Renaissance Event

Today, we attended a Renaissance festival event at a local college that included folks in medieval costumes, demonstrations of arts and crafts of the period, a display of chain mail, swords, and other weapons and accouterments of war, a dance workshop, storytelling, maypole dancing, heavy fighting battles, archery, and a chamber music concert, among other things.



One of the members of the chorale singers group, we were surprised to learn, is our cable TV guy. Until we heard his solo, we had no idea he has such a nice tenor voice. The storyteller and the "medieval musician" are both folks we know, too.



Included among the exhibits was a glass-top display case of authentic pages from a 1500s Geneva Bible. Interesting, too, were student exhibits illustrating such topics as barbaric medieval medical practices, discoveries in astronomy, and the artistic and scientific genius of Leonardo DaVinci. There was also a miniature working replica of a catapult. Foil wrapped candy was provided for those wanting to try the weapon.

Members of The Society for Creative Anachronism, dressed in battle costumes, engaged in heavy fighting re-enactments, while other members demonstrated archery skills. The SCA, an international organization, is dedicated to "researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17-century Europe." The organization's exhibits included demonstrations on creating chain mail, weaving, and calligraphy.

The event made for an interesting couple of hours on a chilly morning.