• photo by Laura Dodd

If this century is getting you down, throw on some Dark Ages drag and get thee to the Excalibur Medieval Tournament and Market Faire at Mad River Community Hospital at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and Sept. 28 and the following weekend, Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 ($8, $5 kids, free to kids under 5).

There are daily horse parades, some 40 vendors, costumed entertainers, 13th-century craft and skill demonstrations, medieval musicians and dudes in armor working out their feelings the old-fashioned way: with giant swords and lances. Get in on the less bruising action and test your aim in the archery competition, battle with foam swords or just stomp some grapes. Grab an ale at the Dark Horse Tavern, maybe eat some sort of meat on a stick and take a break from modern times without worrying that your favorite character is going to get killed off. Just don't forget to take a selfie with the Vikings.

— Jennifer Fumiko Cahill