Imagine you live 500 years ago, long before cable television. What would you do for fun? Local students got an idea Wednesday during the third annual Colinwood Renaissance Faire at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Natchez.

&uot;(It’s) just to make them more aware of renaissance customs and traditions (and) hopefully to get them interested in literature,&uot; said Jan Pickle, an English instructor who supervised the knight’s tournament Wednesday.

As she watched, &uot;knights&uot; from each English class competed in a several events including the caber toss, which involved throwing a log to see who could throw it farthest. The knights tournament was a new event for this year’s faire and also included arm wrestling and a form of jousting. &uot;Each year we try to add new things and we just thought this would gather more interest,&uot; Pickle said.

The Co-Lin English Department sponsored the faire and also invited other schools to participate.

Many of the students dressed in medieval costumes including Mike Campbell who dressed as Henry VIII. To raise money for the college, Campbell posed for photographs with people who wanted a picture. with the famed English ruler. &uot;It’s an interesting diversion,&uot; Campbell said of the faire. &uot;(It’s) better than the classroom.&uot;

Other medieval activities at the faire included palm reading, hair braiding, storytellers and puppet shows. Natchez High School madrigal singers performed medieval music.