STERLING - The first of six themed weekends, children took this week's spotlight as the Sterling Renaissance Festival's 33rd season opened Saturday.

Katy Gaul, 5, and her mom, Sue Morgan, hustled toward the gate just after opening Saturday. Katy wore a self-styled costume - silver fabric on her head and a flowing flowered cape.

As the pair passed the Ontario Orchards produce stand, Dennis, son of Dennis Oulette Sr., the medieval festival's originator, was preparing cherries, corn, beans, strawberries, blueberries, and garlic among other vegetables for sale. His daughter, Amber Jean, and Shawn Regan helped. Oulette said this is the second season they've been at the event.

“People like fresh produce,” he said.

Just outside the gate, a wench in a bright yellow peasant blouse and cinched vest was not an actor, but a visitor, as were many others, dressed in a period costume. Geralyn Dunlap and her husband, Patrick, of Remsen, N.Y., wore leather boots bought last year at the event.

“They're special-made boots,” Geralyn said. “My feet are crooked, and they make my feet feel like heaven.” Hers had yellow roses and Patrick's were studded with silver buttons.

Buffoon carpenters from Warwickshire Builders' Guild, Demetrius Thornton and Phineas Webster, were also outside the gate, entangled in ladders and rope.

Crowds moved inside toward the coin-making booth with its soothing waterwheel and loud coinmaking contraption. Lizzie Nash, 9, of Cowelsville, N.Y., came with her aunt and uncle, Debbie and Jim Ramsdell. Her coin had a winged dragon on one side and a lion on the reverse.

“Marvelously mashed, my lords,” the coinmaker said. “Strike it, beat it, and tie it up.”

Jim Ramsdell carried a Hornbeam walking stick that he only makes for relatives. “There's not a lot of money in it,” he said.

A few actors goaded visitors into action. Capt. Sir Richard Griffin, Master of Arms, walked along with Kelley Copani and her boyfriend, Roger Wood, making suggestive comments.

“I will kill a man dead for you at the Commons,” he told her. Wood thought it was funny.

Walter, the mouthy tomato, hurled insults at passersby, luring them to the tomato toss game, with a special spot for children. Jack Villareale, 6, of Fairport, N.Y., almost beaned Walter, who ducked. His dad, John, managed a splatter.

The Gooseneck Slip, a popular ride, had children seated on mats, taking a $3 ride down a 150-foot silicon sprayed slide.

A hidden schedule of events along the pathways was a smashing success, judging by the children's dueling lesson on the lawn. “The Nature of Mercy,” an “improvised” sword fight, attracted about 15 children, toddlers and older, who lined up with stuffed fabric swords as the Captain, Tawm Jones, foil drawn, ordered them through sword fighting techniques.

“Never take your eyes off me,” Jones said, walking behind the children. “Keep your eyes on me without turning around.”

“Can I borrow your sword, please,” he asked a young boy. After taking it, he said,“ Never give anyone your sword.”

Dueling faces, growls, crossing hearts with swords and shouting “God Save the Queen ” were also part of the training.

“These children are probably going to die,” he told the circling audience, who cheered their children on.

The half-hour event brought giggles from children and parents alike.

The Queen of England appeared at the end of a costume contest to knight the participants.

“I just wish to commend all the young ones,” the Queen said, ordering them to kneel on one knee to be “dubbed.”

“If you agree to being a lady-in-waiting or knight of the realm,” she said, “you must agree to doing good deeds. I hereby dub thee knight and lady-in-waiting.” Prizes followed.

Interactivity prevailed, as the audience often became part of the entertainment with such acts as The Da Vinci Brothers Comedy Opera and special weekend entertainers Giacomo the Jester and Looney Lucy. While it was children's weekend, much of the humor was meant for adults.

Staff writer Kathleen Barran can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 238 or kathleen.barran@lee.net