Wow! What an awesome event! HUZZAH!!! To increase your understanding of the fun and frolic which took place this night, feel free to look at the special photo gallery I made of this event; 'tis labeled Medieval Feast, 2008, Grand Rapids, MI. Well, I'd never attended anything like this before and I was asked to be in charge of servers (head serving wench). I was pleasantly surprised. The serving staff did very well; no food dropped, no major incidents. Food and drink were delivered in safety; fun was had by the serving staff as we fulfilled our many duties. :) A request was also made that I sell "Kisses from a Wench" for a ducat to help enrich the kingdom's coffers. Of course, these were kisses on the cheek. 'tis a good thing that I keep a trusty, brightly colored lipstick nearby. *smile of mischief* Lots of fun was had with the Wench Kisses and plenty of good natured teasing, on the part of those buying the kisses for others AND those being kissed. Festivities of this night were carried out at the command and decree of His Royal Highness, King Richard the III. Announcements of the evenings events were done alternately by His Majesty or Lord Toar, the town crier. The entertainment was amazing!! We enjoyed: 1. dancing by the Dark Flower Gypsies, 2. Tommy Boys, from a local college, (they sang plainsong and chant things) this included the 'Domine' from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. 3. There was a chap who played the lute excellent well. 4. Darius was court jester for the evening and sold insults also. The insults were "effective" and hilarious, those being insulted were laughing heartily as well. 5. madrigal singers in residence, They sang songs of the period, most beautifully. 6. AND a magician who held the crowds attention with many amazing feats. 7. There was a time in the course of the evening when King Richard III knighted various and sundry folk in attendance. Myself included... for duty to King, fellow countrymen and meritorious execution of one's responsibilities. My "duty" which merited His Majesty's notice was the sale and delivery of kisses to help raise funds for the realm. SO I was knighted and for the purposes of the Medieval Feast at Grand Rapids, MI am now known as Dame Catherine, Duchess of VaVoom, LOL. I have heard tell of a pending parade in my part of the Shire, but sadly, haven't been able to obtain the details... yet. ;-) It seems as though I won't be putting my garb away for the season until after a costume party at a local ballroom dance studio. 
Medieval Feast, Grand Rapids, MI
Ho-hum...
Well 'tis the end of another faire, Grand Valley :(
Had lots of fun :)
Homework awaits :(
Pictures to download to my computer, then upload to my page, HUZZAH!!
Blog entry to write, fun! but when to find to time? Oh yeah, I heard that sleep is for the dead, SO that's how I'll find time :)
my room is a disaster :( I know my mug is in here somewhere LOL
Medieval Banquet Sat. Oct. 25 in Grand Rapids, MI, see toar.renspace.com for details. I'll be there working as a wench, serving food and drink ;)
Not sure if I'll get there, but...
One more faire in Michigan for the season, Mid-Michigan Renaissance Festival, Frankenmuth, MI each weekend through Sun. Nov. 2, gate opens at 10am :)
While at Grand Valley Faire this weekend, I received good news!! Two Faires are happening for sure in Michigan next year, Mayfaire and Derbyshire, HUZZAH!!
Mayfaire Renaissance Festival May 23/ 24/ 25 & 30/ 31, 2009. 10 am to 6 pm (rain or shine) *** Note opening weekend includes Memorial Day. Calhoun County Fairgrounds, Marshall, MI www.mayfaireren.com
Derbyshire Renaissance Faire June 20/ 21 & 27/ 28, 2009. 10 am to 6 pm (rain or shine) Muskegon County Fairgrounds, Muskegon, MI www.derbyshirerenfaire.com
SO, Grand Valley is the smallest Faire I've attended this year, BUT it's one awesome faire!! Several vendors I recognized from Derbyshire, Silver Leaf and MiRF were there including U.K. Market (the Welsh cookie guys, Yum!). Entertainment included Triton's Fury (musical pirates), Ric Roc (did I spell that right?) and Cross and Crown for sword fighting. The unpredictable weather of Michigan couldn't have been better for BOTH days, about 75-80 on Sat. and 80+ on Sun. with plenty of sunshine all around. I am so grateful I was able to attend the whole fair. As soon as I have information for this Faire next year, I will post it. (I'm learning how to use the calendar on this site, so as I hear about Faires, Michigan especially, I'll post them on my calendar to make it easy for your use.)
There are still several pictures I've taken recently that aren't loaded on my page, two I'm most excited to post are my daughter & I, the other is a picture of bodice burn... what can I say? Oops, forgot to put sunscreen there, LOL.
Anon...
GVSU, faires, etc.
Good gentles,
'tis my hope that you've been protected with safety in your travels.
Faith, this lass is beyond tired and knows your interest of happenings in the land... this is a brief missive to let you know that information and photos will be forthcoming.
Anon...
Report on KCRF... part 2
So the beginning of this journey was an invitation from a friend to KCRF... 'twas a risk of sorts to travel alone to a faire over 12 hours drive from my home town, BUT the whole experience was beyond awesome.
My journey began by leaving Michigan about 9pm on Thurs. Sep. 25 on a bus, the trip was essentially uneventful and concluded with my arrival in Kansas on Fri. Sep. 26 about 1:30 or 2pm. When I connected with my ride later that day, we stopped at the store for provisions, then went to our campsite.
Who knew 5 am could be SO early? It seemed especially early on Sat. the 27. I was too excited to sleep very well.
While dressing before gate Saturday and Sunday, I found a very able gentleman (who shall remain anonymous) to tie my bodice quite well. I will admit that 'twas the same fellow both days. When my personal preparations for each day were complete, I was able to help others as they arrived.
Saturday morning a friendly fairy "attacked" me with glitter, ok so I requested some glitter. Who am I to argue with a generous fairy? As her pin said "Glitter Happens."
Like I indicated in my previous post, the heat and humidity did bother me some on Saturday, but there were people nearby that were most helpful. Unfortunately, my body was still out of sorts on Sunday, but nothing was going to stop this lass from enjoying Canterbury and such a rare opportunity as to take in a fine weekend at KCRF.
Canterbury was a magical experience for this girl from Michigan, the music, fairies, pirates, shows, the cast... the whole thing. It ended all too soon... 7 pm (both days) came far too quickly.
There is a special gallery of my photos from this adventure. Please feel free to look, 'tis a small sampling as I took lots of photos while I was at KCRF.
Anyhow, I was scheduled to leave Kansas Monday Sep. 29, about 11 am, but my bus was three hours late... oh my! I returned to Michigan on Tuesday Sep. 30 about 11 am, after a somewhat exciting journey; safely and rather tired, but very happy at how it all worked out.
I'm beginning plans now to return to KCRF next year. Many thanks to all of you, good gentles.
Report on KCRF... part 1
So I made the journey from Michigan to Kansas and back successfully with assistance from Greyhound; however I'm very tired. *sigh*
The weather was excellent, those native to Kansas didn't seem to have much trouble with the heat and what I thought was a lack of breeze, but there was something different about what hot is like in the land of Kansas compared to what I've known in Michigan.
The people were FANTASTIC!! I'll be posting pictures from my ventures to Canterbury with a more complete post about this journey in a few days.