Editor’s note: The following is one fifth-grader’s description of the Renaissance Festival, which takes place each fall in Bonner Springs. Next year’s festival will be Aug. 30-Oct. 13.

“Welcome, welcome all.”

That’s what the guard said outside the gates to the Renaissance Festival in Bonner Springs a month ago. Now, you may wonder what the Renaissance Festival is based upon. It’s actually based on Olde England. You may wonder, what in the world is the festival all about?

Here right now is his highnesses the King and Queen of England.

I asked, “Your lord, what do you like and dislike about being king, and same for you, my queen?”

“Well, one of the things we like, as king and queen, are the people,” his majesty replied. “The thing we dislike are the noisy and most troublesome jousters. And my queen likes shopping in the village.”

After a few minutes of sightseeing, I jumped out of my skin when I heard the sound of a hissing snake followed by the most evil, hideous laughter. I turned slowly on my heel to see a tall man with a thick brown beard, almost like a bit of fur. This man had himself wrapped in a long, black cloak with scaly, claw-like fingers.

I gulped and stepped up to him, shivering, and the wind was pounding against me on all sides. Gulping again, I squeaked with fear and he turned and grinned a hideous grin at me.

Shaking, I said, “Excuse me, sir. May I ask you a few questions?”

“OK,” I said. “What is your job?”

“What is my job?” he said with his hideous laughter. “You should know. It’s to make the helpless townspeople miserable.”

“OK. So how does your job affect the community?”

Hissing, he said, “It creates a need for heroes.”

“I see. How long have you been in the Local Force of Evil?”

“Seven years,” he said, hissing.

After some more walking, I stumbled into the place known as the Royal Glade. I saw the most amazing things: a 31-foot statue of a knight, a fence guarding some jousters and place for archery.

Now I’m here with the archery guard, and I ask, “Excuse me, sir, but may I ask you some questions?”

“Yeah, you can,” he replied.

“OK. What is your job?”

“To help run archery line,” he answered.

“OK. How does your job affect the city’s people?”

“Tax income.”

“OK. How long have you done this job?”

“Seven years.”

“Now,” I asked, “What type of bows do you have?”

“Mostly bows and crossbows.”

A few minutes later, I shot an arrow from a bow and it hit the target of a dragon straight through the eye and another through the heart.

Important message: You have to go to the Renaissance Festival because of many reasons. One reason is the food, including the turkey legs and many other interesting things. There is also entertainment, like a real execution, a pub show, plays at the theater and jousting matches.

There are also games including archery, mazes and contests. Also, there are activities including making wax hands and dart-throwing.

And most important, there are things you can buy. These include bows and arrows, swords, armor, costumes and much, much more.

 Ben Berlin is a fifth-grader at Riverside School.