Pinedale Renaissance Faire
by Terry Allen
September 12, 2016
Residents and visitors to Pinedale enjoyed the 1st Annual Renaissance Faire on the Pinedale Library grounds on Saturday, Sept. 10. Local musicians strolled the grounds with guitar, mandolin, violin and drums; as visitors partook of games, crafts, food and drink, sword fighting, tug of war, fortune telling, belly dancing, falconry, stick horses, Nerf archery, face painting, portrait photography, artisans, Knights, Princesses, fairies, Vikings, wenches, monks, pirates and dragons.
Falconry is the ancient art of hunting with a bird of prey. Kalen Pearson who has been a Falconer for six years, brought close to a dozen different varieties of Falcon to exhibit. "We use these Falcons as a form of bird abatement," she said. "Wild bird flocks can sweep in and decimate a fruit orchard very quickly, so we bring in our Falcons to drive them off." In case you are wondering, a Falcon can live up to 35 years.
Ken Marincic showed up wearing chain mail armour made of beer pull tabs. "Jason and his college friends bought the beer," he said.
Steve Kipp showed up dressed in heavy leather and steel, representing the Society of Creative Anachronisms. "We are into heavy combat with swords, shield, spear and axe," he said. "I got involved in this 15 years ago in college."
Dave Hohl had Molly on a leash and was trying to make ten cents off everyone who pet her. He didn't have any takers, so he said he was going to change his sign to "Pet Dave, Ten Cents" and see if that worked better.
There was a cat walk runway for all who came in costume; and they were judged. A Queen and her Royal Cat were in total character...and I apologize for not getting your names, girls. You really nailed it!
There was plenty to eat and drink. Beer, mead, sodas, water, b-b-q, cookies and huge turkey legs.
Maike Tan made flower garlands and with about an hour left, they had all been sold.
Local Gladiators John and Jacob Hegardt battled back and forth on their combat stage until the sweat poured off them and their knuckles very covered with bumps, blisters and blood. "We don't do much choreography," said John. "We don't have a particular style, but we use some Iron Guard, Guard of the Hawk; and we do tons of research."
Young Margaret Rife wore the traditional Norwegian costume her Mother wore as a girl, which had also been worn by her Mother, Margaret's Grandmother.
Joni Mack looked particularly authentic in her costume as "A Woman of Nobility," she said. "This little thing that wraps around under my chin is called a Wimple. It is worn by married women as a modesty accessory."
Thanks to Beth Edwards for helping me with a costume so I could go undercover at this event. Thank you to Dawn Ballou at Pinedale Online for sponsoring this photo-story. If you would like to sponsor me to cover your event, I promise you I'll turn out photos every bit as nice as these!
The photos on this story are low resolution and you are welcome to share them among yourselves. I do sell full resolution prints for a reasonable price.
Text me: 307-231-65355 or email: txpartisan@gmail.com
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