June 16, 2004
Festival step back in time
Northwood Renaissance Festival runs June 19-20 and 26-27 in Interlochen
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
The Northwood Renaissance Festival is a feast of history, featuring lords and ladies, storytellers and falconers, artisans and craftsman who take attendees on a journey to medieval times.
The second annual fair opened last weekend at the Interlochen Eagles Arena and featured parades, jousting knights, exotic animals and roving entertainers. The festival, which will also be held on June 19-20 and 26-27, welcomes history buffs or fantasy seekers alike to the 22-acre facility. Using wood and their imagination, organizers have transformed the grounds into a medieval village.
Lochenshire, the name of the 16th century village, bustles with activity of more than 25 vendors. Knives and swords, kilts and costumes are some of the offerings throughout the village, which also included tents selling jewelry, cloaks and musical instruments. Fyne drynks, magik wands and dragon's teeth help keep attendees in the medieval mood.
Last year, the Northwood Renaissance Festival drew more than 4,000 people over four days. While predicted gloomy weather and numerous graduation parties kept the gate down last weekend, organizers hope more will try out their unique offerings in coming weekends.
"People come because it is different, a step back in time," said Laura King of Mesick, who founded the festival with her husband, Ted.
The Kings have been attending and working at fairs for 24 years, gaining a reputation as excellent cooks. Last year, they decided to throw a fair in their own back yard and mined their contacts in the field to populate Lochenshire with a range of vendors and entertainers.
Ted King said events such as the festival fill a need for family fun in the region.
"The appeal is that there is a dearth of family-oriented entertainment in northern Michigan," said Ted King, who sponsors six children's charities during the event. "I'm a family-oriented person and I want shows geared to the family, we have a children's playground, a petting zoo and pony rides."
"Here you can do things you never, ever get to do elsewhere, like ride a camel or watch full-contact jousting," he noted.
One of more than 300 Renaissance-themed fairs around the country, Northwood taps the tight-knit community of Rennies, as they term themselves, who travel the circuit. Much like an art fair circuit, they get to know each other and look forward to renewing acquaintances at each stop.
"I love Renaissance Fair season because to me it feels like summer camp," said Lady Lavendula Bellerum, also known as Ellen Russell, of Kalamazoo. "Everybody shares everything; somewhere there's someone with bug spray, sunscreen or needle and thread. If you can't find what you need, you go and make new friends."
Sharing a booth with a buddy, Russell offered hair braiding and beading as well as a range of herbal soaps and sachets. Garbed in a flowing gown, she greeted passerby in old English and relished being Lady Lavendula.
"It's a rich world, especially if you like old-fashioned escapism," she noted.
The period clothing drew Harold and Brenda Wagner of Muskegon to the festival Sunday afternoon. With their grown daughter, Kristin, throwing a medieval wedding with mandatory costumes for the 30 guests, the couple was shopping for appropriate men's boots.
"She's getting married in a 14th century castle in Ireland and we're having our costumes made, we found the costumer on the Internet," said Brenda Wagner, as she and her husband searched at their third Renaissance Fair for suitable footgear. "Our daughter is keeping it very authentic, but she's not a history buff, she just loves to travel."
The Northwood Renaissance Festival will be open, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. daily on the weekends of June 19-20 and 26-27. Admission is $9.95 for adults, $5.95 for children ages 6-12 and free for children ages five and under. The Northwest Michigan Blood Mobile will be on hand on Saturday, June 26; anyone donating blood will receive free admission to the festival.