Over the last few years, a local Medieval festival has developed. Although still small, it is growing and acquiring more merchants, performers and living history demonstrators. The Siren Crew (aka Morgan's Compagnie) likes it because the drive is easy. Unfortunately it means that the evenings are quiet because many people go home at dark rather than play after hours. I won't mention that the first night got so cold that I drove home at 1 AM so I could sleep warmly. I got a scolding from John & Pia and Thorne for not slipping into one of their beds :)
Those of us who stayed over made the rounds and invited other participants to join us in camp. We had two pleasant evenings of conversation and song. Liam, a merchant of quills, ink pots and temporary Irish marriages, regaled us with many stories he had written and recited in verse. On Sunday, John did right by three of his harem girls, and got hitched in one of Liam's weddings. Sadly, Kristin could not be there, but there's hope that some day John will make an honest woman out of her.
One living historian was Sven Lugar, who has studied Norse culture. Sven set up three traditional tents, including a Sammi hunting tent that resembles a tipi. (Coincidentally, there was a fellow set up behind Sven who had gotten his continents and eras confused. He had a North American tipi and wore buckskin trapper's garb.) Sven also displayed a handmade stringed instrument (can't recall the name), viking arms and a loom for weaving belts and straps. He also taught several of us to sand cast pewter.
Tony, John and Colin's gang of LARPers (live-action role play) set up an eric for swordplay. Much of the time it was home to boffer battles, where the LARPers would pit themselves against a horde of wee "goblins" (sorry, no photos). Boffers are toy weapons made of PVC pipe and foam, and wrapped with duct tape. The boffer merchant saw land office business. The big kids, like Tony, John, Thorne and Colin played with live steel. Tony has a small scar above his eyebrow from one such battle a couple of years ago.
At the tavern, Tony, John and Thorne drummed up business by singing any drinking song they could remember. In camp, we would occasionally start a game of koob or hunkerhauser, either among ourselves or with some visitors. We also had some woodworking demos, and continually told people not to touch the weaponry.
There were also jousts by professional touring jousters, but I kept missing the show. One knight was soundly knocked off his horse twice. He wasn't walking too steadily afterward, but apparently recovered enough for the next day's show.
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