The Medieval Fair of Norman was the first medieval or renaissance fair in the state and is one of a few FREE medieval fairs in the nation! 

The Medieval Fair has been held annually since 1976. Originally it was a forum for the English Department at the University of Oklahoma which chose the month of April because it was close to Shakespeare's birthday. This was a small one-day event on the south oval of the campus. The public responded positively, so the fair was continued in the following year. Interest continued to grow each year. 

After its third year there was not enough room for the many who wanted to participate and attend the fair, so it was moved to one side of the Duck Pond and the event was expanded to two days. Interest from the schools resulted in expanding the fair to a three-day event in 1996 so students from around the state could attend the fair on Friday as part of a unit of study on the Middle Ages.

The event continued to grow filling the park to its maximum with participants and visitors flocking in from throughout the nation. In 2003, with cooperation from the City of Norman, the Fair moved to Reaves Park, one of Norman's largest parks.