Festival performers fight during a comic retelling of western European history from the Renaissance era. PHOTO BY JON GOERING Kansas City Renaissance Festival performers juggle fire Sunday afternoon. Performers audition to be a part of each year's festival. Romeo and Juliet would be happy if they could have visited The Kansas City Renaissance Festival next week.it'impossible for them to visit this place, but for the upcoming Fall Break, you could experience what it's like to be a lover in the 16th century "We provide a chance for students to step out of the modern world and 500 years into the past and escape for a bit. No homework, no politics, no personal drama. With that comes stage shows of all sorts," says Jake Schmidt, entertainment associate of the festival. The 31st Kansas City Renaissance Festival will have a final weekend Oct.13 and 14.The theme for the final weekend is "Flutterbyes and Lovebirds." Numerous events and entertainment during the finale weekend for couples include speed dating, a romance bandit, and wine and cheese tasting. "It is certainly a great weekend for couples to come with romance abounding," says Schmidt. "Even if you don't have a special someone yet, you never know who you might find with our romancing the stone game." The festival first opened its gates in 1977 and has established itself as one of the most famous fall events in the Midwest. This year's festival has been ongoing since the beginning of September. The festival usually attracts about 20,000 people play Ashley Robson, Topeka sophomore, was one of those visitors this year. She said what she liked most were the passionate performers. The performers try their best toivere the Renaissance atmosphere. 200,000 people per year. Wearing medieval clothes and accessories from 16th century is the smallest thing they do. Most performers and artisans go above and beyond to revive the 16th century. Continued on Page 17