Roanoke County’s Green Hill Park stepped back in time and looked like a page out of the Middle Ages with the 8th annual Medieval Faire last Saturday and Sunday. There was jousting, sword fighting, greyhound races, arts and crafts, face painting, and food booths. Wandering musicians and bards enchanted the crowd. Bagpipe players gathered in a circle and serenaded those in attendance, and children participated in games such as “Ratapult” and “Sheep Toss”.
The Highland Games were back, too, with unusual competitions, like lifting a 115 pound rock over one’s head as many times as possible in a timed competition, and seeing how long a competitor could hold a large, heavy pole upright without it tipping over and hitting the ground.
The event has been known to attract as many as 2,000 spectators. Saturday’s attendance was lower because of continuous rain but Sunday was sunny and warm. Denise Pully, with Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism, said Sunday’s crowd more than made up for Saturday. She says several Scottish “clans” (tied to the Highlands games) attended this year, which is something new.
Who comes to this event? “Somebody who appreciates history and living history, for sure. It enables people to feel like it was back in the day,” observed Pully. Sir Blackwolf agreed. “A person who loves history and pageantry and festivity. This is the place for them, without a doubt.” He was portraying a Welch knight from the 15th Century. His wife, Lady Dagrny, was a Danish knight. “It’s little known that women are knights, as well,” he said.
“Sir Blackwolf” and his wife have produced the Medieval Faire the past four years. They also own Medieval Fantasies Company, located near Staunton, and travel throughout the country teaching living history, while performing at weddings and other events.
Many people came decked out in costume for the event. Sir Blackwolf wore a harness, part of his armor, along with a leather tunic. “My armor weighs 80 pounds, all told,” he noted. Lady Dagrny’s armor weighed a mere 26 pounds.
Brenda Ragland from Vinton and her great-niece, Reece, from Check, came for the fun. “Today it’s not raining,” said Brenda. Reece was dressed in a new, royal blue gown with pearls adorning the waist and a large pearl on her headband. Princess Reece, as she called herself, was called out of the crowd to play the tambourine during one of the bard’s performances. The princess said she enjoyed the “dog race, sword fighting, and the puppet show.”
The next event for Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism is the Poor Mountain Hill Climb (a bicycle endurance race) on October 4. The county department is also one of the sponsors of Enchanted Eve, held every New Year’s Eve in Vinton.
By Beverly Amsler [email protected]