The Huon Valley Medieval Festival and Renaissance Fair took place at the Castle Forbes Bay Recreation Grounds over the weekend of August 8. Festivities began with a harpist welcoming diners to a seven-course medieval feast, accompanied by a Hungarian jester.
The festival was a first for the Huon Valley and an unusual sight at the recreation grounds. Organised by two local couples, Carl and Bree, and Kirrilee and Shaw, it took six months to plan and just six days for tickets to sell out.
One of the biggest logistical challenges was getting 1000 people a day to Castle Forbes Bay, where parking is limited and public transport almost non-existent. Shuttle buses were arranged and the event ran smoothly. Even when the coffee machine broke down on Saturday morning, the organisers continued to enjoy the festivities (and organised a replacement to be rushed to the site).
The festival featured a wide array of market stalls, horseback displays, face painting, knights in combat, archery, music on strange instruments and plenty of happy people of all ages.
The organisers considered the inaugural festival a successful prototype. They took notes throughout the weekend on what could be improved next time – and are already promising an event that will be bigger and better.
