Taking Us Back To Medieval Times...
By Darkwing
@Darkwing (21583)
June 21, 2007 6:08am CST
Now is the time for summer fetes and village days, and my village holds a themed village day each year. They have all the fete stalls during the day, starting at around midday, including bottl stalls, hoopla, tombolas, wellie tossing, coconut shies, and such like.
Then, in the evening, the marquee, or beer tent is continued as a bar, but there's a barbecue and live music to suit the theme and fun is had by all. Strawberries and cream are also available throughout the day, as this day is normally organised for the last Saturday in June, or first in July.
I don't remember seeing the posters telling the theme this year, but last year, it was Medieval. Naturally, there is a fancy dress competition and all the parents and kids alike join in to make the day, by making the effort to wear period costumes. There's one thing to be said for my village; everybody mixes in together for local events and fundraising... which is great! There was also a mock Medieval Battle, and several other olde worlde amusements during the afternoon and early evening.
The day starts with a fancy dress competition, held at the local pub, and contestants then parade up the street to the rec, where the event is held... led by a Town Cryer. The Town Cryer rings his bell, and shouts the words Oyez, Oyez as he leads the costumed villagers up the street, followed by news of the event and calling all villagers to attend. Once they arrive at the rec, the fete will be opened, usually by a well-known celebrity, if possible... one from closeby. We have a few living in and around the village. We have John Snow, ex-Sussex Cricketer, Peter Bonetti, ex-Chelsea goalkeeper, Jimmy Hill, whom most will know from Match of the Day and several painters and such like.
From then on, the street is lined with parked cars belonging to people attending the Village Day. It's normally very well attended, as is our School Fete. People will come for the afternoon, then go home for a quick shower and change, to return for the evening, when they all have great fun, young and old alike.
Do you have special days like this near where you live, and if so, what type of days do you have?
2 people like this
5 responses
@kayrod2 (1304)
• Australia
23 Jun 07
As i was reading your post, i felt myself being there. (of course only in my mind, but dreams are allowed). How i would love to be involved in such a wonderful event. I believe i would surely love it. Our town is only small, and i have only been here 9 months, but we do have a some events the whole town mixes at. They have an annual race day, where the community get together. It is a big fund raiser for the local preschool. It is a real country atmosphere. There is also a town christmas party. The main street is blocked off, there is stalls, mini train for the kids, music, kids doing their circus acts. Crayfish races. It is a wonderful afternoon and evening. Then, on christmas eve, the fire engines come out and pick up the kids and take them on the back for a ride around town. Then santa comes with lollies and ice blocks. The kids love it.
Best wishes to you, darkwing, and have a wondeful time.
@Darkwing (21583)
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23 Jun 07
Yes, dreams are allowed in my world, certainly! I live on them. lol.
Your events sound great... perhaps suggest that you go back in time for one of your Christmas parties. We do sometimes, but then we have to hold ours indoors because we're in our cold season when you're in the height of summer. I'll bet the kids really enjoy that!
Brightest Blessings! +
(In fact, I haven't stated in every response, but I think everybody deserves a + rating in here, for their input... so here I go, button pushing!) lol.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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24 Jun 07
It sounds as though you have great fun at Christmas in the hot weather. I can't imagine Christmas as anything other than cold and frosty, sat by a nice log fire, with candles burning to increase the light. I suppose it's what you get used to my friend. :-)
1 person likes this
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
23 Jun 07
Here in Oregon we have the rose festival. it starts early but most things happen the end of may and first part of june. All the high schools elect a rose queen. For the royal rose court. Then we have a huge rose parade. The floats are lovely. There is also a fun center that hangs around for a week with rides and things like a carnival would have. The ships come in from the ocean into the city. They travel down the Willamette river Its so cool to see them. There is also the star light parade and the children's parade.
I would love to see your village days. i bet that is so cool.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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23 Jun 07
Oh wow... your Rose Festival sounds beautiful. I would have liked to have been there to see that, but figured it would be a bit too hot for me at that time of year, and came in Fall. What a pity I missed out on that!
Thank you very much for such a detailed response, Snow. + rating. Brightest Blessings.
@GardenGerty (160697)
• United States
21 Jun 07
We have hit festival season here as well, and it will continue until the end of September. That is just out town. May brings All School's Day. Originally started to celebrate eighth grade graduates, it now celebrates everything associated with schools, from pre school to college. A carnival comes to town and opens up on Monday, and is open every evening. We have a fly by of jets, or antique planes or whatever. The flags all come by.Schools and groups make floats according to the theme, bands are invited, dignitaries and candidates ride in cars at the front of the parade. We have shriners, and antique cars, bicycles, motor cycles, a marching trash crew and lastly the horses. That is for May. Our next big festival is the Scottish festival. My town, McPherson, has chosen to capitalize on the Scottish heritage of its name, McPherson. We have clan tents, and Irish and Scottish sport, they have a formal dinner before, where I believe the Haeggis is presented. There are dog exhibitions, and drama and dancers, and harpists, and melodramas. People sell jewelry and clan garb, and fine steel and jewelry. There are sheep displays and working dogs. That is at the end of September. That same weekend we often have a museum day where the things of the prairie culture are celebrated at the local museum. Skills like weaving, and soap making, and tanning, and churning. There is a Velocipede usually. I believe that if I were to drive less than thirty miles in all directions I would be able to attend a festival every weekend.
@Darkwing (21583)
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23 Jun 07
Wow... your home town certainly lays on a lot of attractions for summertime. You make it sound wonderful... you could start your own discussion with that. Thank you so much for putting so much effort into your response, which I'm awarding a + rating for, just because it's so detailed, and I can imagine the activities.
Brightest Blessings to you for a great summer!
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
23 Jun 07
Gee that sounds wonderful Darkwing. How many people live in your village. I'd love to participate in something like that but the folk here are very apathetic. It's always the same old handful doing the same old thing.
We always have a mother's day dinner...just dinner, no music or dancing and only about 20 or so turn up. I tried to suggest an Asian theme for the meals but was told most people won't eat it. I still cooked my fried rice and also was asked to do apricot chicken...both were polished off very quickly.
We also have a Melbourne Cup day here. I haven't attended that luncheon yet as I was away last year. The Melbourne cup is our most famous horse race and finishes of the racing carnival which is held over several weeks. It's a day of fashion, fun and fancy hats for the women. Lots of money is bet on the horses as for some it's the one day where they'll have a punt. It's a public holiday in Victoria but not the other states. Even still many businesses have a Melbourne cup luncheon for the staff and they have a bit of a party. The nation comes to a standstill as everyone watches the race on telly.
@Darkwing (21583)
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23 Jun 07
Your Melbourne Cup Day sounds like our Ascot week. Royal Ascot is a racetrack and they have a week long meeting, with a ladies' day, when all these curious hats are on display.
Hey, friend... if they won't join in with your organisation skills there, you can always come to the village and lend a hand here. You'll probably get more response!!! lol. I like the sound of some of your ideas.
Brightest Blessings.
@mummyofthree (2715)
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22 Jun 07
Unfortunately we don't have anything like that here. But I remember as a child (I used to live in Ramsgate,Kent), we used to have a big Victorian Street Fair. Went on all weekend and was absolutely amazing.
The street it was in was literally the next street to mine. It was like stepping back in time.
1 person likes this
@Darkwing (21583)
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23 Jun 07
Oh yes, the Victorian theme sounds great! In fact, I think we've had that one too, and on Silver Jubilee day our street was closed and lined with tables, for a street party. Bunting was hung all along the edge of gardens, so as to line the street and there were Union Flages hanging outside all the windows... that was a good day too.
Brightest Blessings.
