By Kari Lucin, staff writer

A friendly blue-and-purple dragon named Chester roamed the shore of Fountain Lake Wednesday afternoon, enthralling some kids and scaring a few others as part of the Albert Lea Public Library’s Medieval Festival.

The Medieval Festival was conducted to celebrate the last week of the library’s summer reading program, &8220;Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds.&8221;

Kids had a chance to play with the colorful dragon, eat snacks and draw chalk pictures on the ground near the Fountain Lake Gazebo. They also played a few medieval-themed games.

In one game, kids had to put on a cape, a crown or princess hat, and a pair of shoes and skip around. The game proved unexpectedly challenging for many kids, as the silk lining of the capes caused them to slip off easily. The shoes were either much too large or a little bit too small.

&8220;It’s hard to be a princess, isn’t it?&8221;

said Staci Waltman, Children’s Librarian.

After the skipping game, kids headed for a shady part of the park to joust. Two hula hoops were set next to each other on the ground, and kids tried to get each other to step out of the hoops while hitting at each other with soft foam water noodles.

Some kids used fancy moves with their &8220;swords,&8221; swinging them back and forth with style, and others seemed a little bit afraid that they might hurt their friends. The crowd of kids waiting to joust

cheered each other on with enthusiasm.

Three kids came dressed up in medieval-style costumes, one as a witch. After the joust, everyone headed to the gazebo for some shade and snacks. Child after child hugged Chester the dragon, who came from the Chateau Theater in Rochester for the library event.

The dragon seemed to have time and a friendly wave for everyone, and though some kids were afraid of him at first, eventually they seemed to get used to the dragon of Fountain Lake.

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