2012 News Releases

Fantasy Faire

CONTACT: Janet Peterson, Marketing and Public Relations Director

TEL: (856) 825-6800, ext. 108 / FAX: (856) 825-2410

E-MAIL: jpeterson@wheatonarts.org

Millville, NJ – Characters from folklore, fairy tales and fantasy come to life on June 23 and 24 at the Fantasy Faire at WheatonArts. The event is a family-friendly festival blending historic fact with myth and popular fantasy from the medieval and renaissance periods of history. Knights and princesses stand side-by-side with elves and fairies, and the day is filled with performances pleasing to children of all ages.

The event is produced by WheatonArts in partnership with Mystic Realms, a local theater club. The theme is the general Medieval to Renaissance period. Performers bring to life the “Kingdom of Wheaton” by enacting a series of interconnected shows that tell the story of the day. There are villains, heroes and a grand tournament at the end, as well as, renaissance music, dancing, singing, free children’s’ crafts, wandering minstrels, and sword-fighting. Strolling costumed characters, portraying historical and mythical figures, will interact with visitors on the grounds.

Young children will enjoy Story Book Grove where characters such as Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Prince Charming, and the Pied Piper tell their stories. At the Pirate Games children meet the crew of the Hispaniola from Treasure Island and win prizes from the friendly pirates. Children of all ages will enjoy the wide variety of shows, performances and educational demonstrations that are offered throughout the day.

This year’s highlighted events include:

■ The Grymm Witches who will delight children and parents with their funny antics, story-telling skills and comedic delight.

■ Phoenix Swords, a professional medieval performance team from Massachusetts, is joined by the Mystic Mercenaries of Philadelphia and both will offer displays of martial proficiency using weapons from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.

■ Seamus McDougal, the area's foremost whip expert, will display his talents at whip cracking in single and double whip demonstrations with audience participation and free lessons.

■ Performers from the Cumberland Players will be showing parts of Shakespeare's famous tragedy Romeo and Juliet.

■ The Misplaced Pub musicians will perform traditional ballads as they wander through the Faire.

■ Costumed characters will raise the “May Pole” and everyone (especially the children) can participate in the traditional ceremonial dance that wraps the pole with ribbons to music.

■ At the Court of Miracles are characters from the Hunchback of Notre Dame and local dancing troupes demonstrating various types of dancing and drumming techniques from the 1500s to 1700s.

■ The Three Musketeers offer young adults an opportunity to learn swordplay using foam weapons.

■ Education demonstrations include use of medieval weapons and armor, weaving and cloth making, glass blowing and heraldry.

Merchants and vendors will offer jewelry, medieval and fantasy costumes, leather goods and psychic readings. Food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Visitors will receive a detailed program of activities both days.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. The Fantasy Faire is included in the price of admission to WheatonArts. Saturday: Adults $10.00, Senior Adults $9.00 and Students $7.00. Children five and under are free. Sunday: Adults $10.00 and Senior Adults $9.00. All children 17 and under are admitted free (funded by a grant through the PNCArts Alive initiative, a five-year, $5 million investment from the PNC Foundation that supports visual and performing arts groups with the goal of increasing access and engagement).

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

WheatonArts strives to ensure the accessibility of its exhibitions, events and programs to all persons with additional needs. 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, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and New Jersey Cultural Trust. WheatonArts receives general operating support from the New Jersey Historical Commission, Division of Cultural Affairs in the New Jersey Department of State, and is supported in part by the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

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