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IT'S 1534 ALL OVER AGAIN in Fairburn, which means that for the next eight weekends, everything will be covered in burlap, "e's" will be added to various nouns, and a good many turkey legs will be brandished. About a thousand costumed characters are ready to roam the 32-acre "kingdom," presided over by Henry VIII, for the 23rd Georgia Renaissance Festival. Several new acts and curious food are highlights of this year's event, including:

All the King's Horses Royal Lipizzan Stallion show. These high-jumping stallions, descended from famous war horses, will be performing at the festival for the first time this year. The three generations of trainers and performers are as pedigreed as the steeds.

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Themed weekends include admission deals for seniors and children. Or for something a little different, visit during Pirates Weekend (May 17-18) for pirate costume contests for adults and children, or Scots & Kilts Weekend (May 3-4) for the Athnoll Highlander Pipe and Drum Band, sheep dog demonstrations and men in kilts and haggis-hurling contests.

Of all the toothsome treats the fest is known for — macaroni and cheese on a stick, stuffed croissant sandwiches, fish and chips, corn on the cob and much more — the buzz around the food tents this year promises to be fried Coca-Cola: pastry batter swirled with Coke and deep fried. The dish made its world debut at the 2007 Texas State Fair.

Other new acts for 2008 include the Village Forge, where master blacksmith Trenton Tye will be demonstrating old-fashioned metal-working techniques. The Barely Balanced Acrobatic and Juggling Show will perform juggling stunts and family-oriented comedy. The Flying Debris Show is an interactive magic and juggling performance. Thom Selectomy swallows swords, nails and drills, and the Nickel Shakespeare Girls can recite any Shakespeare play while performing acrobatic feats.

Returning favorites include jousting three times a day, birds of prey presentations, an artist market with more than 150 exhibitors, glass-blowing demonstrations, and a walk-through aviary filled with parrots.

• THE 411: The Georgia Renaissance Festival. Adults $19.95; seniors 60 and older $17.95; children 6-12 years old $8.50; 5 and younger free. Free parking. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. rain or shine. Saturdays and Sundays, April 12 to June 1, plus Memorial Day. I-85 at Exit 61 (Peachtree City/Fairburn). Follow signs to festival. 770-964-8575, www.georgiarenaissancefestival.com.