photos from the 2010 Medieval Festival in Ft. Tryon Park
I attended the 26th Annual Medieval Festival in Ft. Tryon Park last weekend. Once again I was dressed as Robin Hood, with a slightly better green jersey than last year's. The Festival had a stellar attendance, with as many as 80,000 people passing through the gates, double the number who attended last year. Below are some photos of the event, starting with my costume since, if you are following this blog, chances are you have a modicum of interest in my costumes.
Here I am, channelling Errol Flynn with my Robin Hood jersey that I made from an old tee-shirt.
And here's the original, the incomparable Errol Flynn. Not much resemblance but the shirt looks pretty good, I think.
Attempting an adventurous pose. It takes a lot of coaching for me to do anything but stand there sheepishly.
The 'official' Robin Hood and Friar Tuck. They shouted 'cease and desist' when they saw my costume, but I assured them I'm Rob's biggest fan.
There were several of us at the Festival, though I think I was the only woman. This fellow was a true archer, with unstrung bow per Festival regulations.
Ft. Tryon Park is quite beautiful and tranquil. I really should make an effort to go there more than once a year.
I'm not sure who this fellow is, but he looked rather daunting with his feathered collar and cuffs. Perhaps the Grim Reaper?
A group of pirate-y and belly dancing types, loosely interpreting the Middle Ages
Musicians were among the many performers scattered throughout the Festival.
Brightly-dressed couple with Tudorish fellow.
The Festival blacksmith after demonstrations.
I'm not sure what kind of instrument this is, but the lady played it all day with her baby on her back.
I believe this is the official King and Queen of the Festival, with a Merlinish fellow.
Somehow an Orc drifted onto the tournament field!
SCA Combatants on the lawn using real blows, but fake weapons. They explained that using real weapons would mean fake blows to avoid fatality.
Though the swords are made of rattan, it still looks a bit uncomfortable to parry about.
Kenneth Aubin of Striking Distance Exotics did the falconry demonstrations.
Kenneth's lovely girlfriend helped out despite having just completed a double shift at the hospital where she works.
The horses were the true stars of the show.
Ring jousting requires the knights to capture one or more rings with their lances.
Another game of the jousts was sparring with wooden lances, with points awarded for breaking the opponent's lance.
In the Middle Ages, as now, jousting is an expensive and rather dangerous hobby.
After a 'spontaneous' mass fight broke out on the playing field, this fellow was the "only knight who didn't dishonor himself," according to the MC.
Jousts also included unmounted combat.
The mounted combat was the highlight of the tournament, with sparks literally flying from the clashing swords.
Here I am, channelling Errol Flynn with my Robin Hood jersey that I made from an old tee-shirt.
And here's the original, the incomparable Errol Flynn. Not much resemblance but the shirt looks pretty good, I think.
Attempting an adventurous pose. It takes a lot of coaching for me to do anything but stand there sheepishly.
The 'official' Robin Hood and Friar Tuck. They shouted 'cease and desist' when they saw my costume, but I assured them I'm Rob's biggest fan.
There were several of us at the Festival, though I think I was the only woman. This fellow was a true archer, with unstrung bow per Festival regulations.
Ft. Tryon Park is quite beautiful and tranquil. I really should make an effort to go there more than once a year.
I'm not sure who this fellow is, but he looked rather daunting with his feathered collar and cuffs. Perhaps the Grim Reaper?
A group of pirate-y and belly dancing types, loosely interpreting the Middle Ages
Musicians were among the many performers scattered throughout the Festival.
Brightly-dressed couple with Tudorish fellow.
The Festival blacksmith after demonstrations.
I'm not sure what kind of instrument this is, but the lady played it all day with her baby on her back.
I believe this is the official King and Queen of the Festival, with a Merlinish fellow.
Somehow an Orc drifted onto the tournament field!
SCA Combatants on the lawn using real blows, but fake weapons. They explained that using real weapons would mean fake blows to avoid fatality.
Though the swords are made of rattan, it still looks a bit uncomfortable to parry about.
Kenneth Aubin of Striking Distance Exotics did the falconry demonstrations.
Kenneth's lovely girlfriend helped out despite having just completed a double shift at the hospital where she works.
The horses were the true stars of the show.
Ring jousting requires the knights to capture one or more rings with their lances.
Another game of the jousts was sparring with wooden lances, with points awarded for breaking the opponent's lance.
In the Middle Ages, as now, jousting is an expensive and rather dangerous hobby.
After a 'spontaneous' mass fight broke out on the playing field, this fellow was the "only knight who didn't dishonor himself," according to the MC.
Jousts also included unmounted combat.
The mounted combat was the highlight of the tournament, with sparks literally flying from the clashing swords.