An abundance of costumed entertainers, dancers, jugglers, sword swallowers, storytellers, and musical and theatrical acts gathered Saturday at Felicita Park for the 10th annual Escondido Renaissance Faire.

Dressed in a costume from the early 1500s, Bill Armstrong described the renaissance fair as "an amalgamation of historical re-enactment, performance art and craft fair." He played Sir Robert Dudley, first Earl of Leicester and Master of the Horse, and has been involved with historical re-enactments since 1976.

Richard Wixon of Gold Coast Productions, promoter of the event, said that the fair increases in attendance and popularity every year, and that this year he had so many requests from performers and vendors he was forced to turn some of them away.

Wixon pointed that for many of the participants, renaissance festivals are a way of life.

"People come out, they buy a costume, and become part of it," he said. "Their social lives revolve around it and many are like family to each other."

Patricia Armstrong, guild mistress of the St. Elizabeth's Guild ---- a group of actors that re-create the reign of Queen Elizabeth ----has been performing the role of the queen for the past 17 years.

Armstrong remains in character at all times during her presentation and insists upon being addressed as her highness or queen. In a proper Elizabethan accent accompanied by idiomatic idiosyncrasies, she said the highlight of the event was seeing the children.

"Also watching the young people couple together and have more children," she said. "It's been 17 years now, and children are having children now and that pleases me very much."

From 10 a.m. until dusk, crowds meandered throughout the park, enjoying the scenery and taking in a multitude of performances that go on all day on three separate stages.

Now in his 23rd year as a professional sword swallower, Edward Robinson of Poway said he has been a regular at the Escondido Fair for the past three years.

"Wherever there's a renaissance festival, that's where you'll find me," he said. "I live in a tent and travel around on a motorcycle with a bunch of swords and a sleeping bag."

Robinson said that he never thought of his performance as a kid show. He admitted that it is a bit graphic, but assures that it's all fun and smiles.

John Bart of Escondido has attended the renaissance fair yearly since it inception.

"I used to come with my girlfriend every year," he said. "Now she's my wife and we bring our two kids."

Bart said that it was great that the event fell on Halloween this year. He said that he was happy that there were many attractions for the kids and is already looking forward to next year's event.

"This is better than television or movies," he said. "We get to learn some history, get dressed up and fantasize about living in the past."

The Renaissance festival will continue Sunday and will resume again on Nov. 7 and 8.

For more information go to www.goldcoastfestivals.com.