Hear ye, hear ye...the 30th edition of the biggest medieval market in New Zealand is nigh.

Knights, dames, bards, fair maidens, and peasants will gather in Levin tomorrow (February 8) for the annual Medieval Market, many voyaging from afar.

Chairperson Anna Harris says the market was originally started by a group of Manakau parents and residents wanting to fundraise for a pre-school daycare facility. The emphasis was on fun, with dancing, jousting and music a feature of the day.

With archery contests, pony rides, sword fights and fairy gardens, people had so much fun it became an annual event.

The market was so popular it became a victim of its own success. It became so popular that it caused major disruptions to State Highway 1. Traffic was brought to a standstill.

In 2007, at the request of New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi officials, a decision was made to move the market to Levin Showgrounds, where it has been staged ever since.

“The committee were told it simply had to move,” she said.

The group remains a registered charity and in the last 30 years has given out more than $350,000 in grants to clubs, groups and sports in the community.

The success of the market directly benefits the community.

“We aim to raise as much money as we can and distribute our profit through grants for the benefit of the community,” she said.

The committee of 8 relied on volunteer help. Levin and Foxton Fire Brigades helped out, Pheonix Taekwon-do club kept facilities clean, Levin cycling Club and LandSar volunteers manned the gates, and Levin Basketball Association was in charge of morning tea.

More than 6000 people – many of whom will dress up - are expected, while more than 200 stall holders had already booked sites, from bones carvers to basket weavers.

There’s going to a parade this year with the crowning of a King and Queen, while long-serving volunteers will be knighted.

Anna said gate entry prices are deliberately kept low so as not to prohibit families from attending: $5 for adults, $2 for primary school-aged children, while preschoolers have free entry.

Gates open at 9am.