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"We've prepared another great faire with local and national performers, jousters, merchants and period craftspeople," said Bob Stanza, president of Renaissance St. Louis, the nonprofit organization that presents the faire every spring. "There will be entertainment for all ages, along with opportunities to learn about the French Renaissance from our cast, who will join our guests in everything from dancing to sword-fighting."

As visitors stroll the streets of "Petit Lyon," they will meet King Francois and his royal court, plus merchants, soldiers, peasants, villagers and gypsies. Visitors are entertained by knights jousting on horseback, comedians, strolling minstrels, storytellers, sword-swallowers, belly dancers, and several nationally-known bands. Activities include shopping, food, children's games, demonstrations of crafts and weapons, and more. The volunteer cast of the St. Louis Renaissance Faire and a bevy of professional entertainers and merchants have banded together to create an adventure for the whole family.

New this year is a redesigned wharf area of the town, as a crew of roistering mariners re-enact the naval life of the Renaissance. The first weekend, May 19-20, is Pirate Weekend to celebrate.

"We have a tremendous volunteer cast who really make the festival come alive, portraying characters from all walks of Renaissance life," said Stanza. "There are ladies and gentlemen of the court under the eye of watchful guards, tradespeople struggling to earn a living, along with those who beg in the streets. And if you look carefully you may even catch a glimpse of a fairy in the enchanted forest."

Among the various "neighborhoods" of Petit Lyon are the Faerie Woodland, the Royal Pavilion, military encampments of Scottish troops and German mercenaries, the gypsy camp, the wharf, and the joust field.

The Faire takes place in Rotary Park May 19-20, May 26-28, June 2-3, and June 9-10. Tickets are $14.95 for the general public; $7.95 for children ages 6-13, and free for children ages 5 and under. Military, police, firefighters and seniors (65+) receive $2 off the adult price at the gate. Season passes for all four weekends are also available. Tickets may be purchased at the gate or in advance at renstl.org. Parking is free. For more information, call 636-928-4141.

Rotary Park is located at 2577 W. Meyer Road, Foristell, Mo., 63348.

MAY 9, 2012 -- Each year at the International Horseradish Festival, young ladies, dressed in their best, strut their stuff and share a little bit about themselves with the audience for the chance to be Little Miss Horseradish. This non-professional contest is open to girls between the ages of 4 and 6 living in the Illinois counties of Madison, St. Clair or Monroe. The pageant will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 2 at the festival. The winner will receive a savings bond, crown, sash, trophy and flowers, as well as a photograph package. All contestants will receive a gift bag.

The Horseradish Festival is Friday, June 1, through Sunday, June 3, at Woodland Park, 2 Pine Lake Road, Collinsville, Ill., 62234. The Horseradish Festival celebrates the region's favorite root: horseradish. In addition to the Little Miss Horseradish Pageant, activities include live musical performances throughout the weekend, including a performance by SmashBand on Saturday, root games, washers competition, craft vendors, food vendors, amateur and professional recipe contests, fishing derby, Bloody Mary contest, root grinding demonstrations, 5K run/walk and activities for children. Admission is free. Visit www.horseradishfestival.com for details.

Photo of the reigning Little Miss Horseradish, courtesy of Collinsville Area Recreation District.

The book tells the story of young Graham, who experiences a destructive thunderstorm. After the storm passes, Jet, a friendly hawk, takes the boy on an exploratory journey into the clouds. They chase the thunderstorm and, through their adventure, Graham learns a lesson about weather that he'll never forget. This book is a combination of knowledge and talent that highlights Janis' writing and Dave's meteorology background. The result is a heartwarming story that reveals how fears are calmed through understanding. The book includes descriptions of gust fronts, hail, thunder and lightning, water vapor and other weather developments for readers seeking information beyond the story.

Janis Murray is a writer with essays, poems and columns published in major magazines. She is a former correspondent for CNN in New York, and has 30 years experience as a television news reporter including NBC stations in Detroit and St. Louis. Currently, she works with students daily as president of Murray Prep.

At age 26, Dave Murray became the first nightly weathercaster who was a meteorologist on the NBC affiliate station in St. Louis. National viewers got to know Dave as the daily weathercaster for ABC's Good Morning America, World News This Morning, and the ABC Radio Network. Dave holds 12 Emmy awards for excellence in weather forecasting, and is currently chief meteorologist for FOX Television in St. Louis.

The Kathryn Linnemann Library is located at 2323 Elm St., St. Charles, Mo., 63301. Call 636-723-0232 for more information. Registration is open for this and other library programs at www.youranswerplace.org under the Program and Events tab.

For guests looking for a more relaxing experience, the park also features a 700-foot-long Endless River of cool, clear water that lets riders float along at a tranquil pace in a continuous loop; the 18,000-square-foot Breaker Beach Wavepool, which allows swimmers to relax when the waves are "off" and "ride the tide" when the four-foot waves start to roll; and the "just for kids" Itty Bitty Surf City that features a pint-sized waterslide, splash pool, rain tree and tunnel area. Tree House Harbor features a crawl tunnel, overhead rope pulls, tunnel slides and a bucket that randomly spills 1,000 gallons of water.

Admission is $17.95 for children under 48 inches and those 60 and older, $20.95 for adults over 48 inches, and free for children under the age of 2. Guests arriving after 3 p.m. save $5 on the price of each ticket. Individual season passes are available for $70 each, and family passes are $65 each when buying three or more.

Raging Rivers is located at 100 Palisades Parkway, Grafton, Ill., 62037. Call 618-786-2345 for more information.

Photo courtesy of Raging Rivers.