Press Release - Thursday, June 16, 2005
Press Releases
No Data
OLDE ENGLISH FAIRE JUNE 18-19 AT JUBILEE COLLEGE
BRIMFIELD, IL— Jousting, fencing, magicians, strolling minstrels and various forms of revelry will be featured at the 33rd Annual Olde English Faire, an annual Renaissance festival being held Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19, at Jubilee College State Historic Site near Brimfield.
The event features costumed participants, displays and activities from Medieval Europe, where knights jousted on horseback and a man's home really was his castle. Each day of the Faire begins with the Grande March, held Saturday at 10 a.m. and Sunday at 10:30, where the Faire's King and Queen, knights in shining armor, fair maidens, jugglers, acrobats, minstrels, magicians, beggars, puppeteers and dancers all enter and declare the opening of the day's festivities.
The Society for Creative Anachronism, a worldwide not-for-profit organization dedicated to recreating the atmosphere of Medieval England, will present a "Tournament of Arms" immediately following the Grande March and again at 3:30 p.m. Society members wear full armor and engage in mock combat for the hand of a fair maiden. Wooden swords, axes and bludgeons are used so even the "losers" may vie in the future for fair maidens.
The Order of St. Sebastian, a group that recreates the lives of English longbowmen, returns to this year's Faire. The Order recreates the daily activities, military equipment, clothing, food and camps of military archers who served under Edward III, King of England from 1330 to 1390. They will hold qualifying archery competitions each day at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., with the finals at 4 p.m.
Knights of the Silver Sword will joust on horseback at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Rather than unhorsing their
opponents, the Knights, from the Chicago area, try to make the opposing knight's armor audibly "ring" so participants and their horses may return unscathed for further jousting.
An Olde English Faire wouldn't be complete without some swordplay and the Renaissance Sword Theater from Topeka, Kansas will provide Scottish, English, Italian and French characters of all ages to add ambiance to the event. The Shattock Schoole of Defense, led by Jason Tipsword, will demonstrate and teach the art of fencing with a comic twist.
Acrobat Dan Looker will return for his second year at the Olde English Faire along with the improvisational comedy performances of "Commedia dell ‘Arte."
No visit to the Olde English Faire would be complete without hearing the renaissance vocals and music provided by the Faire's troubadour, Owain Phyfe, accompanied by Judy Plester on violin, Rio Blue on percussion, and Conrad Garcia.
Royal entertainment will be provided both days by magicians, dancers, storytellers, musicians, jugglers, stilt and rope walkers, arcade games, tarot card and palm readers, face painting, and rent-a-garb for photo opportunities. The Faire's tent-lined avenues will harbor a goodly number of merchants selling Renaissance wares such as armor, calligraphy, herbs, baskets, drinking horns, magic talismans, costumes and jewelry. Food and drink will be available, including such Medieval delicacies as pippins, scones, crumpets, trenchers and crepes, in addition to more "modern" repasts. The children's area will include activities such as games, face painting, a petting zoo, man-powered rides and pony and camel rides.
A parking fee of $7 per car and $15 per bus will be charged, with proceeds used to defray the costs associated with the Faire.
The Olde English Faire is cosponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov) which administers Jubilee College, and the Citizens' Committee to Preserve Jubilee College, with assistance from the Society for Creative Anachronism and the Brimfield Area Men's Club.
Jubilee College State Historic Site, the remnants of an 1839 Episcopal seminary, is located 15 miles northwest of Peoria near Kickapoo. From Interstate 74, take the Kickapoo exit north to State Route 150, then turn west and follow the signs.
olde english faire
Jubilee College State Historic Site
June 18 & 19, 2005 -- 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
10:00 Sat. Grande March & Tournament of Arms, List Area
10:30 Sun Grande March & Tournament of Arms, List Area
10:30 a.m. Order of St. Sebastian—Archery Competition Qualifying Round #1, Archery Range
11:00 a.m. Pava's Caravan—Middle Eastern Dance, Pava's Caravan
11:00 p.m. Dan Looker--Acrobat, Acrobat Area
11:00 a.m. Troupe Zahava—Middle Eastern Dance, Dance Circle
11:30 a.m. Knights of the Silver Sword—Jousting on Horseback, Jousting Arena
12:00 p.m. Renaissance Sword Theatre—Live Steel Combat, Live Steel Area
12:00 p.m. Shattock School of Defence—Fencing Demonstrations, Fencing Area
12:00 p.m. Candy Trebuchet—Candy Catapult—Kids Only!, Near Info. Booth
12:00 p.m. Troupe Rakset al-Nehri—Middle Eastern Dance, Dance Circle
12:00 p.m. i Scandali—Commedia dell' Arte improvised Comedy Performances, Stage II
12:15 p.m. Magic by Corey, Stage I
1:00 p.m. Different Drummer -Middle Eastern Dance, Dance Circle
1:00 p.m. Start of Something—Madrigal Singers, Stage II
1:00 p.m. Owain Phyfe—Renaissance Vocals & Music, Stage I
1:30 p.m. Dance Performance—Andreana
1:30 p.m. Pava's Caravan—Middle Eastern Dance, Pava's Caravan
2:00 p.m. Order of St. Sebastian—Archery Competition Qualifying Round #2, Archery Range
2:00 p.m. Renaissance Sword Theatre—Live Steel Combat, Live Steel Area
2:00 p.m. Mistress Caroline—Storyteller, Stage I
2:00 p.m. Troupe Rakset al Nehri—Middle Eastern Dance, Dance Circle
2:15 p.m. i Scandali—Commedia dell' Arte improvised Comedy Performances, Stage II
2:30 p.m. Knights of the Silver Sword—Jousting on Horseback, Jousting Arena
2:30 p.m. Shattock School of Defence—Fencing Demonstrations, Fencing Area
2:45 p.m. Magic by Corey, Stage I
3:00 p.m. Candy Trebuchet—Candy Catapult—Kids Only!, Near Info. Booth
3:00 p.m. Pava's Caravan—Middle Eastern Dance, Pava's Caravan
3:00 p.m. Troupe Rakset al-Nehri—Middle Eastern Dance, Dance Circle
3:15 p.m. Dan Looker--Acrobat, Acrobat Area
3:30 p.m. Renaissance Sword Theatre—Live Steel Combat, Live Steel Area
3:30 p.m. Tournament of Arms, List Area
4:00 p.m. Owain Phyfe—Renaissance Vocals & Music, Stage I
4:30 p.m. Dance Performance--Andreana
4:00 p.m. Order of St. Sebastian—Archery Competition Final Round, Archery Range
4:00 p.m. Different Drummer -Middle Eastern Dance, Dance Circle
4:00 p.m. Start of Something—Madrigal Singers, Stage II
4:00 p.m. Shattock School of Defence—Fencing Demonstrations, Fencing Area
Press Releases
No Data