[Grovenet] Medieval Faire starts today!

[Alana Graham]

Faire in the Grove - 2009 Medieval Faire  - FREE!
 
For this one weekend, the clock will be turned back and the Grand Lodge will be transformed into a medieval village complete with demonstrations of fencing, archery, royal court protocol, medieval cooking, crafts, braiding, book-making and much more.

McMenamins Grand Lodge Hosts 2009 Medieval Faire 

Friday May 1: 3:00 to dusk
Saturday May 2: 10:00 am to dusk
Sunday May 3: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

www.FaireInTheGrove.com

(FOREST GROVE, OR) Pacific University History Department and the Shire of Dragon's Mist of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) are proud to announce their fourth annual Medieval Faire and Tournament. Set for the first weekend of May, McMenamins Grand Lodge is sponsoring an exciting outdoor event designed for the entire community and people of all ages.

For this one weekend, the clock will be turned back and the Grand Lodge will be transformed into a medieval village complete with demonstrations of fencing, archery, royal court protocol, medieval cooking, crafts, braiding, book-making and much more. There will also be medieval crafts for sale and entertainment by various groups all day long, including singing, theatre, dance and, of course, the royal court. And certainly, medieval food will be available, too.
"The Medieval Faire has truly become a Forest Grove activity: an opportunity for Pacific University and the town to join together and provide an event that draws thousands to our city," said Martha Rampton, professor of history at Pacific and founder of Faire in the Grove. "The faire is educational, fun, and a good way to celebrate spring."

At least 8000 people are expected to attend throughout the weekend. In addition to performances and demonstrations, there will be vendor booths where people can purchase a variety of items from food to weapons to books. All booths will be staffed by people costumed to appear as though they are part of the middle ages. Vendors will include chair massages, jewelry, hand-made medieval items, handcrafted leather journals, herbs and baked goods, candles, soap, fantasy collectibles, crowns, magic wands and swords.

Musical performances and other entertainment will be continuous throughout the weekend. There will be SCA members demonstrating medieval dancing, weaving, artwork (scribe work), costuming, history and even blacksmithing. One of the more exciting attractions will be a day-long medieval fighting tournament where knights, lords and possibly some ladies will don their armor and battle in a variety of martial styles for prizes and honor on the field of combat.
Watching over the tournament will be a Baron and Baroness who will be holding court Saturday evening to award the tournament winners and recognize volunteers for their achievements. The general public is invited to view the court as part of the day's closing ceremonies.

The Medieval Faire and Tournament will take place on the beautiful grounds of McMenamin's grand lodge at 3505 Pacific Ave. Forest Grove, Oregon on Friday May 1, 3:00 to dusk, Saturday May 2, 10:00 am to dusk, Sunday May 3, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. It is free and open to the public; items and food will be available for purchase. See the website for all the details www.FaireInTheGrove.com. Special thanks to the Elise Elliott Trust for partial funding.