From February 12th to April 3rd, Arizonians can enjoy a plethora of fun at the Renaissance Festival in Florence. We spent the day there on Sunday and ate turkey legs, tried the mead, tried archery and even cheered on a jousting tournament. The geek in me wishes I could do that all year round!

Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
The merry couple.

Turkey legs at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
We were all super excited for turkey legs! This was our first stop!

After the turkey legs, we headed straight for the jousting arena to watch the tournament.

Commentator knight in the jousting tournament at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
The knight commentator

Purple knight riding in the jousting tournament at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Mini knight at the jousting tournament at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
Knight in the making

Knights jousting at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Blue knight in the jousting arena at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
The Justin Timberlake of knights. We sat in the blue section so we cheered this knight on.

Blue knight in the jousting arena at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Blue knight in armor at the jousting arena in the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
Blue knight ready for his joust.

Fallen blue knight at the jousting arena in the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
Oh noooooo. He lost! He was de-horsed.

Fallen red knight at the jousting tournament in the Renaissance Festival at Florence, AZ
But the blue knight wasn't the only one who lost!

After the jousting tournament, we headed out to try the mead and check out the booths. The mead tasted very sweet with a definite taste of honey. I've never been fond of the taste or smell of beer but the mead was a nice surprise.

Ax throw booth at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
Ax throw booth

Harpist at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
A very pretty harpist who was selling her music on CD's.

Throwing Ninja Stars at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
Using his Chinese ninja skills at the ninja star booth.

Lin at the crossbow booth at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Shooting a crossbow at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ At the crossbow booth.

We sat at the Wild Men show to get out of the sun for a little bit. Didn't really understand what was going on in the show but the kids seemed to enjoy it....

Wild Men show at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Trying out our target skills at the archery booth:

Shooting a bow and arrow at the archery booth at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
I failed miserably BTW.

Archery booth in the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
Husband: "You're supposed to shoot at the target not at the ground!"

How to use the bow and arrow at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Tomato throw at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
This guy was getting pelted in the face with tomatoes... and insulting everyone throwing tomatoes. Even little girls weren't spared. He was hilarious.

Ent at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
There were a few, er... interestingly dressed characters. An Ent?

Baby sheep eating grass hay in the petting zoo at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Baby sheep eating grass hay in the petting zoo at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ Standing in it's food and eating it at the same time.

Lunch stew at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Cricket the Duck at the Mother Goose booth in the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
Cricket the duck, who stood so still in her dress that we thought she was a statue... until one of the guys got too close and she quacked at him.

Mother Goose at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ
A childhood favorite, Mother Goose!

Falling off Jacob's Ladder at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Man playing musical instrument at the Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

Weaver at Renaissance Festival in Florence, AZ

We didn't try nearly half of the things going on at the festival. All the events, activities, shows, shops.... it's almost overwhelming in an exciting way. Another trip should be in order but next weekend is the last weekend for the Renaissance Fest!