Press Releases 2007

Fantasy Faire

MYSTIC REALMS presents
fantasy faire: a festival of medieval arts and folklife AT WHEATONARTS

The event focuses on the general Medieval to Renaissance period, but Mystic Realms blends history with myths and legends of the time. Actors portray knights, maidens, nobles and peasants, as well as mythical characters from various cultures. Knights stand side-by-side with elves and traditional musicians play period instruments in front of fairies.

Mystic Realms has created a story about the “Kingdom of Wheaton” for the event. There are villains, heroes and a grand tournament. The “Kingdom of Wheaton” story scenes take place on the Tournament Field Stage. The schedule is:

■ Noon - Procession and Announcement of the Tournament

■ 1 p.m. - Suspicions Discussed and Denied

■ 2 p.m. - Procession and Introduction of the Champions

■ 3 p.m. - The Plot Is Revealed

■ 4 p.m. – Procession and Tournament

The Faire focuses on art and folklife in the Middle Ages. A wide variety of educational shows, performances and demonstrations are planned to entertain families. They include:

■ Tavern Songs

■ Bawdy Ballads

■ Harpist David Bowden

■ The Not-So-Juggling Show

■ Crushing, Chopping, Cleaving (medieval weapons effectiveness on melons)

■ Whip Show (whip cracking, single and double whip demonstrations with audience participation)

■ “Hofla” - Performers demonstrate various types of Middle-Eastern dancing and drumming techniques from the 1500s to 1700s. They will have a trading post around their stage.

■ 16th Century Re-Enactment Living. The group will provide information about food preparation, interactions with the nobles, childbirth, children and crafting.

■ The Society For Creative Anachronism Encampment. Tower Hill, a group from SCA, will share their skills and knowledge with the audience.

■ Markland Mercenary Militia. This group uses heavy padded weapons to simulate combat.

■ ARMA. The group is devoted to researching historical weapons. They will demonstrate traditional sword techniques from books written in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

■ Pirates Versus Musketeers (stunt show)

■ A Sampling of Shakespeare (actors perform various pieces from the author’s best known works)

■ The Improvisation and Acting Areas

- The Training Circle. Visitors learn how to safely fight fantasy beasts and monsters using padded weapons in a live-action, role playing style combat. Participants must be 14 years of age or older.

- The Museum of Legend. Legendary items from the “Kingdom of Wheaton” are displayed in the lakeside gazebo.

- Interactive Adventure. Visitors who have learned to fight in the Training Circle can go on a quest into the woods. Adventures are on a first-come, first served basis.

Children activities include Grimm Witches (the witches’ fairy tales are “reworked” so the witches succeed), Balloon Beasts (balloon animals) and Gypsy Crafts (coloring paper fairy wings, shields and swords, making bead necklaces and bracelets).

Visitors will pay a nominal fee for a pony ride and the knife and ax throwing opportunity. Pirates will have games of skill designed for children (Discus Throw, Bomb Toss and Eye-in-the-Hole). The cost is one dollar for three throws. The games are set up in a way that children will win every time and receive a prize.

Merchants and vendors will offer jewelry, medieval and fantasy costumes, leather goods and psychic readings. Food and refreshments will be available. Visitors will receive a detailed program of activities both days. The Fantasy Faire is included in the price of admission to WheatonArts: Adults $10.00, Senior Adults $9.00 and Students $7.00. Children five and under are free.

Sponsorship support for Fantasy Faire has been provided by Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

For more information about Mystic Realms, Ltd., visit www.mysticrealms.com. For information about the event and WheatonArts, call 856-825-6800 or 800-998-4552, or visit www.wheatonarts.org.

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with disabilities. Individuals needing special assistance or accommodations should provide notice at least two weeks in advance. Patrons with hearing and speech disabilities may contact WheatonArts through the New Jersey Relay Service (TRS) 800-852-7899 or by dialing 711.

Funding has been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. WheatonArts received a general operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State. Additional funds provided by the New Jersey Cultural Trust and the State Office of Travel and Tourism.

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