Knights,maidens at Baldrick's day out

The knights' battles were a popular part of the day's entertainment.

The sound of metal hitting metal was to be heard at Victoria Park on Saturday as Baldrick's Big Day Out came to town for the day.

The biannual medieval festival featured a range of entertainment, from sword fights and archery to morris dancing and live music.

People got into the spirit at Baldricks Day Out.

Many people dressed up for the day, with the raggediest urchin competition particularly well supported this year.

The Shoot the Knight stand was a crowd favourite with brave knight, Rahul Bhoran, facing an onslaught of arrows fired at him by youngsters for much of the day.

On the battlefield, knights in red fought for the honour of Stratford against the unruly mob in blue representing New Plymouth "and everywhere else". Unsurprisingly, Stratford was generally victorious in the fights, to the vocal delight of those watching.

Some of the fun at Baldricks Day Out.

Tug of war competitions and sack races also provided entertainment, while the kids zone — which featured plenty of free fun for children including pony rides — attracted large crowds throughout the day.

Simone Morris had come from New Plymouth for the day with her four children.

"I can't believe this was free to enter with so many things to see and do without having to fork out heaps of money.

"Normally we end up only staying a little while at events because there is so much extra you end up paying for. Once you time that by four children it quickly adds up. Here we have been able to stay longer and do more, and can even afford to buy some lunch and eat it while we watch the fighting."

Some fun at Baldricks Day Out.

Watching the men and women on horseback demonstrate skill at arms was a highlight for Simone's daughter, Natalee (8).

"They are really fast and do clever things like throwing a spear at the big pig [boar]. I think you would win more fights on a horse over having to fight with people on the ground."