The annual and long-loved Renaissance Festival will grace the Valley once again during the weekends of Feb. 9 to March 30. (The festival is open on President’s Day, too.) The festival is one of Arizona’s most unique experiences, as it offers attendees a one-of-a-kind opportunity to be transported back to the days of turkey legs, jousting and stunning fairytales of brave knights battling monstrous dragons and other mystical, terrifying beasts.

In preparation for the festival, we’ve compiled five reasons for why you need to make it a priority to visit this remarkable and timeless experience.