June 18, 2003

Fair trip back in time

Northwood Renaissance Fair this weekend in Interlochen

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer

For a merry olde time this weekend, the Northwood Renaissance Fair offers something for everyone: from jousting to juggling to joviality.
The fair is being held on the grounds of the Eagles property in Interlochen where festival organizers have fenced in 22 acres to recreate a Medieval village. The two-weekend event drew 2,000 attendees last weekend, mingling knights, ladies and even an executioner with babies in strollers, teens and families. Camel rides, a petting zoo and a professional falconer helped entertain all ages.

Herald photo by Garret Leiva
Stanley Coleman enters the jousting arena with his Clydesdale Poor Bill to take on Anthony Feery and his steed Melissa in full-contact jousting Saturday at the Northwood Renaissance Festival at the Interlochen Eagles Arena.

Passing through the castle gates at the fair's entrance, the sights and sounds of bygone centuries flow past: vendors hawking their wares, street performers jollying their audience, lords and ladies greeting each other cordially. Blacksmiths sweated over their forges, carvers shaped walking sticks, animals, musicians and storytellers roamed.
The trip back in time is courtesy of the vision, knowledge and perseverance of Ted King of Mesick. King, a 23-year 'Rennie' - or Renaissance festival veteran - came out of semi-retirement to create the event. He relishes all the sights, sounds and smells of the event wonderful, especially the delight he sees so often on children's faces.
"If you've ever seen the look on a baby or small child's face when he sees his very first fireworks, that's the look they have when they see their first jousting," said King, who for decades has been involved in fairs as an organizer, cook, presenter and just about everything else. "That look is priceless."
For the event, King fielded 15 volunteers, two dozen paid employees and between 125-150 people in costume as either vendors, craftspeople or entertainers. The huge operation took nine intensive months of planning.
"I love what we did here and I really appreciate all the support from the community and the Eagles Club and the nationwide Renaissance community," he added, noting most first-year festivals are lucky to get two dozen vendors or presenters. "We definitely worked very hard to create this village for everyone."

Herald photo by Garret Leiva
Elizabeth Klein, 6, and Richard Klein, 10, go for a ride courtesy of Bubba the camel Saturday at the Northwood Renaissance Festival in Interlochen.

A forest of brightly colored tents featured 47 vendors offering everything from handmade musical instruments, costumes and masks to swords, herbs and heraldic shields. Everything an aspiring peasant, princess or prince could want is available, including drinking horns, royal pennants and even turkey legs to waive during a joust.
Occasionally over the weekend the eras melded in unusual ways: a blacksmith discussing liability insurance with a fellow vendor and a passing lady in waiting dishing on a cell phone.
Overall, the illusion of the Medieval era held up well - minus the Bubonic Plague, of course. King, while captivated by the elegance and grit of this era, is clear that Renaissance fairs are merely an entertaining slice of the modern world.
"I love the era, but you know when people say they wish they could travel there, I say, 'What part of the Bubonic Plague don't you understand?'" he said. "I like to recreate the fantasy of the time but as far as living there, I'm glad I live in the 21st Century right now."
Yarrow Yard of Floyd, Virginia, created intricate mobile works of art at her face-painting booth. Yard was raised on the Renaissance Fair circuit and apprenticed herself to an experienced face painter about six years ago. She now hosts her own booth at shows in the Midwest and along the East Coast for six months of the year.
She enjoys the vibrant wave of humanity that passes by her booth at fairs, making for nary a dull moment.
"A lot of the entertainment here is the street characters who take on a persona and entertain," said Yard, whose parents sell handmade bamboo instruments.