Here is an example picture of each. For more information click on the title of the organization to move to one of their homepages. The SCA is a world wide organization that promotes recreational medievalism. Many people, like myself, fight, and many do not. The fighting is done with weapons made of rattan that most certainly could cause serious injury if the proper equipment isn't worn.
All fighters wear varying amounts of armor made from steel, leather, and other rigid materials.
Annual events that last from a weekend to over a week are common. Two notable events are the Pennsic and Estrella wars. Pennsic occurs annually in Pennsylvania drawing nearly 10,000 people, over 2,000 of which take the field every year for a battle describable only as epic. Estrella, located in Arizona, also draws the crowds every year. Many of these people stay for a week, some for two.