The Northern California Renaissance Faire has made its annual appearance in Hollister.

Re-enacting the period between 1490 and 1630, hundreds of revelers take a break from the real world to immerse themselves in an imaginary English town to enjoy music, live performances and each other.

Strolling minstrels, swashbuckling swordsmen and naughty jesters combine to take visitors back in time.

Fairgoers are likely to find themselves face-to-face with actors portraying such luminaries as Queen Elizabeth I as she parades through the masses or Sir Francis Drake as he pontificates on the potential of the New World.

In existence for more than 40 years, the Faire continues to grow and increase in popularity, despite numerous changes in management and locations.

“I have an average of about 600 performers that I oversee,” said Maurene Drew, the Faire’s entertainment director.

Although the event takes place for just six consecutive weekends during September and October, she spends almost the whole year leading up to the festivities getting ready. ”I work on the fair six to eight months before we get here,” Drew said.

For many participants and organizers, the Faire provides an outlet for their creativity and fulfills a desire for community and family.

“I love it,” said Talon McKenna, who portrays the Blue Knight in the full-contact jousting event. “For me, it’s for the kids that come to the shows. I love seeing their eyeballs get really big when they get to watch” the performance.

“We do this for fun,” said Sue Honor, the Faire’s artistic director and board chair. “I just like to be creative. And since I’m working as a bureaucrat during the week, I don’t get to be creative there. So I get to focus it and have it come out here.”

“This Faire is like a family,” Honor said. “We all care about one another.”

Dozens of vendors and artisans hawk their wares. Everything from fine art and hand-blown glass to leather goods and woodcarvings are available for purchase. There is even a costume shop that rents period-piece clothing to those who want to step back into the 16th century properly attired.

Promoted partly as an adult playground, the Faire offers English ales, as well as cleavage, in abundance for those who wish to explore their inner rouge or wench.

The fair continue every weekend through October 12. For more information, visit www.norcalrenfaire.com or call (408) 847-FAIR.