“Renaissance fairs are kind of a phenomenon around the country, but we’re a little different in that we try to focus on three things,” the event founder and executive director said. “We try to make ours educational, we try to make it fun and we try to have really good merchants that sell fun things.”

The festivities will take place at the Young Living Farms in Mona on Friday and Saturday, marking the second year in Juab County after the event grew too big for its old home at Thanksgiving Point.

The fair will feature traditional 15th-century-England events such as the jousting arena, the Renaissance Theatre, The Shire, a Viking boat and an English village. Rumors are swirling about the Vikings preparing for a raid of the English village, Thurman said.

Additionally, the fair will seek to expand to other Renaissance-era traditions and include a Silk Road-themed area and performances from a variety of cultures.

“There’s something for every age,” said event spokesperson Susie Carlson. “Last year, I took my 2-year-old granddaughter and her mom, my daughter-in-law, and they had no idea what to expect. They were like, ‘This is so fun.’ Mostly, the people watching is fantastic.”

The event has come a long way from its humble beginnings at Timpanogos Park in Provo Canyon, where Thurman held Utah’s first Renaissance fair 13 years ago. He started it because he had grown to enjoy Renaissance fairs while in medical school in the Midwest, and when he moved to Utah, he learned there was not one here.

Thurman said a major part of its success has been the inclusion of Eagle Mountain resident Charlie Andrews of the Knights of Mayhem, the 14-time world champion heavyweight jouster who used to have his own show on National Geographic.

Andrews, who has participated in each fair held in Lehi and Mona, will lead the Knights of Mayhem full-contact jousting this weekend.

Despite Mona being a farther distance south for most attendees, last year’s fair saw its biggest turnout ever with 13,500 people, Thurman said. With good weather in the forecast and more parking available this year, he expects an even larger crowd this weekend.

“Ten years at Thanksgiving Point and we outgrew that facility, and now we’ve found a home in Mona,” Thurman said. “It’s a little further to drive, but it sure is beautiful. It’s got really lush grass. They have water features and a little lake with paddle boats, so right now, it seems to be a pretty good fit.”

The fair goes from 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. For advance purchases, tickets are $18 for adults and $13 for kids 7 to 8. Tickets are $20 at the gate, and children 6 and younger get in free.