Renaissance times have never been so much fun! Yesterday we spent Student Day at Scarborough Festival. It's quite an experience, and you absolutely cannot see everything one day.
One artisan demonstrated how to use a weight on a crank to create stamped jewelry. The desired plate design was placed over the medallion, and then a ginormous weight was used to pound the plate design into the medallion.
 |
| Artisan demonstrating stamped medallion necklaces |
Just for Student Day, he created inexpensive $5 designs from a penny :) Madeline wanted the Star of David but he had at least 50 designs. Now I wish I'd bought one for myself, too!
 |
| Artisan's assistant cranking the weight. |
The most popular demonstration...jousting!
Four champions competed and ours executed all the preliminary skills perfectly. But another champion won the final round. It was fun cheering nonetheless. |
| A rival champion |
 |
| The eventual jousting winner! |
There were so many demonstrations and shows. No matter how hard we tried, we didn't get to see all the artisans. There were soapmakers, candle makers, glass blowers, chain mail fabricators, costume designers, stain glass artists, and the list goes on...Plus shows for knife throwing, birds of prey, storytelling, and more.
Want to try fencing and show your sword skills?
Sports weren't just limited to the demonstrators. Attendees could practice fencing, complete with leather apron and mesh face gear. Balloons were attached at the shoulders and above the head. If all your balloons were popped, you were eliminated. Surprisingly, Madeline preferred watching the fencing more than the jousting. |
| Fencing practice |
All the rides were human powered.
Madeline took a whirl on a couple non-mechanized rides. All the 'swings' were attached to a center pole that was powered by two men! Once all the swings were in motion, one the men would spin the swings around and around. Madeline LOVED it.  |
| Enjoying a man-powered ride |
Madeline was dying to do this ride so I let her. She said it was exhilarating...I think she's nuts. You just slingshot yourself up into the air! She in no way gets her adrenaline junkie ways from me.
Have you ever been to a Renaissance festival? What was your favorite part?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hearing your thoughts and comments makes my day! It's always fun making new friends, so don't be too shy to introduce yourself :)
Have a question? Ask away! I promise to answer as quickly as I can.