Currents and Color

Saturday, November 17, 2018

Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire 2018

This year, through my involvement with fencing, I was able to volunteer for the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire. The Society for Creative Anachronism held a special area within the Renaissance Faire where nothing was for sale and members showcased historical crafts and skills. It was purely educational and wonderfully entertaining!

It was a very different experience than the previous year I had gone to the Lady of the Lakes Renaissance Faire. Last year I had gone by myself and as a guest, wearing my typical shorts and flip flops, and merely observing. I had a great time that year, but it was nothing compared to the immersive joy I experienced this time.

Because I had been fencing for almost a year I already knew a lot people in the SCA, but I also met several new people who became quick friends. My responsibilities were to dive in, learn as much as I wanted, and represent the culture. Originally, I only signed up to volunteer one day, but I fell hard and ended up going all four days.

Photo by Jake Tessler

Part of being involved in the SCA is picking a persona and dressing the part. I’m still putting mine together but thankfully our event cordinator, Thyri (Melissa), had this lovely black dress for me to borrow.

Drust (Steve) and Teric (Theo) competing in heavy combat.

Ryan, who is in our fencing group, was also part of the court at Lady of the Lakes as Don Giovanni de’Medici.

Into the larger part of the faire this little boy was excited to meet the dragon.

Toki (Joe), a master bowman, explaining how to use a crossbow.

Lord David (Pops) overseeing a match between Scott and one of the younger heavy fighters.

I got to start to learn about shoe making from Corbin (Dearan) and how to make a bow string from Toki (Joe).

Heavy fighters Hywel (Ian) and James (Seth).

Thyri (Melissa) working with dyed fabric.

Ástríòr (Sarah) making glass beads.

Photo by Sarah Canatsey

Ástríòr (Sarah) was kind enough to teach me how to make my own glass bead.

After a few failed attempts I was able to get this adorable red bead.

Some of the beautiful examples of glass beads. Most of these were made by Thyri (Melissa).

Lady Arabella (Wendy) and Don Giovanni (Ryan).

Photo by Unknown

My meeting with the royal court: Don Giovanni (Ryan), myself, Lady Arabella (Wendy), and William Seymour (Cary).

Thyri (Melissa) teaching children how to make rings.

Last year I met Josh at his fencing station. I decided to give it a shot this year instead of just watching. Besides, I was a fencer now so I figured I stand a pretty good chance. Turns out, Josh is a pretty formidable opponent. We went two rounds and each won once.

I also got to see the same cat from last year sporting a new, shiny pair of wings.

His name is Flynn the Wonder Beast and he gets to travel all over the world with his owners.

Ending the day with a medieval joust.

The second weekend of the faire started out with a lesson in pewter casting with Kylan (Keith)

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen learning from these two talented ladies.

Adelheid (Cyndi) and Meghan.

They made a delicious chicken and vegetable soup for the SCA members, prepared traditionally in a cast iron pot.

Scott and fairgoer Naju (Juan) in full armour.

Lovely Saturday sunset over the faire.

Charles Howard (Ronne) and William (Jeremy).

Adelheid (Cyndi) browning apples for the apple pie.

Fellow fencer Lee with his girlfriend Sally.

Lord David (Pops).

Johan (John), Vivienne (Erica), and Faelynn.

Photo by Sally Harper

On Sunday we were able to get a picture with all the fighters. From left to right: Lee, David, Hywel (Ian), Giovanni (Ryan), myself, and Johan (John) in front.