Me boots thrashed through hay. The earth beneath them, mushy. Clumps of soil clung onto my sole as I made my way across the field. It was already drizzling, and the dark canopy of clouds hovering above indicated a possibility of a downpour.
Ahead of us were two women in kirtles — with capes protecting them from the rain — rushing towards a cluster of conical tents. A knight passed as we followed their trail. A knight.
I caught sight of people in tunics gathered around a cauldron over an open fire as we approached the encampment. Just an hour prior, I had Chinese takeaway (packed in a disposable plastic container) for lunch and now I see people cradling wooden/clay bowls in their arms, seemingly waiting for their meal. Did our station wagon travel back in time?
The reality… We’re still in year 2015. And at the St. Ives Showground which was splendidly dressed as a Medieval village. It’s only on its second year yet the Ku-ring-gai Council and the St. Ives Medieval Faire’s team did a good job in polishing the nitty-gritty of the event. Based on what I saw, everything from program to parking was well organized. The weather was hostile at times but what’s a medieval fest without grime and drama?
Earlier at the entrance, we grabbed one of the soaked program guides thinking we needed something to lead the way. But we ended up aimlessly gallivanting and stalking costumed folks around anyhow. Our initial plan to stick around for an hour to “simply check it out” (because for us, purchasing a $30 ticket per person online beforehand means there’s no backing out even if the weather turns sour) ended up being three hours of hopping and sprinting from one program/activity to another. There was something for every age, every character, and every appetite!
We were spellbound.
I pray to the Medieval gods we get to attend again next year. I’ll be coming as an Anglo-Saxon!
Learn more about this spectacular family entertainment, scoot over to www.stivesmedievalfaire.com.au for more information. See you next year!
I am so fascinated by Medieval anything. There’s a handful of Medieval faires around here, but I haven’t been. Pity.
I was there as well! Last year was a bit smaller, but a lot of the same people and activities were there. I plan on attending next year as a knight, a squire for Sir Andrew McKinnon, or run a blacksmithing stall, depending on what skills I develop over the next 12 months.