[rdouglass]

One of the best times I ever had was going to a Renesance Festival in northern Minnesota. Not these Irish pub-type festivals, but an actual mini-city where people lived the whole summer as they did in King Arthur days. Authentic period food, hand made chain mail, armor, weaponry (yes, maces too) available for sale as well as most other crafts.

Actual live jousting tournemants and everything. Period style clothing / costumes and public displays / events. It really seemed just like being there. AFAIK it's still being held each summer, all summer long.