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School Info

Although the first Friday of the fair has been designated a “school day” with extra educational activities and performances for students, it is still open to the general public.  

Admission to the Medieval Fair is free.  

It is recommended that teachers notify Medieval Fair department with their contact information if they are planning on attending with students.  This enables the department to contact you quickly if there are any last-minute schedule changes due to severe weather threats or any other happenings.   Teachers or group leaders may contact the department at medievalfair@ou.edu or (405) 325-8610. 

There is a new bus drop off at the north end of the park so that students don't have to cross traffic to get to the Fair.  Enter Reaves Park at the entrance just south of Timberdell Rd.  Bonus - this starts students at the part of Fair with the most educational presentations!  Buses can drop off students there and then go park at Lloyd Noble Center.

For end of the day students should go to where the buses are parked at Lloyd Noble Center because there isn't enough space there for all the buses (as many as 80 buses some years) to wait for all the students to arrive.  The best plan is to tell students to meet you at T-shirt castle/Archery Range area in the south and then walk over together to Lloyd Noble Center.

The program with descriptions, schedules, and a map is up on the homepage of the website for your reference.

Please see additional Guidelines and Educational Presentation summaries in the drop down panes below.


Bus Drop Off Working Map 2025 v02 no grid 20250402 1915638792367989234968

Guidelines

  • It is recommended that there be at least one adult supervisor for every 8 children.
  • Students should use the buddy system and/or stay in assigned groups.
  • It is helpful if students are identified as part of a group (e.g. nametags or labels with school name and contact information on their person, matching school shirts, etc.).
  • Have an agreed upon meeting place and time such as the Cleveland County Veterans Memorial, in the Southwest section of Reaves Park. (it has a tall flagpole so it is easily found from almost anywhere in the park)

Food

A variety of food and drink is available from over 40 food vendors. Jumbo corn dogs are $8, turkey legs are $18, and pizza by the slice is $8, just to name a few. A student will need about $15 to eat a meal at the Medieval Fair. A complete listing of food vendors and their menus will be made available on the Special Events Blog page. Sack lunches are permitted however refrigeration (or other storage) is not available for students’ lunches at Reaves Park.

Weapon Policy

*Schools are responsible for enforcing and informing their students of school policies regarding weapons. *

All weapons, real or play, must be in a sheath and peace-tied at all times. All demonstrations involving weapons are allowed only in secured and pre-approved areas. Weapons are sold at the fair, but no weapons may be sold to minors. While vendors have been informed of school policy regarding weapons, it is the responsibility of the school to enforce and inform students of their policy.

Storyline

It’s 1360, and King Edward III and Queen Philippa are planning a trip to the first spring market fair in the town of Avalon after a long, gloomy winter. People think the plague is finally gone, and England has just made peace with France after fighting for 20 years. Everyone is excited to join in the celebrations of victory and peace. (Later on, this time will be known as the Hundred Years War if you want to look it up.)

Costuming

An excellent short overview of period costumes can be found in Nancy Bradfield's book Historical Costumes of England 1066-1968 on pages 38-41. If students are interested in creating costumes, basic silhouette patterns are available in Katherine Strand Holkeboer's book Patterns for Theatrical Costumes: Garments, Trims, and Accessories from Ancient Egypt to 1915 in the section on the 14th century. These might be available at your local libraries and both are available online through Amazon and other similar vendors.

Educational Presentations & Demonstrations

Arthurian Order of Avalon (H9)

The Arthurian Order of Avalon is non-profit educational and performance organization. Their mission is to educate its membership and audiences in Medieval and Arthurian ideals, history, and culture in order to instill, preserve, and promote the concepts of chivalry, courtesy, and honor.  See the displays and projects created by their membership at the AOA Educational Tent.

Company of the Yeoman Body Guard (A14)

Living history presentations regarding weaponry and military structure of the middle ages.  You can even test your own fighting skills against one of the guards.

Medieval Society at UCO (A13)

A student and alumni organization focused on academic understanding of the Middle Ages.  
This year’s presentation is Ubi Motus Est: Travel in the Middle Ages. 
For 2025, the Medieval Society at UCO is focusing on travel in the Middle Ages. How did people travel? Where did people go? What kind of people went? We are approaching this project in three parts. First, we are constructing examples of modes of travel. We will be presenting a medieval hand cart, viking ship prow, and workable styles of ship sails (lateen vs. square) which should be interactive for visitors (wind velocity may make this one interesting). We are hoping to include at least a few other physical examples. Second, students are researching travel narratives and will be presenting their research on famous medieval travelers. Finally, students will be dressing as and doing first person living history of famous travelers that might be found in England in the late fourteenth-century. 

Raptors Keep (G9)

Raptors Keep is a federally permitted and insured Raptor Education and Conservation demonstration program.  Learn about the history of falconry, current conservation, rescue, rehabilitation and more.  They will be giving their presentation on the Camelot (chessboard) stage at 1:00 and 4:45 daily.  You can also stop by their demonstration area to see the birds up close and ask questions.

Saltfork Craftsmen Artist-Blacksmith Association (D9)

A non-profit organization of amateur and professional artists and craftsmen whose purposes are the sharing of knowledge, education and to promote a more general appreciation of the fine craftsmanship everywhere.  Discover the science and artistry of blacksmithing at live forges.

Society for Creative Anachronism Barony of Namron and Guests (G8)

A world-wide non-profit organization whose purpose is to recreate life in the Middle Ages for the enlightenment and education of others. Medieval and Renaissance style combat, dancing, arts and science display and demonstrations. The 2025 display is set to include a Viking Encampment, a Parchment demonstration, a medieval farming area, and one or more siege weapons.  To learn more, ask a member about joining or visit www.sca.org