey, tarot cards, wooden swords and even tabletop gaming treasures. It’s part marketplace, part costume party, part interactive play, all tied together with a wink and a mug of mead.

Related: This trippy 310-acre sculpture garden is less than three hours away and totally free

Beyond the shopping stalls and roving performers, the faire has its share of old-world skills on display, including blacksmiths pounding out ironwork and archers loosing arrows with deadly precision. And for those who’d rather play than spectate, there’s squire school, where kids can practise their swordplay, plus a fairy-wreath making workshop.

Tickets are priced in Canadian dollars rather than gold sovereigns, but in true medieval fashion, it’s cash only: $10 for general admission, $5 for kids 13 and under or $20 for a family of four.