The King’s guard (Cooper Rhodes) laughs while having rotten tomatoes thrown at his head Saturday after he was defeated in a mock fighting match at the Harvest Market in Columbus. The one-day event featured medieval-inspired entertainment, nearly 100 vendors and activities like axe throwing, all aimed at doubling the crowd drawn to the Festival of the Fae in the spring. (Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff)

Terriaua Ickom, left, trades trinkets with Marz Bennett on Saturday during the Harvest Market in Columbus. Bennett told The Dispatch she frequently brings trinkets – small, inexpensive and sometimes handmade items – to similar events to trade with other festivalgoers as a token of friendship. (Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff)

Thendir Brokerson (Lynn Adams), left, spars with Sam Hankins on Saturday in front of an audience at the Harvest Market. Adams and fellow “knight” Duke Sir Kane (Cliff Easley) are members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, an international organization devoted to recreating pre-17th Century history at events like the Harvest Market. “Anybody that loves history, it’s a way to really immerse yourself into it,” Easley told The Dispatch. “And you actually learn a lot of stuff about it too.” (Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff)

Lukas Kirkland, 5, jumps up to pet a dragon Saturday during the Harvest Market. The dragon was a popular photo opportunity throughout the day for festivalgoers between axe throwing, shield painting or having their fortunes told. (Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff)

Danyelle Lee, left, and Rynaya Harrison laugh over lunch Saturday at the Harvest Market. Both students at Mississippi State University, the women said they were surprised and happy to learn there was a Renaissance-themed festival so close to campus. (Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff)

Violet Castro, 3, smiles after seeing a fairy in costume on Saturday as she walks into the Harvest Market in Columbus with her mother, Guadalupe Castro. Festivalgoers were encouraged to come in costume, bringing everything from knights and princesses to werewolves and fairies to Luxilin Drive for the weekend event. (Emma McRae/Dispatch Staff)