"We started the games last year," Brown said. "People came with all different personas and costumes, and this year it's even bigger." Costumes are not required, but recommended. "People tend to come out of their shells when they get in costume or around others in costumes," Brown said. "You can really get to know a different side of someone at events like ours." . Along the way, find merchants of all types selling colorful tapestries, handcrafted leather bracelets and glazed stoneware, among many other treasures from around the world. Their booths will also match the theme. "Every vendor is different," Brown said. "Some do Renaissance fairs all over the United States and several are local vendors." Among the many is Ye Olde Costume Shoppe, of Roy. Melaine Mallory, who has been in business for 10 years, plans to pack up her belongings and go on "vacation" for a month to participate in the fair. "It's just so fun and CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Local knights in shining armor will judge and coordinate the Knight of Honor Jousting Games Competition at the Utah Renaissance Festival & Fantasy Faire; Leyla, from Yom al Had, will perform again this year in "Pirate Cove"; Guests dressed as Captaiin Jack and Barbossa participated in the 8th annual festival. photos courtesy Mandy Brown relaxing," Mallory said. "There's very little electricity, like back in the olden days. Over the years, I've made friends I look forward to seeing every year." The Italian-style stone cottage/store takes Mallory a minimum of 12 hours to build and design. "People love to come and look inside just to see what's in there," she said. The ambiance of the festival encouraged Mallory to return for her eighth year. "When people come out to fair I feel it in their best interest to spend all day sitting and watching everything," the vendor said. Five stages used for storytelling, dancing, comedic acts and more will be scattered throughout the grounds. Vendors will sell foods inspired by history. "The Silver Sand Sirens, which is a local performing mermaid group, will be on site and yes, we have a pool again for them to swim in this year," Brown said. The new tavern will be quite the attraction, Brown believes, and will encourage more people to attend. She expects her numbers from last year to increase from 15,000 to 20,000 people. "This is our first year with a liquor license," Brown said. "It'll make it a lot more fun and get a lot more people excited." This public event is Utah's longest running and largest Renaissance festival and fantasy fair. Proceeds from ticket sales being Pack N' Pounce, a local animal care organization. "The event is held to teach other about our history and how things have changed and become what we know them to be today," Brown said. "This breather from the every day helps make people happy and at the same time, it's helping the local economy, it's helping small businesses and it's helping local charities." Contact reporter Morgan Briesmaster at 801-625-4268 or mbriesmaster@standard.net. Follow her on Twitter at @SE mbriesmaster.