They're back for an encore performance. In their second year at the Alaska State Fair, the Knights of Valour storm the Ram Trucks Grandstand at 6 p.m. every day at the fair. Adults get in for $15. Kids entry is $10. This troupe of 18 are in the middle of a three-month tour that takes them all over the United States and Canada. The show begins with a half-dozen knights from the United States and Canada, in full-metal regalia (minus their helmets and shields), riding horses through an obstacle course demonstrating their technical abilities to pick up small rings with the butt-end of a spear. Then they throw the spear at a target, slice apples off the top of poles with sword, and finally grab an 11-foot lance and give the quintaine a whirl. All this tests agility, speed and power.
Next, the main event begins. The knights don helmets, pick up shields and put armor to the test. Fans are treated to run after run of horse and knight hurtled at one other. The object is to use the lance to land a perfect strike against the opponent's shield. The show promoter insists this is all real. Watch the video for more.