Travel back to 16th-century England as the village of Covington Glen once again comes alive with the bustle of a Renaissance marketplace this month.

The Tennessee Renaissance Festival features arts and crafts, performers, animals, musicians (catch the Secret Commonwealth on May 17 and 18), comedy routines and more. Artisans display their wares, from silks to swords to gems and jewels. Aromas and tastes of specialty foods and drinks greet the festival-goer, and visitors can participate in games of skill and ride man-powered rides.

The attraction will run every Saturday and Sunday in May, plus Memorial Day, May 26, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Special weekends this year include:

May 3-4: Family Appreciation Discount—With the purchase of two regularly-priced adult tickets, two grandparents and all children age 12 and under will receive free admission.

May 10-11: Pirate Invasion Weekend—The hills are swarming with rascals and rogues as a crew of scurvy pirates invade the shire of Covington Glen.

May 17-18: Celtic Weekend—A Celtic flair will honor those early Britons. Men, wear your kilts. Wee bairns, lads and lassies, get ready to “Count the Freckles” in the Children’s Area.

May 24-26: Royal Jousting Tournament Weekend—Jousters from far and wide come to vie for top honors.

Covington Glen and Castle Gwynn, towering above, are located just off Highway 96, between the towns of Murfreesboro and Franklin, at 2124 New Castle Road in Arrington. For more information, visit tnrenfest.com.