Barnabas, who told the group he needed their help in medieval times, first had to prove he was a time traveler. After they didn’t seem impressed by Benjamin Franklin’s toothbrush or Beethoven’s first harmonica, he pulled out Leonardo da Vinci’s underwear, drawing a cheer.

Those in attendance first had to pledge to use the skills they learned to defend, not attack, dragons.

Barnabas explained the dangers from dragons — including dragon’s breath and fire. Luckily, he had inventions to show children how to protect themselves without bringing a dragon to the library.

“You don’t want me to bring an actual dragon here today,” he explained. “If I bring a dragon, it will get loose and poop all over the books,” which he would then be forced to clean up.

Chase Reynolds, 9, of Norway, successfully trains the dragon and is allowed to pet it at the Dragon Training Academy program Monday at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

The first invention he demonstrated was the “breathalyzer dragonator,” which looks suspiciously like a garbage can with a shower curtain taped on the top and a hole cut in the bottom.

“Before you all go ‘Mr. Barnabas, that looks just like a trash can,’ it is much more,” he promised. When he thumped the bottom, it produces a sonic boom — which can’t be seen unless he adds fog from a fog machine.

Two volunteers were given crowns provided by “King Burger” and then presented with swords to slash at the fog.

Another volunteer faced the dragon’s fire, provided by a leaf blower with a dragon’s head attached and a lighter. Unfortunately, Barnabas forgot the lighter, so said he had to use toilet paper to represent fire. Luckily the volunteer had his shield for protection.

Finally, Barnabas relayed his expert tips to train a dragon.

Joseph LeFreniere, 5, and his 3-year-old sister, Anya, of Norway, giggle as the baby dragon Pumpernickel pretends to bite them during the Dragon Training Academy program at the Dickinson County Library in Iron Mountain. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

“First hold up an index finger to get the dragon’s attention,” he advised. “With the dragon focused on you and your finger, walk toward him and put your hand on the dragon’s nose.”

Once he was sure someone could train it, he used his time travel trunk to produce a small dragon for a volunteer to train. The dragon was named Layla by someone in the crowd and seemed to approve of the name.

Barnabas later showed the crowd a baby dragon he named Pumpernickel, after his favorite food. Children were able to come up and pet Pumpernickel and pose for photographs.

Barnabas — aka Caleb Strutz — is part of the Wisconsin-based Strutz Entertainment family of performers and shows. He has taken his Dragon Training Academy to numerous libraries.

The event was sponsored by BOSS Snowplow.