WheatonArts :: Calendar :: 2011 Programs and Events :: Fantast Faire
2011 Programs and Events
FANTASY FAIRE
A Family Festival of Medieval Arts and Folklife
June 25 & 26, 2011 10am to 5pm both days
Experience the mythical “Kingdom of Wheaton” and enjoy a day-long drama with courtly intrigue and dazzling swordplay that ends in a Grand Tournament, Performances and Demonstrations.
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The Kingdom of Wheaton is a peaceful realm, ruled bythe good King William IV. The Kingdom is divided into four Baronies. The Baron of the South, the Baron of the East and the Baron of the West are hereditary Barons whose families have ruled for more than four generations. The Baron of the North was appointed last year. Every year the King hosts the Tournament of Prosperity where each of the Barons bring a champion to compete. During the year the Barons search the world for unique combatants from faraway lands (characters from traditional folklore will be treated as real in the Land of Wheaton). Each year the winning Barony is given a chest of gold. At the end of the tournament, according to ancient custom, the King must drink a toast to the winner of the tournament. Last Year, Queen Cordelia, a much younger woman, plotted with the former Baron of the North (now called the Banished Baron) to poison the King. The poison was created by the Grymm Witches and placed in the victory toast, but before the King could toast the champion the children warned the King not to drink. The plan was undone and King William banished the Baron of the North and the Queen. This year the Banished Baron and Queen Cordelia return to the Kingdom of Wheaton. They have captured the children of important persons in the kingdom and by threatening to harm the children they force King William to surrender his crown. The Banished Baron and Queen Cordelia change the Tournament’s name to the Tournament of Blood and Brutality. During the day, hired Mercenaries attempt to kill the Barons of the East and West, but they are saved by peasants, who later rescue the children. The witches cast a spell to create a magic dust that will make the Banished Baron a coward. Just before the start of the tournament the children throw magic dust on the Banished Baron. He becomes a coward and Queen Cordelia leaves vowing her revenge. |
The Fantasy Faire hosts merchants offering a variety of unique products.
Food and refreshments will be available for purchase.
The Fantasy Faire is included in the price of admission to WheatonArts.
WheatonArts is located less than an hour from Philadelphia, Atlantic City and Cape May!
This year’s highlighted events include:
■ Lucas Simmons, internationally known performer, defies death and logic with his one-of- a-kind “Stupid Human Danger Show,” a family friendly sideshow demonstrating daredevil stunts and other tricks!
■ Phoenix Swords, a professional medieval performance team from Massachusetts, will offer a display of martial proficiency using weapons from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
■ The Grymm Witches will delight children and parents with their funny antics, story-telling skills and comedic delight.
■ Seamus McDougal, Philadelphia’s foremost whip expert, will display his talents at whip cracking in single and double whip demonstrations with audience participation and free lessons.
■ The Misplaced Pub musicians will perform traditional ballads as they wander through the Faire.
■ Costumed characters will raise the “Spring Pole” and everyone (especially the children) can participate in the traditional ceremonial dance that wraps the pole with ribbons to music.
■ The “Hofla” stage offers performers from many local dancing troupes demonstrating various types of dancing and drumming techniques from the 1500s to 1700s. They will have a trading post around their stage.
■ Education demonstrations include use of medieval weapons and armor, weaving and cloth making, glass blowing ("Fire Breathing Glass") and heraldry.
■ "Glass Tokens & Talismans" Walk-in Two hour Hands-On Class available on Saturday only, June 25, 2011 between 10am to 3pm. In this introduction to kiln fired glass, workshop participants will experiment with fused and painted techniques to make small glass tokens and talismans. Students will work with precut blanks which they will paint with glass pigments and decorate with colored shards for fusing. All materials provided. No experience necessary. Projects will require several hours of kiln processing and can be picked up or mailed back to the workshop participants.
"Glass Tokens & Talismans" Ages: 12 and above, $30 Non-Members, Instructor: J. Kenneth Leap; Teens are especially encouraged to participate! Sign up at the Gatehouse or Online>>
