When the Good King Henry turns back the clock at the start of the Colorado Renaissance Festival, he transports attendees to an event decked out in 16th-century European flair, set against the tree-filled landscape of Colorado. Though fairies flutter about, the fair's fantastical elements don't draw ire from history buffs—on the contrary, they incite straight-up delight. That's because they add up to one thing: spectacle.

A few other sights and sounds one can expect include:

• Jugglers and maidens and minstrels, oh my: An abundance of costumed entertainers—from kings to peasants and fire-breathers—wander through the grounds and interact with visitors.
• A feast fit for royalty: Plates make way for turkey legs, steaks on a stake, and king's sausage, as well as time-bending menu items like pizza.
• A real-life knight's tale: During three daily jousting competitions, noble knights and their brave horses crash into each other before exchanging insurance information.
• Big (and small) cats: The Endangered Cat Show thrills crowds with black panthers, an Amur leopard, and a lynx.
• Handmade wares: More than 200 vendors sell clothing, costumes, pottery, and shoes, while others put on live demos of blacksmithing and glassblowing.