MISHAWAKA, Ind. — This Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the sixth annual Michiana Renaissance Fair is again partnering with the St. Joe County Chamber of Commerce and VisitSouthBend.com to bring groups of fire breathers, dancers, comedians, acrobats and all sorts of games and events.

Six stages will be running shows every 30 to 45 minutes with a variety of historically themed entertainment. Combat troupes will be swinging real swords at each other. Acrobats will be challenging the rules of physics. Comedians will be offering belly-busting jokes to the delight of all attendees.

People often spend the entire day at the event, according to Jonathan Zook President of Entertaining History, Inc. an all-volunteer organization.

“First off Northern Indiana did not have a renaissance festival before the year we started 5 years ago,” Zook said. “A lot of people expect something like Shakespeare in the Park. They are surprised to find that there is nothing boring or dull about this event, and there is definitely something for everyone.”

Another fascinating feature Zook highlighted was three living encampments that will be taking place showing lifestyles beyond just the Renaissance. There will also be a Medieval, Age of Vikings and Golden Age of Piracy areas that will show lifestyles of the times even beyond just renaissance.

Sections for children will have games and interactive challenges or “quests,” where the children have to perform certain tasks. Upon completion, participants will have the chance to receive accolades from the queen during royal court and participate in a celebratory parade.

There will also be a storytelling area, and for the more restless children an area offering foam swords will grant them free reign to imagine themselves in different days fighting for the laurels of imaginary kingdoms.

Adults will be able to frequent a pub, which will also have food available, along with other vendors, and the pub is staffed with music all day starting at 11 a.m.

“If you stayed for the entirety of the event, all day, both days. You couldn’t see everything,” Zook said. “We have authentic black powder weapon demos twice a day, and the island is full of vendors selling unique and appropriate items you won’t find at your normal stores.”

Ticket prices are adults 13 and up $12, seniors $10, ages six to 12 $7 and kids or members of the military with ID are free. For more information, full event schedule and ways to get discounts, go to michianarenfest.com.