Signora Alcedia perched herself on top of a bale of hay at the sidelines, guiding the crowd’s jeers while Sir Amadeo disrespected the King.

As one of the Seven Deadly Courtiers of Italiana, Alcedia riles the audience of the jousting tournament to applaud the hero and boo the villains. When Sir Alexander of Avalon galloped into the arena atop his steed, Alcedia’s section erupted with cheers.

Another job well done. Another day at the Renaissance Festival. But soon, after Alexander slays his foes for the final time, Alcedia will return to the real world and become Camberly Owen, a May 2009 ASU anthropology graduate.

With the opening of the Renaissance Festival last weekend, Owen began her 17th year associated with the annual fair.

“I love doing it,” she said. “At this point in time, I’ve been doing it for so long that I can’t imagine not doing it.”

Every year, cape-clad villains, winged pixies, and sword-bearing warriors gather on the weekends of February and March. The entertainment is varied, ranging from axe-throwing to a hypnosis show.

Though Owen and her co-workers are paid for their participation, they said there is something they share with festival patrons beyond the attractions.

“It’s a great sense of community,” said Mary Beth Melvin, a theatre sophomore. “We’re all here for the same reasons. We’re all fascinated with the era and ... the culture.”

After graduating in 2009, Owen began working for Motorcycle Mechanics Institute’s employment services department. Though she enjoys her time in the office, she said she still looks forward to the festival every year.

“I love the camaraderie, I love acting ... portraying the character, wearing the pretty costume,” Owen said. “It’s kind of an escapism. For eight weeks on the weekends, you’re allowed to ... get out of the norm, out of the everyday mundane life and be someone else.”

At a venue just outside of the jousting grounds, the Jamila Lotus belly dancers attract viewers leaving the fight. Pirates stand at the front of a labyrinth and insult those who don’t enter for their lack of courage. A haggard man tows a lifeless body on a wooden-wheeled cart. A gypsy screams onstage as he dislocates a shoulder to remove a set of chains two volunteers from the audience wrapped around him.

“You have to go in with a sense of adventure,” Melvin said.

As visitors left, they were seen off by an older man in tattered robes, baring similarities to Gandalf of “The Lord of the Rings.” He smiled and spoke with a resonant tone, imparting well wishes.

“Have a safe journey back to mundania.”

Reach the reporter at joseph.schmidt@asu.edu