Corona, CA: Old World Festival Begins Saturday in Corona

Beginning this weekend, a Corona park will be transformed into a medieval village, complete with knight jousting, pirate fights, archery competitions, magic shows and other fare meant to give visitors to the Koroneburg Old World Renaissance Festival an authentic taste of life in the 15th century.

"To commemorate our 15th anniversary, we are revamping and re- energizing the festival with more authentic period re-enactments, entertainment and activities representative of the era, (with) hundreds of vividly costumed, always-in-character performers, craftspeople and vendors interacting with our guests," said festival cofounder Tom Wilson.

He said full-contact knight-jousts will be held every weekend of the festival, which begins Saturday and concludes June 17.

Nine acres of the 120-acre Riverview Park are reserved for the event, which is centered around a mock-up Bavarian village run by the fictitious Baron Heinrich Von Lauffer, whose estate borders the Rhine River -- or in this case, the Santa Ana River bottom.

According to organizers, sword fights, pyro-juggling and archery demonstrations will be part of the daily mix, and actors cast in the parts of Renaissance philosophes Galileo and Nostradamus will be on hand to wow visitors with their insights on the universe.

There will be displays of lifestyles, culture and technology from the period, and kids can enjoy a wooden carousel, dunk tank and gigantic rocking horses.

Plenty of wine and ale, as well as outdoor feasts -- loaded with turkey legs and bratwurst -- will be available, organizers said.

According to Wilson, a portion of the festival's proceeds will benefit the Loyal Order of Re-enactment Enthusiasts, a nonprofit group that hosts reading programs in schools and libraries throughout Riverside County.

"Students who complete the reading program get free admission for themselves and a parent, plus V.I.P. treatment and knighthood from Baron Von Lauffer himself," Wilson said.