Romeo and Juliet would be happy if they could have visited The Kansas City Renaissance Festival next week. It’s impossible for them to visit this place, but for the upcoming Fall Break, you could experience what it’s like to be a lover in the 16th century

“We provide a chance for students to step out of the modern world and 500 years into the past and escape for a bit. No homework, no politics, no personal drama. With that comes stage shows of all sorts,” says Jake Schmidt, entertainment associate of the festival.

The 31st Kansas City Renaissance Festival will have a finale weekend Oct. 13 and 14. The theme for the finale weekend is “Flutterbyes and Lovebirds.” Numerous events and entertainment during the finale weekend for couples include speed dating, a romance bandit, and wine and cheese tasting.

“It is certainly a great weekend for couples to come with romance abounding,” says Schmidt. “Even if you don’t have a special someone yet, you never know who you might find with our romancing the stone game.”

The festival first opened its gates in 1977 and has established itself as one of the most famous fall events in the Midwest. This year’s festival has been ongoing since the beginning of September. The festival usually attracts about 200,000 people per year.

Ashley Robson, Topeka sophomore, was one of those visitors this year. She said what she liked most were the passionate performers. The performers try their best to revive the Renaissance atmosphere. Wearing medieval clothes and accessories from 16th century is the smallest thing they do. Most performers and artisans go above and beyond to revive the 16th century.

“They even try to mimic accents from the Renaissance period,” Robson says. “You just gotta love them.”

Artisans and performers from all over the country gather in Kansas City for auditions to be a part of each year’s festival. 165 artisans and more than 500 performers were a part of the festival this year.

People of all ages visit the festival for different reasons. Robson visited the festival with her parents when she was a kid, and again this year with friends. She said being at the festival again made her feel like she was in a different world.

Just like Robson, many college students are visiting the festival for out-of-the-ordinary experiences. Approximately 20 percent of the visitors are college students, says Carrie Shoptaw, general manager of the festival. The finale weekend is not only charming for lovers, but also for friends, parents, families and even pets, Shoptaw says.

It’s not only the medieval mood and energetic performers visitors love about the festival; food is a huge part of the festival’s success. The “world-famous turkey legs” are one of the main reasons people come back to the festival. This year, about 90,000 pounds of the barbecued turkey legs will be brought to the festival. Robson says the turkey leg was one of the best barbecued foods she had ever tasted. Robert Sack, Wal-Mart associate, who visited the festival several years ago, says the turkey legs are what he misses most about the festival.  The Kansas City Renaissance Festival has consistently won the coveted “Top 100 Events in North America” award over the last several years along with several distinguished local honors according to the official website, www.kcrenfest.com.

“If you spent too much time studying and need a break, harbor a deep love for Tolkein, played a few too many hours of God of War, or really just need a chance to laugh at some people in ridiculous costumes, you’re going to have a good time joining us for some play and pastime,” Schmidt says.